Elroy Air Chaparral

Quick Summary
Elroy Air is an autonomy and logistics company developing industry-first aerial transport systems and software to deliver cargo rapidly and flexibly by air. Building on the powertrain and perception technology currently enabling the hybrid-electric/autonomous vehicle revolution, its vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aerial logistics systems can operate outside of airport infrastructure and carry up to 500 lbs of cargo over 300 miles.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Winged VTOL
Powerplant: Hybrid-Electric
Range: 300 miles
Top Speed: Undisclosed
Propeller Configuration: 6 pylon mounted vertical propellers; 1 pusher propeller
Passenger/Payload Capacity: 250-500 lb payload
Autonomy Level: Autonomous
Wingspan/Dimensions: Undisclosed
Additional Specifications
Wing Configuration: Tandem
Max Takeoff Weight: 1215 lb
Our Take on Elroy Air
The Elroy Air team has recruited a wide variety of expertise and perspectives, with employee backgrounds ranging from academia to both large and small aerospace-focused companies. Many members of the team have prior experience growing and selling hardware startup companies, which will prove to be beneficial in the event that Elroy Air is situated for a strategic or financial acquisition. We believe that Elroy has conducted a thorough market analysis of the aviation and logistics industries in its decision to focus exclusively on cargo transit. The company's aircraft, the Chaparral, will therefore need not comply with passenger federal regulations and could possibly be implemented sooner than passenger-focused competitors. The 1,215-pound vehicle boasts an impressive max payload weight of up to 500 pounds, and its hybrid-electric propulsion system continues to be flight tested at McMillan Airfield in Camp Roberts, CA.