Electric-hybrid planes could be in the air by 2022

Zunum Aero, the Boeing and JetBlue-backed hybrid-electric aviation startup, just set a delivery date for its first next-gen airplanes: 2022. 

The company released the design specs for its debut 12-seat production aircraft, its first major announcement since emerging from stealth mode back in April with big plans to revolutionize the aviation industry.  

The company introduced the hybrid-electric planes with a strategy to cut down today's frustratingly long flight times and expensive ticket costs by focusing on short routes between the US's underutilized system of small regional airports. Zunum claims that its smaller, more fuel efficient crafts could make regional travel much more feasible than today's gas-guzzlers tied to the major airport system.   Read more...