Aerojet

An Aerojet is a small personal carrier that is used by licensed pilots to travel by air whenever they want. The average aerojet is around the size of military training jets from the late 20th century. Being a personal aircraft, most aerojets are designed to only hold one person. Aerojets are very convenient for use, as they can be parked and stored in small spaces, and are quiet while in operation.

Although more restricted near city areas, aerojet owners in rural areas are encouraged to keep their aircraft on their property for ease of use, instead of the nearest runway or airport. City owners need to store their aerojets at designated Landing Yards that are located just outside of major international airports. Due to being accessible from anywhere at any time, pilots must first announce their presence to the nearest air traffic control tower before they can take off.

Nomenclature
The term "Aerojet" came about to distinguish personal aircraft powered by jet engines and passenger/cargo/military fighter jets that are still in use. The word itself showed up in a newspaper describing their aerodynamics through air, and the term stuck.

Limits of Use
Being aircraft easily accessible to members of the public, and capable of achieving high speeds, there are limitations and rules that pilots of aerojets have to follow.


 * Aerojets, although capable of doing so, are not allowed to travel faster than the speed of sound in the troposphere.
 * Maximum altitude for public/inexperienced pilots is the upper limit of the stratosphere (50,000 km). The limit for private/experienced pilots is the lower boundary of the thermosphere (100,000 km).
 * Aerojets cannot enter airspace directly overhead of any major cities' tallest building with height 'multiplied by three'. Pilots are asked to "use common sense" for flying over smaller towns and villages.
 * Any violations of these rules result in suspension of their pilot license, depending on the infraction.

Bryony's Aerojet
Being a licensed pilot herself, she is able to own and operate her own Janning Sky Sparrow, which she purchased herself. She has used for her travels across North America, and in the book uses it to travel from the rural village of Hockholm, to the city of Vancouver in Canada. This trip took her around two and a half hours. Her aerojet is a single-seater.

Trivia

 * The overall shape and design of Bryony's aerojet is modeled after the McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk, first flown in 1988.
 * The jet engine is mounted on a gimbal that allows it to freely rotate 180° horizontally and 90° vertically downwards for hovering.