Flying an eVTOL for the First Time!

[@Vicartje]

These look like some of the "drones" people have been seeing in NJ ? The size matches the description of " the size of a car" too...😮

[@eamonshields2754]

Im from NJ... the drones we are seeing are almost certainly unmanned. The come out from over the ocean and do grid sweeps in Northern NJ for hours every single night.

[@Acheiropoietos]

I saw one NJ drone picture that looked just like this craft. There is a lot of disinformation going around because, after several weeks of activity, the military still cannot explain what the real drones are. Watch the skies!

[@MuckoMan]

@@eamonshields2754 You think we would have our navy finding where they are coming from. But like he said one of the pics does look a lot like one of these drones.

[@Receipt]

At least one of the videos is of a blackfly, the daytime one. Clear as can be.

[@al1356]

@@Receipt100%

[@johnbrittingham4471]

Have you guys been flying over New Jersey?

[@drone78]

I am a Cessna private pilot and I find these technological advances great! Being able to democratize light aviation is really a noble cause ! Great job, I love it 👏🎉👍

[@RealLifeTech187]

I get what you mean and I like the idea but it's still 200k 😅 that's far from "democratized" when the average *new* car is sold for 30k and most people buy second hand for half or less.. This is democracy for your clients maybe.

[@drone78]

@RealLifeTech187 of course but we can imagine a lot of financial possibilities like time sharing or rental...Almost no one buys planes cash these days, and neither do luxury cars.

[@RealLifeTech187]

@@drone78 sure these options exist but same argument.

[@Mike_Jones281]

Looks like the skies need some democracy.

[@lucianoag999]

I am a hiker. Where do I vote to keep having quiet landscapes and trails and note having to hear rich people above my head?

[@olsonspeed]

As a hang glider and ultralight pilot I welcome the new EVTOL aircraft. Pivotal has built an incredible U/L that will only improve as battery energy density increases. Keep the dream of personal flight alive.

[@TemplarX2]

23 miles? How useful is that?

[@MnemonicKariboo]

I was so excited about the general concept of the Blackfly. The sheer simplicity of it. Still, the pricing and the abysmal range kind of ruins it for me. Lets hope Pivotal stays afloat long enough to dramatically improve on both.

[@ahastar1141]

I think the scary thing is we have been driving on roads using various modes for centuries yet people are terrible at it. I worry that these startups are going to be crushed by idiots doing stupid things in them and crashing them if they go main stream. Love the tech and something I’d be personally interested in

[@matthoward9988]

TBH Mobile phones were just as limited when they first appeared in the 80s, and AI flight support systems may enable mass use. Amazing work.

[@JayDee-b5u]

Yeah. Batteries are too heavy. Just put an engine in there.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Look how fast aircraft have advanced in the last 100 years. The issues will be worked out.

[@vanbalzup6481]

@@matthoward9988 No insurance company is EVER going cover this. End of discussion. This is just a toy for rich people who don’t need insurance.

[@williamfosterXD]

it's got that cozy ocean gate feel to it.

[@dasczwo]

been in NJ lateley?

[@jesuschrist-alphaomega]

He's the one flying over new jersey

[@wetrailblazin5313]

Gotta be lol but might be the other guy

[@markgriffiths409]

🤣🤣🤣

[@SWR112]

Imagine the way battery tech is going this thing will double in range every five years. I’d love that in the highlands of Scotland.

[@StarCitizenSpeakeasy]

Alright which one of you people are flying over Jersey?!

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

I’m a former USAF and commercial pilot, have been around all types of vehicles and machines. So my first thought is always about equipment failure and maintenance. Can they be dead sticked or auto rotated. For context I’d recommend watching auto repair, boating and aircraft fail videos. Then get back to me on flying vehicles.

[@Rennrogue]

I guess that's why they have a parachute.

[@Maplecook]

I'm just a layman who does 99% of his own car repair. You couldn't get me into that, any sooner than you could get me into a homemade submarine.

[@graxxor]

No autorotation for props that need to rotate at 6000RPM to maintain altitude. lol. Parachute is there just for peace of mind rather than actually being viable.

