Opener BlackFly
Quick Summary
The BlackFly is a recreational air vehicle that carries a single passenger/operator. The BlackFly features eight rotors spread over two wings, and does not require a pilot's license to operate due to the augmentation of its control system.
Opener, a Palo Alto, CA, USA based company.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Prototype Build
Flight Testing
Certification
Commercially Operating
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: VTOL, fixed wing
Powerplant: Electric motors
Range: 40 miles
Top Speed: 62 mph
Propellor Configuration: 8 rotors, ~1m diameter each
Passenger/Payload Capacity: 1 pilot/operator
Autonomy Level: Piloted, autonomously augmented
Wingspan/Dimensions: 4m x 4m x 1.5m
Our Take on BlackFly
BlackFly is a recreational VTOL that is designed for pleasure operations and a concept demonstrator for future technologies. Opener is the parent company; heavily funded by Larry Page of the Google Enterprise. Because the BlackFly meets Transport Canada Ultralight categorizations, it does not require certification to be operated in specified Canadian airspace. However, the BlackFly is not yet flying in the United States as the certification requirements and classifications for ultralights differ.
References
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