BlackFly V1

Specifications:

Aircraft type

eVTOL prototype aircraft

Piloting

No pilot

First Flight

August 11, 2014

Maximum cruise Speed (USA)

62 mph (99.78 km/h)

Maximum cruise Speed (Outside USA)

100+ mph (160.93+ km/h)

Range (with 25% reserve in USA)

12+ miles (19.31+ km)

Takeoff run distance

3 ft (0.91 m)

Landing distance

3 ft (0.91 m)

Maximum climb rate

1,000 fpm (5.08 m/s)

Maximum descent rate

1,000 fpm (5.08 m/s)

Temperature range for safe operations

32°F to 86°F (0°C to 30°C)

Maximum wind speed for safe operations

25 mph (40.23 km/h)

Width

13 ft ,7 in (4.1 m)

Length

13 ft, 5 in (4.08 m)

Height

5 ft (1.52 m)

Empty weight

310 lb (140.6 kg)

Maximum payload

200 lb (90.7 kg)

Maximum takeoff weight

520 lb (231.3 kg)

Propellers

8 propellers

Electric motors

8 electric motors

Power source

Batteries

Fuselage

Epoxy-impregnated carbon fiber

Wings

Fixed tandem wings

Landing gear

Lands on the belly of the aircraft. There are also four small fixed struts on the bottom end of each wing to protect the wings from hitting the ground on landing or during takeoff.

Safety features

Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies in the sub-systems of the aircraft.