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CNN Live At Daybreak

Why Not Fly to Work Every Morning?

Aired July 05, 2001 - 07:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: Maybe you're about to leave for work this morning. If you're like a lot of people, though, you face crowded freeways. But what if you could escape all that traffic as you fly from your home to your job? Well, it may not be as farfetched as you might think.

Here's CNN's Richard Quest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The Cessna 172 is the most popular private plane. But move over, this could be the future: the new ultralight two-seater from Germany.

It's simple, easy to operate and is a fraction of the cost, around $45,000. Operating it, too, is much cheaper than its older rivals.

Up in the air and on our way -- the ultralight plane looks and acts like any other. It's just the economics that are different: new lightweight structures; a cheaper engine that runs on unleaded fuel; and quicker licensing requirements.

It means a pilot can qualify in 30 hours instead of the usual 45. Barry Bayes has already sold the first five kits in Britain. He expects to sell five every other month for the foreseeable future.

BARRY BAYES, ENTREPRENEUR: The biggest benefit is the cost of operating and the amount it costs the economy of operating it. It uses green petrol from a garage. That's normally unleaded petrol, 95 octane. And it's very economic to fly.

In fact, we've just sold our first five kits this weekend. And three of the -- three of the five are business people and two of them intend to fly to the Continent on a regular basis with this aircraft.

QUEST: And for those worried about safety, the plane has an extra device: a rocket-powered parachute that, if things go wrong, will help it glide safely back to ground.

(on camera): If everyone is right, then this plane could revolutionize private aviation. After all, who wouldn't want to have their own private plane for the price of a second car?

Richard Quest, CNN, Cranfield Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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