Imagine you have a flight to catch and it takes 15 minutes to get to the airport. You book an ‘air taxi’ instead of an ‘Ola cab’. The air taxi stops outside your apartment. The doors close silently and your ride rises into the air with a humming sound. The electric motor transports the flying taxi through the air — quietly and with no emissions. A brief stop at the terminal and you are transferred to the hybrid aircraft, which takes off on time and flies off with significantly reduced emissions. 

The future technologies are being evolved such that they ease the problems of the present. The future holds dozens of aircraft projects which are ready for takeoff by 2030 at the latest. The question is not if, but when electric aircraft will be common.

Kitty Hawk’s ultra-quiet electric flying machine

Do you know that the Aviation startup Kitty Hawk, which is backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, has unveiled its

third electric aircraft, the Heaviside (or HVSD)?

Named after renowned physicist and electrical engineer Oliver Heaviside, the HVSD is an electric aircraft designed to go anywhere. The aircraft is pretty tiny and flies like a plane but is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) like a helicopter. Because of its size, it doesn’t require a large runway or giant helipad and its lightweight nature makes it energy efficient. It is roughly 100 times quieter than a helicopter, and it can travel 55 miles in around 15 minutes.

But this compact flying car seats only one at present and there are a few below-listed pros and cons before it becomes commercial.  

Benefits of electric flying

An aircraft produces nitric oxide, water vapour, and fine particulates and emits CO2.  The emissions not only have an impact on the environment, but they also have an adverse effect on our health.  Electrically driven aircraft are beneficial for the environment. An on-board battery that is charged with electricity is the source of energy for an electric aircraft.  So, as opposed to conventional airplanes, e-aircraft produce no emissions. If the electricity comes from renewable sources, they are completely CO2-neutral.

The takeoff and landing of conventional airplanes are responsible for enormous noise pollution.  In comparison, the electric aircraft are much quieter because on their takeoff, propulsion is not delivered by loud jet engines but by low-noise electric motors.

Electric motors are less prone to breakdowns. They consist of much fewer

 If you are moving to a university abroad for an exchange programme, the following tips could help the transition to a new academic and cultural environment easier for you.

That Eureka moment when you see the mail confirming your spot for the student exchange program abroad, your pulse starts racing, and euphoria courses through your body. You probably feel a mixture of is-this-for- real to an anxious how-am-I-going-to-get-everything-done? Many good universities in India collaborate with international universities to facilitate student exchange programs and internships to equip their students with a cosmopolitan outlook. If you are amongst the selected few to have made it to your dream university to study abroad, then pat yourself on the back. Congratulations! You are on a boat most people only dream about. Being an exchange student, however, is not all fun and frolic. You must prepare yourself for the challenge of an uncharted journey. Keeping the following things in mind can make the journey easy for you.

1. Take first month’s supply with you and shop for essentials

You don’t want to wake up in the morning in a foreign country and not find your toothpaste! It’s always advisable to carry the essential groceries at least for the first month so that you don't have to run to a supermarket the first thing. While packing the trendiest outfits may be a priority for you, don’t forget to pack a universal adaptor, a portable charger, and other essentials. This is most likely to save you the trouble of rushing to the market immediately after arrival, give you time to settle at the university, and savor the moment of your triumph.

2. Do your research well

Look for information online, and talk to students who have been on the semester exchange earlier for useful tips. You can save money and spare yourself several headaches by doing so. For example, some countries waive off travel insurance, if you have travel insurance from your home country. Finer points like these help you save money.

3. Stay connected with your family

Moving abroad can mean expensive international calls back home. Before you move out, research the networks that offer special ISD plans like bundle packs. Another effective way of getting around the problem is train your family in using calling platforms like Skype and WhatsApp, if they are not technology friendly. 

4. Be Prepared to change your learning curve

Be mentally prepared to experience a different classroom culture in your host country, which could be as different from your own as chalk from cheese. In Western universities, students and teachers share an informal and relaxed relationship. Learning is student-centric and the professor’s role is more of a guide who nudges you in a direction, rather than an orator who dictates your choices and responses. At universities abroad, learning is a combination of discussions, presentations, and assignments, rather than lectures. Adapting to new ways of learning could initially be a challenge but being prepared for it will make the transition easier for you.

5. Be sensitive to cultural differences

Don’t forget that as an exchange student, you are a guest in your host

country so be sensitive to the cultural nuances and respect them. Make an effort to understand the new culture, keep patience and don’t be quick to judge. Keep your eyes open, and observe closely, and most importantly don’t hesitate to say a quick sorry. Good breeding will always keep you in good stead.

6. Embrace your uniqueness

While it’s important you respect your host country’s culture and try to blend in, but don’t try too hard to fit in. Don't be shy to be who you are, and wear your uniqueness with pride. Don’t wear it on your sleeve, but don’t bury it altogether under layers of embarrassment. Carry your own culture with you, as it is an expression of your roots. Be confident in the way you look, the way you talk, and what you wear. It’s beautiful to be different.