[@joemendyk9994]

Something like this needs airbags, not chute.....

[@dylconnaway9976]

@@graxxorDisagree. Parachute will work if there’s enough altitude. Even lower, should still slow the rate of descent enough to make the impact survivable.

[@Seren2010kinder]

This looks like the drones we been seeing

[@oogooogway]

The daytime picture of the drone has an uncanny resemblance to the Backfly eVTOL, just saiyan.

[@philipware4951]

But can’t out pace an F16 lol

[@phazerave]

​@@philipware4951they are outpacing f16's? Since when?

[@virtuserable]

7:06 - Landing this thing looks terrifying and I assume since he missed the pad so much there's no landing camera system.

[@davepsk7334]

This is the thing most americans are seeing in the skies recently. Mark my words.

[@michaelalbright7769]

Not all of em tho bro there is many things going on up there. Orbs, spinning wheel lights and yes for sure things like this

[@davepsk7334]

@michaelalbright7769 For sure the orbs and spinning wheels are alien. Wonder why they are here, there is a paragraph in the bible that says just before the end of times bright lights will come down from the sky. Are they gods messengers? Is god alien? Guess we'll find out soon, the world as we know today is showing signs of the end.

[@RichTallent]

Can you imagine just seeing an owner flying past you when out on a hike somewhere! Wow what an amazing experience this looks. Thanks for bringing to my attention Cnet.

[@damonhtoo]

You say that like it's a good thing. I can't even stand the people that use Bluetooth speakers while hiking. Even small multirotors are *loud*.

[@unxusr]

To see one will be fun. Many would be the problem. Still very noisy.

[@liberpater1342]

It would probably look like a "mystery drone"! Oh, wait, what's this...?

[@johnnydfred]

How many Kw does one burn in the 20 miles? Or, what’s a full charge require - power-wise?

[@Aerospace_Education]

Wouldn't happen to live in NJ would you? Careful to monitor 121.5 guard in case any F16's come visit you :)

[@puddingfoot]

sabrina!!!!

[@fallinginthed33p]

I'm stupidly stoked about these private multicopters. You have to trust the control laws to keep you alive but they could be the future of personal transport.

[@CJayyTheCreative]

Once we have full self driving AI, all of this will be easy and open up to way more people

[@backacheache]

​@@CJayyTheCreativeI think in a way they are, if vehicles like this the joysticks do not directly control the aircraft but suggest to the computers which way you want to go. In regard to navigation there are companies with enough automated air-delivery-miles to be able to advise them

[@yoikaika8819]

possibly the things flying over Jersey?

[@theeternalnow6506]

I highly doubt it. From what they're saying these things stay in the air for hours and there was a congressional hearing yesterday where they said they came in from the ocean with sometimes up to 50 of them.

[@andrewradford3953]

Where does the power come from to run these?.. yep, the wind turbines on the hills. Can refuel from solar at home, and do a 10 mile radius trip. Guessing the service interval on electric motors is way longer too.

[@jamescurtin4412]

What an amazing video. Thank you and God bless you. My son is studying to be a pilot. I am in my 50s but hey, you never know.😊

[@jnormile]

Get your pilot certificate! You won't regret it.

[@williambeatty7781]

The price of the blackfly and the limited range just doesn't make sense to own one. It's more like an amusement park ride than an airplane.

[@user-pt1kj5uw3b]

There are plenty of people who can afford 200K for their own personal amusement park ride

[@alexanderrahl482]

​@@user-pt1kj5uw3bAnd you aren't one of them.

[@cassetteo]

Lol you’re dumb. You don’t understand that this doesn’t require a pilots license. You don’t think that has anything to do with the price?

[@williambeatty7781]

I realize they don’t need a pilot license. I just believe for the price they are very limited in what they can do. I bought my Piper Arrow III for 125k and travel all over the southeast. It’s great for just weekend sightseeing and going to visit family in other states. This black fly can do very little other than very short amusement rides.

[@NewtonInDaHouseYo]

Did it say 20 miles range? Or 120 miles? Because 20 would be extremely limited.

[@jackn2683]

Yep. 20 miles 😅

[@TonyStark-wr7ob]

Idk why they made it electric. Hybrid would have been way better so you could have gas and electric.

