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Aircraft

Opener launches BlackFly fixed-wing VTOL flying car that doesn't require a license

By David Szondy
July 13, 2018
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BlckFly is a single-seater electric VTOL aircraft
Opener
BlckFly is a single-seater electric VTOL aircraft
Opener

Canadian-based aviation firm Opener Inc. has unveiled its new BlackFly single-seater aircraft, which it bills as a Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) and the world's first ultralight all-electric fixed-wing Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. The fully-amphibious drop-shaped flyer with fore and aft wings sporting eight electric motors has a range of 25 mi (40 km) and a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).

According to Opener, the BlackFly is "designed and built for a new world of three-dimensional transportation." Due to its limited capabilities, the company says that it is easy to operate and can be flown in the United States from small grassy areas without formal training or FAA licensing.

The BlackFly is the result of nine years of development with over 1,000 test flights and boasts triple modular redundancy for greater safety, as well as an optional ballistic parachute. The company claims that it charges in under 30 minutes, has a low-noise signature, is geo-fence capable, and even has an Automatic Return-to-Home button.

Opener says that though the present version is somewhat limited, it hopes that it will one day lead to rural/urban commuting networks powered by renewable energy sources.

"Opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation," says Marcus Leng, CEO. "We will offer competitive pricing in an endeavor to democratize three-dimensional personal transportation. Safety has been our primary driving goal in the development of this new technology. Opener will be introducing this innovation in a controlled and responsible manner. Even though not required by FAA regulations, BlackFly operators will be required to successfully complete the FAA Private Pilot written examination and also complete company-mandated vehicle familiarization and operator training."

The BlackFly and other Opener vehicles will be on display at the 2018 EAA AirVenture Convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23 to July 29, 2018.

The video below shows BlackFly taking to the skies.

Source: Opener

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David Szondy
David Szondy is a playwright, author and journalist based in Seattle, Washington. A retired field archaeologist and university lecturer, he has a background in the history of science, technology, and medicine with a particular emphasis on aerospace, military, and cybernetic subjects. In addition, he is the author of four award-winning plays, a novel, reviews, and a plethora of scholarly works ranging from industrial archaeology to law. David has worked as a feature writer for many international magazines and has been a feature writer for New Atlas since 2011.
36 comments
f8lee
Super! A flying vehicle that eliminates the need for licensing! Because that way there's no chance some brain-dead morons will will be crashing into each other! Of course, that in itself doesn't matter since they will qualify as Darwin Award winners, but my concern is for those innocents killed on the grounds below
On the other hand, Oprah, Messrs Katzenburg and Clooney et al can use these to more rapidly get from their coastal compounds to the beach or shopping centers, so, yay!
ChairmanLMAO
pretty sure the insurance companies will require a license through pricing.
Scott eric
Great video, and very exciting concept. Potential game changer! What is the song used for that video?
minivini
This thing is amazing. I’m sure, even at a claimed “priced like an SUV”, it’ll be a very expensive (six digits) vehicle. Still, I’d go into debt to be able to commute in this thing daily!!
MQ
That takeoff and landing attitude is interesting. Seems to limit forward visibility during hover landings.
Do those wings rotate or are they fixed at the angle demonstrated here? If so it appears to be an a strange angle for forward flight (serious nose down - high drag attitude).
Can it land using wings for lift? like a conventional aeroplane.
EWM
@ Scott eric M83 - Outro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyjj8BgsBGU
relogic
@f8lee What? No O’reillys, Rodmans or Eastwoods? Guess their wealth status doesn’t like “coastal compounds to the beach or shopping centers”. I’m sure they buy cheap Piper cubs and dirty NJ beaches to lounge upon.
CraigAllenCorson
Okay, couple of questions. What's its cargo capacity? Is it equipped with GPS? Operational ceiling? And, as David Letterman was fond of asking on his old CBS show, "Will It Float?" if landed on water. I'd like to use it to visit my brother, and the most direct route is over a part of Lake Michigan.
jerryd
First it is a short blown wing lift take off, not vertical take off. And sadly it stays in that mode making the rest of the flight very inefficient as does all the props. Had they done one prop/wing and tilted them with less curved wings, it could work. But the range shows why it'll never be successful as is.
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