By Codelia Mantsebo

Inspired by classic fighter jets with simplicity and premium finishes, the Valkyrie impresses with understated elegance. The stylish five-seater, with its distinctive small front wing and super sleek aerodynamics is the fastest and safest private aircraft in its class.

Designed with a turbocharged 350hp engine, the Valkyrie can hit speeds of up to 300mph, while carrying five adult passengers plus luggage. This makes Valkyrie the fastest single engine piston plane in its category with the ability to travel up to 260 knots, in contrast to other single engine piston aircrafts, usually with a speed limit of 242 knots.

While hitting top speeds, Valkyrie is also a safe aircraft, equipped with a canard – a smaller forewing near its nose – in front of the main wing. The extra wing creates a new, added source of lift, to help prevent mid-air stalls. An onboard parachute is also provided for an additional sense of security.

Cobalt claims Valkyrie has the largest single-piece canopy in the world. With unrivaled visibility, the aircraft has a forward-tilting glass roof which provides the pilot and passengers with expansive visibility and a 320-degree view.

Cobalt CEO David Loury said he wanted build a plane that was easier and safer to fly.

“Ten years ago, I had a vision to disrupt the aviation industry with an innovative private aircraft, that is not only technologically sound and safe, but also design-centric and luxurious”, said Loury.

The interior features premium leather seats, hand stitched by former Hermes craftsmen. The dashboard design is equally impressive with only one on/off switch and a specific docking space for a tablet, while the exterior comes in a range of custom finishes. The Valkyrie’s propulsion engine is positioned in the rear of the plane, allowing for a quiet, comfortable cabin.

Cobalt will exclusively manufacture the Valkyrie in California to ensure quality standards, fast delivery to early buyers and modern customer service.

The Valkyrie-X, an “experimental” version, will only be available in the US, while the CO50 is fully certified and will be sold worldwide. The CO50, priced at $699,000 has an estimated delivery time of mid-2017 while the Valkyrie-X, priced at $595,000 has a production time of six months from ordering. A $15,000 deposit is required with every pre-order for the Co50 Valkyrie.