Aircraft of the future poised to transform how we travel

Swiss-made plane tipped for use by police and emergency services could become an everyday sight

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  The Ann planes from Swiss firm Manta could transform personal transport. Courtesy: Manta

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  The Ann series planes by Manta could change the way we travel. Courtesy: Manta

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  The Ann aircraft from Swiss firm Manta has been designed to take off like a helicopter. Courtesy: Manta

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  A 10-foot long model of the Ann plane that has been designed with a view to being a personal transport. Courtesy: Manta

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  A model of the Manta Ann plane that comes in one and two seater editions. Courtesy: Manta

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  A model of the plane that has been tipped by industry insiders to change the face of personal transport. Courtesy: Manta

This sleek electric plane could become part of everyday life in future after being tipped for use by police, taxis, ambulance services as well as search-and-rescue teams.

The electric aircraft can take off like a helicopter and land like a plane on runways as short as 100 metres.

Swiss company Manta is behind the futuristic-looking aircraft, which comes in single and double-seat configurations.

The aircraft, known as the Ann-1 (single seat) and the two-seater Ann-2, have a cruising spend of just under 300kph and a range of more than 600km.

The Ann-1 is designed for “personal mobility” and was described as a racer craft that offered extreme performance.

Manta has also designed the range with a view to the Ann planes becoming widely used as a shuttle craft to and from superyachts.

The Anns are equipped with small, fuel-driven generators that create electricity to make the batteries last longer and speed up the recharging process.

The plane is still in the testing phase, with the public being given a taste of what to expect from a three-metre scale model.