First Jetson One goes to tech founder, marking milestone for personal aviation

It might not be quite as futuristic-looking as George Jetson’s spaceship-like flying car from the classic 1960s cartoon, but the Jetson One single-seat octocopter is still pretty wild. And unlike the animated version, this one is real — and, amazingly, now in the hands of its first customer. The Swedish-founded startup Jetson has delivered the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Jetson One to Oculus and Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey in California. The milestone marks Jetson’s shift from concept to commercialization and underscores its ambitions to expand in the US with a product that has an open-air cockpit and therefore might be thought of as less a flying car and more a flying motorcycle. 

The handover took place in Carlsbad, California, where Jetson’s co-founder and chief technology officer Tomasz Patan and chief executive officer Stephan D’haene supervised the unboxing, pre-flight checks, and initial training. Jetson said Luckey, an aviation enthusiast and longtime supporter of new technologies, completed Jetson’s abbreviated ground school in under 50 minutes before flying a series of low-altitude maneuvers. 

“This delivery is more than a milestone — it’s a statement,” D’haene said. “Launching our first Jetson One with Palmer Luckey, a visionary who has reshaped both consumer and defense technology, sets the tone for what Jetson represents: innovation, freedom, and the future of mobility.” 

For Patan, the occasion was the culmination of years of work. He recalled that Luckey had reserved an aircraft early in the development of the Jetson One. “Originally scheduled for early 2023, the delivery took a bit longer than anticipated,” Patan said. “We were transparent throughout, and Palmer appreciated the updates. He often commented, ‘Take your time and do it right.’” 

Luckey received one of 100 limited Founders Edition Jetson Ones. The version he purchased features a two-tone white and carbon finish, LED lighting, removable batteries with built-in gauges, and a numbered plaque on the headrest. Interior touches include leather upholstery and a custom welcome screen. Jetson also provides practical extras such as smart chargers, a carbon dolly for ground handling, and branded covers. 

The aircraft is priced around $128,000, according to Business Insider, and the company’s order backlog spans until at least 2027. Early buyers, the company said, are paying not only for exclusivity but also for the chance to be first to experience what could become a new category of recreational aviation. 

Jetson traces its origins to 2017, when Patan built the first prototype in Poland. By 2022, the company had shifted production to Italy, where manufacturing of the Jetson One commenced. Since then, more than 500 customers have signed up to purchase the unique aircraft. Now, the company is setting up training operations and headquarters facilities in California, part of a broader US expansion strategy. 

The Jetson One weighs 250 pounds and falls under ultralight regulations in the United States, meaning no pilot’s license is required. Its design incorporates eight electric motors, lightweight aluminum and carbon construction, and redundant safety systems including a ballistic parachute. Flight time is up to 20 minutes, depending on pilot weight and conditions. 

Luckey’s involvement gives the Jetson program a powerful endorsement. At just 19, he founded Oculus, later acquired by Meta-owned Facebook, and went on to launch defense-tech firm Anduril, which has grown into a multibillion-dollar business. His decision to become the first Jetson One owner aligns with his reputation for embracing cutting-edge technologies. 

For Jetson, having a high-profile technologist take delivery of its very first aircraft may help attract attention beyond aviation circles. The company plans additional deliveries in the US and Europe in coming months, with the goal of making short, recreational flights in the Jetson One commonplace. 

“The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible in personal transportation,” the company said. 

While the Jetson One is clearly not a flying car that kids and adults alike have long imagined from the Jetsons’ cartoons, it does represent a tangible step toward the goals of making personal aerial mobility accessible.  

As D’haene put it, “Jetson’s mission is to make everyone a pilot, and today we took a giant step closer to that future.” The post First Jetson One goes to tech founder, marking milestone for personal aviation appeared first on AeroTime.

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