When it was first introduced as a concept, the Airbike was considered little more than the fever dream of sci-fi enthusiasts. It turns out that not only is the Airbike real, but it actually flies—and the company behind it is ready to turn it from a prototype into a production vehicle starting next year.

The single-occupancy flying superbike is powered by a jet engine and can carry one person, reaching speeds of up to 200 km/h. However, to classify the bike as an FAA ultralight, the top speed will be limited to 102 km/h. The Airbike is stabilized through a computerized system that provides automatic hover, making it easier to control for the rider. Given the small fuel tank and extreme weight requirements that limit the amount of fuel available, the Airbike can only fly for about 10 minutes at a time. Also, the thing is seriously loud, as you would expect a jet engine to be.

“It was always my dream to create a personal flying machine so futuristic and iconic that it could be placed on a science fiction movie set," said inventor Tomasz Patan in the press release announcing the first flight of the Airbike. "The challenge was to come up with real-world, reliable core technology that can be shrunk down and wrapped with a functional and bold design. The result is a first-of-its-kind vehicle with incredible performance, stunning looks that actually resembles a sports motorbike. And it is flying!”

Volonaut says that thanks to the Airbike's compact size and lack of spinning propellers, it could travel through most confined areas with ease. However, given the presence of a jet engine, we doubt that riders can simply hop on and take off without proper permits. Despite this, thanks to its specifications and classification, Volonaut maintains that no personal flying license will be necessary to ride the Airbike in the US.