Flying high with the Cobalt CO50 Valkyrie
The traditional depiction of the Norse valkyrie is that of a warrior woman astride a magnificent steed sweeping across the skies as she ferries the souls of chosen warriors fallen in battle to Valhalla, the hall of the slain, to serve Odin as he prepares for the end of the world, Ragnarök.
Squint your eyes a little closer and you can see the same evocations as the Cobalt CO50 Valkyrie streaks across the sky. A private plane quite unlike any other, the Valkyrie draws inspiration not from the silver arrow template of the Concorde, but from classic fighter jets. The result is an intimidating, almost menacing aircraft, looking like something Bruce Wayne would clamber into once he slips into in his armoured Batsuit.
It would make good time too, if The Joker was on the other side of Gotham wrecking havoc. The Valkyrie is the fastest private aircraft in its single piston engine class; other planes in this category generally tap out at 242 knots (448 km/h). The Valkyrie can blast past that, hitting 260 knots (481.5 km/h), with space for five people (including the pilot) and ample space to haul along golf clubs, skis, suitcases or the latest in Batman’s utility gadgets.
At speeds comfortably exceeding a Formula 1 Car, the question of safety might arise. Fear not. The Valkyrie is conscientious maiden, being a canard aircraft, with a forewing installed ahead of the main wing, providing greater stability, safety and manoeuvrability. She’s quiet too; the propulsion engine is in the rear, keeping the cabin – with its hand-stitched leather seats by former Hermès craftsmen – silent and hushed. Controls have been distilled into a glass touchscreen, with an iPad holder and sidestick flight controls. Because with that view – 320 degrees of aerial vista afforded by the F16-like, raised canopy – all you want to do is appreciate the sight of the heavens.
Prototypes are already in flight testing, ahead of certification by aviation authorities, and Cobalt is confident of delivering its first Valkyries by summer 2017. Pre-orders are now open at Cobalt Aircraft (www.cobalt-aircraft.com), secured with a US$15,000 (RM64,500) deposit. The Cobalt CO50 Valkyrie will cost US$699,000 (RM3 million) in full.
Swanky. Now Valkyrie, take me to the skies above.
