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.