High on a hill overlooking Albuquerque the light- brown dust swirls, and a steel skeleton gleams under the sun. The 52,000-square-foot structure is a dream taking shape for Vern Raburn, chief executive of Eclipse Aviation. In a matter of months, once approval comes from the Federal Aviation Administration, his workers will start assembling up to four small, ultralight jets a day. The Eclipse 500 seats five passengers, has a top speed of 431mph and can cruise 1,473 miles on a 230-gallon tank of gas. It will sell for $1.5 million, less than one-third the price of comparable craft. There are already orders for 2,400.

Picture a service you'll order for a specific flight, priced for your itinerary.

America's air-travel system works great -- if you happen to live in a large metro area and want to fly to another one. In most such markets, nonstop flights are plentiful and fares are reasonable, thanks to competition among big national airlines. But direct flights between small cities in the same region? Forget it. If there's scheduled service at all, it's very pricey. And you'll often be shuttled to a congested metro hub, where you face a lengthy wait for the next leg -- or risk missing a tight connection.

Retired 18-wheeler dealer will be the first Canadian owner of plane that could revolutionize air travel

When his $1 million flying taxi comes off the assembly line, retired truck dealer Archie Fraser will become the first Canadian owner of a microjet outfitted with Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines.

"I just like my toys," he said.