HRH Prince Michael of Kent paid a private visit to Farnborough-Aircraft.com at the end of March, where development of the Farnborough F-1 is ongoing.\rFollowing a presentation on the project by Richard Noble and members of the design team, Prince Michael toured the plant. He spent three and a half hours in Farnborough, and also met with representatives from strategic partners of the F1 project. Noble's aircraft is designed to bypass the present hub and spoke air transport system by utilising the 7,807 small airfields in Europe and North America. The single engine aircraft will be capable of steep rates of climb and short take-off and landing, and will have a range of 1,000 miles. \rFarnborough-Aircraft.com reports that the Prince showed considerable knowledge of the project and of the problems the project faces. "I detect the same level of dedication and enthusiasm as with the ThrustSSC project," stated Prince Michael. The F1's first flight is projected to take place in 2002.