This Man Hated His Commute So Much He Built His Own Plane | HuffPost

He reduced his commute by seven minutes.

By

Senior Editor of commercial partnerships, HuffPost UK

The shorter the commute, the longer your get to lie in bed.

At least, that’s what we presume was going through Frantisek Hadrava’s mind when he decided to build his own plane to cut his commute in half.

The 45-year-old locksmith spent two years of his spare time to build a Vampira, an ultralight plane made almost entirely of wood, which is based on the U.S.-design of light planes called Mini-Max.

In doing so he has managed to shave seven minutes off his journey to work each day - that’s if the weather is pleasant enough to fly.

David W Cerny / Reuters

“It takes me about 12-14 minutes by car,” Hadrava said.

The aircraft can reach a top speed of 146 km/h and consumes 6 litres of petrol per hour. As a result, he says travelling to work by plane is cheaper than by car.

Hadrava lives in the small village of Zdikov in the Czech Republic and his commute is approximately 15km on the road.

Before You Go

Man Builds Own Plane To Commute To Work

(01 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 24: Frantisek Hadrava prepares for his flight on August 24, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(02 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava prepares for his testing flight on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(03 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 24: Frantisek Hadrava prepares for his flight on August 24, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(04 of10)

CKYNE, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 24: Plane of Frantisek Hadrava is parked on August 24, 2016 in Ckyne, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(05 of10)

CKYNE, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 24: Frantisek Hadrava pulls his plane after landing on August 24, 2016 in Ckyne, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(06 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava prepares for a test flight with his plane on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(07 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava (L) with his friend pours petrol into his plane before a test flight on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(08 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava poses in his plane on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(09 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava flies during testing flight with his plane on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

(10 of10)

ZDIKOV, CZECH REPUBLIC - AUGUST 23: Frantisek Hadrava (R) attaches a wing to his plane before a test flight on August 23, 2016 in Zdikov, Czech Republic. 45-year-old Frantisek Hadrava from Zdikov in South Bohemia region travels to work in his plane if weather allows. He lands on the field next to Drevostroj Ckyne company, where he works as a locksmith and which is 15 km away from his home by road. Hadrava has spent two years building his own plane and it cost him about 100 thousand Czech Koruna (about 3.700 Euro). It is his first plane and it is made according to his ideas. Hadrava says that the aircraft, which is almost entirely made of wood, has a fuel consumption of 6 litres of petrol per hour and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h. The flight takes less than 7 minutes and the way to work by plane is cheaper than by car, according to him. A day shift begins for Hadrava at 6 am and he parks his plane in a parking lot at work, before everyone else arrives. He uses up to four parking spaces, the rest of employees park their cars close by. Hadrava says, 'everything is recession in essence'. He flies with a white scarff and leather helmet. (Photo by Matej Divizna/Getty Images) (credit:Matej Divizna via Getty Images)

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