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Ultra-Light Personal Aircraft Developed, Can Fly without License

A US company aims to sell short recreational flights later this year in a one-seat electric aircraft. (Reuters)
A US company aims to sell short recreational flights later this year in a one-seat electric aircraft. (Reuters)
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Ultra-Light Personal Aircraft Developed, Can Fly without License

A US company aims to sell short recreational flights later this year in a one-seat electric aircraft. (Reuters)
A US company aims to sell short recreational flights later this year in a one-seat electric aircraft. (Reuters)

A US company aims to sell short recreational flights later this year in a one-seat electric aircraft it has designed that can be controlled by a joystick without requiring a pilot's license.

It is one of the startups vying with aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus to develop electric "vertical takeoff and landing" aircraft.

Many models resemble unmanned aerial drones, only much larger and with seats for passengers.

According to Reuters, LIFT Aircraft may end up being the first to sell pleasure rides in such a vehicle, because it says the aircraft is light enough to be considered an "ultralight" vehicle by the Federal Aviation Authority.

Ultra-light vehicles, a category that includes hang gliders, can be flown by someone without a license under FAA rules.

LIFT says its 18-rotor Hexa aircraft weighs around 196 kg, including floats to allow it to bob on water and a parachute for emergencies. LIFT says the FAA has validated the company's interpretation of the ultra-light regulations for the Hexa.

Matt Chasen, LIFT's founder, said: "We really envision a future where anyone can fly. We truly are on the cusp of a revolution in aviation and it's being brought about by the electrification of aircraft. Much like electric cars are going to be the future of driving, electric aircraft are going to be the future of flying."

Chasen is planning to sell rides near cities around the United States later this year.

Customers would first spend time learning the controls in a simulator before climbing into a Hexa to fly for up to 15 minutes, the maximum amount of time that can be safely allowed by the batteries. The aircraft can fly at speeds of up to 100 km per hour, the maximum allowed for ultra-light aircraft under FAA rules.

An onboard computer system, similar to the "geofencing" technology used in aerial drones, will prevent the aircraft from flying outside the proscribed areas, and will allow for remote control from the ground. And should a need arise, engineers will be able to take over the craft from land.

The FAA bans ultra-light aircraft from flying over built-up areas and they can only be used for sport or recreation.

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Many US Ice Cream Producers to Phase Out Artificial Food Dyes by 2028

Volunteers scoop ice cream before a press conference on the steps of the United States Department of Agriculture on July 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
Volunteers scoop ice cream before a press conference on the steps of the United States Department of Agriculture on July 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Many US Ice Cream Producers to Phase Out Artificial Food Dyes by 2028

Volunteers scoop ice cream before a press conference on the steps of the United States Department of Agriculture on July 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)
Volunteers scoop ice cream before a press conference on the steps of the United States Department of Agriculture on July 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP)

Dozens of US ice cream producers are planning to remove artificial colors from their products by 2028, a dairy industry group and government officials said on Monday.

The producers, which together represent more than 90% of ice cream sold in the US, are the latest food companies to take voluntary steps to remove dyes since Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in April said the US aimed to phase out many synthetic dyes from the country's food supply.

Several major food manufacturers, including General Mills, Kraft Heinz, J.M. Smucker, Hershey and Nestle USA, have previously announced their plans to phase out synthetic food coloring.

The 40 ice cream companies will remove Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 from their retail products, excluding non-dairy products, according to the International Dairy Foods Association.

The IDFA announced the plan at an event at the US Department of Agriculture headquarters on Monday with Kennedy, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.

"We know that our current health outcomes, especially for our children, are unsustainable and that American agriculture is at the heart of the solution to make America healthy again," Rollins said at the event, referencing a slogan aligned with Kennedy.

Rollins and Kennedy have worked closely together on food sector efforts like encouraging states to ban soda from the nation's largest food aid program.

Kennedy has blamed food dyes for rising rates of ADHD and cancer, an area many scientists say requires more research.

The IDFA said artificial dyes are safe, but that ice cream makers are taking the step in part to avoid disruption to sales from state efforts to phase out dyes from school foods and West Virginia's recent food dye ban.