A revolutionary new aircraft that could change how we travel forever is set to take flight this year - and it doesn't need a runway, a helipad, or even a garage.

Sigma is a sleek, futuristic eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft from aerospace startup AltoVolo that's designed to launch directly from your driveway, rooftop - or even a yacht. With no need for airports or vertiports, this is truly the personal aircraft of the future.

Designed for point-to-point travel, the Sigma eliminates the hassle of public infrastructure. Step inside, push a button, and within moments you could be hovering over the neighbourhood, ready to cruise above the traffic. That's thanks to its patent-pending tilting jet propulsion system, which combines electric battery power for takeoff and landing with a liquid fuel engine for longer distances.

Wrapped in a sleek 4.8-metre-wide airframe and weighing just 980kg, the Sigma has a cruising speed of 220 miles per hour and can hit a top speed of 290 mph. The hybrid power system allows it to fly up to 510 miles on a single trip, or 260 miles in electric-only mode.

It can hover in place for 15 minutes and carry a payload of up to 270kg - enough for three passengers and luggage. Its maximum flight ceiling is 10,000 feet, and at takeoff, it emits just 65 to 70 decibels of noise at 100 metres - quieter than a lawnmower - making it suitable for use in residential areas.

In emergencies, the aircraft can maintain flight even if one of its jet units fails. And if things go truly wrong, there's a ballistic parachute system that can deploy from as low as 50 feet, a rare and reassuring feature for an aircraft this size.

AltoVolo has successfully completed flight testing of its prototype and is now preparing to construct a full-scale demonstrator. The company plans to open a waitlist this July for early reservations of Sigma.