Ocean travel with 'billion-dollar aircraft' worth billions of dollars

Dissatisfied with super yachts and private planes, wealthy individuals can give themselves an airplane that can fly underwater.

Showcased at the Monaco yacht exhibition, the DeepFlight Super Falcon underwater plane costs $ 1.7 million each. Designed by maritime engineer Graham Hawkes, this unique aircraft is like a device in Spy 007.

In fact, Mantis, one of Graham Hawkes' designs, was used in the film "For Your Eyes Only", part of the Spy 007 series. Hawkes originally designed diving ships for the oil industry. gas and army, then he realized that he could develop technology that could fly underwater.

With a wingspan of 2.6m, and the ability to dive to a depth of nearly 500m, Super Falcon can "fly" underwater using "up and down" movements, not sinking and floating like traditional submarines. This special aircraft can float even though it can move at a depth of 4 to 5 knots per hour. When it is deactivated (or fails) it will float to the surface.

Hawkes shared that, unlike conventional submarines, Super Falcon is quite quiet, it attracts marine life and not scare them. Super Falcon will be marketed at the Monaco yacht show that is in public, according to Hawkes who has "significant" interest from potential customers.

Super Falcon can carry two people, potential customers can order a three-person model. If you can't afford it, you can hire Super Falcon for $ 10,000 a day. Jordan's King Abdullah II hired a Super Falcon for six days and invited local dignitaries and students to board.

The Super Falcon pilot training program costs $ 15,000 for three days and it is Hawkes who will hand over the certificate. He said that actual underwater flight is a new concept and very difficult to adjust. You may face many risks at the bottom of the ocean. There are many threats that you cannot anticipate.

Driving compartment of Super Falcon

Super Falcon is equipped with an emergency "airbag" to activate it to help the ship quickly float to the surface, it supports 24-hour life, although its battery only maintains energy for eight hours of operation.

The goal of Super Falcon is the billionaires, Hawkes hopes to see it at luxury resorts.