Multiple personal flying cars set to launch in a few months

WEB DESK: In an interesting development, Pivotal, formerly known as Opener, has unveiled its latest innovation: the Pivotal Helix, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle set to hit the market in January.

This single-passenger electric aerial vehicle (EAV) has been in the works since 2011 and is part of a wave of similar vehicles slated for release in 2024.

The Helix, like its counterparts, is operated using a joystick and features fly-by-wire electrical controls. It stands out as a tilt aircraft with fixed rotors and tandem wings, falling within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 103 ultralight rating due to its lightweight design.

An interesting facet of this category of EAVs is that they do not necessitate a pilot licence or formal training, although many manufacturers do offer training programmes.

According to FAA regulations, ultralight vehicles must be single-occupancy and weigh less than 255 pounds when empty.

Furthermore, they are restricted from aerial advertising and carrying parcels for hire and are capped at a maximum speed of 63 mph.

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Notable competitors in the personal flying vehicle market include the Ryse Recon, which is capable of both water and land takeoffs and landings, a feature that sets it apart from most of its counterparts.

Additionally, Jetson, backed by renowned singer, songwriter, and technology entrepreneur Will.i.am, plans to commence deliveries of its EAV in 2024.

Jetson has reportedly sold more than 300 Jetson One eVTOLs at a price of $98,000 per vehicle.

Furthermore, a collaboration between a single-seat personal flying vehicle manufacturer and a flying vehicle retail showroom company aims to bring 10,000 such vehicles to the market by 2030.

Land Rotor in Orlando, Florida, has joined forces with Aeroauto in Royal Palm Beach, Florida, to introduce the Land Rotor Sportster, expanding Aeroauto’s diverse range of flying vehicle offerings.

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In the realm of electric flying vehicles, Ace VTOL, a pioneering flying car company, and Volatus Infrastructure and Energy Solutions, specialising in the development of takeoff and landing facilities for flying cars, have formed a joint venture.

This collaboration is geared towards creating an advanced air mobility ecosystem in the Oceania region.

The ambitious venture aims to establish a network of 700 vertiports, providing operational bases and service facilities for eVTOLs, including battery charging stations.

Volatus Infrastructure is also actively working on developing vertiports for takeoff and landing in the United States, indicating the expanding landscape of electric flying vehicles globally.