[@papalegba4449]

So this is what has been flying over NJ at night 🤣

[@Kuhladestkyicky]

I like the redundant/dual joysticks. That impressive feature gives you something to hold onto when you are falling like a rock.

[@k.larson4682]

Or if you're a southpaw. Or both.

[@03chrisv]

I bet half the motors could go out and there would still be enough thrust to at least have a slow enough decent for a hard but survivable landing. It wouldn't suprise me if the craft had an automated system to handle situations like this.

[@michaelscrivani2721]

Are a bunch of these craft are what is flying over NJ ??

[@DamTheFuturist]

Looks just like it.

[@theebalz]

Curious if there are plans for a two seat version & an upgrade to solid state batteries & bigger propellers. Being in the Denver metro area and over a mile high from sea level, bigger propellers would definitely be needed along with longer battery life for wide open spaces. I'd like to know

[@AfterBurnett]

No licence required? What could possibly go wrong?

[@littlehills739]

and the worlds road toll is? with licencees 1million

[@AfterBurnett]

@@littlehills739 And imagine how much worse it would be if all those cars were flying over cities :P

[@littlehills739]

@@AfterBurnett google first car crash you make it sound bad "over cities ? 1st law / mandate might be can only fly over existing rds

[@AfterBurnett]

@@littlehills739 Right, flying cars that can only use roads. Doesn't sound pointless at all.

[@littlehills739]

@@AfterBurnett doubles the traffic till proven reliability, but hay sorry you lost you ability to critical think. generally when you have a conversation you add to it. you have added no other view point as to how it would be imperilment. other then sky car bad.

[@t6s4b]

Not a fan of no visibility on landing. Unless there are cameras that they haven't shown.

[@kwh1871]

A gyro-type control seat that always maintains a horizontal position seems necessary

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

Just curious why it Lands and Takes off so “Clumsily” Why not have a lightweight landing gear… I’m so sure there’s a good reason!!!

[@Kr0N05]

They are trying to strike a balance between the efficiency of flying forward with wings (And engines in a horizontal position.) , and the need to take off and land vertical. They could do something like the US military's Osprey, but that would require a complicated engine or wing swivel mechanism.

[@dordagiovex9989]

Lovey config. Does not need tilting rotors and landing gear while still using wings for flight efficiency at speed. That is a tilting human aircraft

[@CoryBays]

Funny that people are shocked by car sized drones over military bases recently when I’ve been seeing videos of THESE for years…

[@redredred1]

This is exactly the kind of thing I love to see. They are focusing on simplicity, cost, etc... Look at that simulation of the parachute pull - just a string and a piece of wood. This is company that is trying to actually do something, rather than just milk investor money for CGI pictures and unrealistic goals that never arrive.

[@pratikmadrecha]

So excited for this! Flying cars finally

[@eamonshields2754]

The future is going to be awesome!!

[@richyquarter7244]

Yeah, so far we only had to dodge people who can't tie their own shoelaces on the roads, now they're going to fall from the sky too.

[@ethanvlogseverynowandthen]

NBC news used a clip of this to promote an idea that this was “an identitied drone seen flying at a security event where a head of some important blah blah department was in attendance”

[@nobilismaximus]

Just like electric cars range anxiety would be horrendous. Especially if you can only fly for 10 min then have to return. Plus where do you charge it if you cant fly over populated areas. Its a great demonstrator. And with a fuel cell or similar might be a superb compromise. Also, its just me, but i.m not a fan of needing so many little high pitched props. Better with 3 ducted fans that gimble and tilt

[@gary3074]

Range anxiety is only for people who can’t do basic math….

[@daemn42]

It's because of the way that multirotor drones work. They use high torque electric motors with fixed pitch props and their stabilization comes from speeding up and slowing down the propellers extremely quickly to provide roll and pitch stabilization. Because half the motors turn clockwise, and the other half counterclockwise, yaw control and stabilization is done by speeding up half the motors and slowing down the other half to create a torque moment (the motors generating more lift require more torque than those producing less lift). Gas engines simply cannot speed up/slow down quickly enough for a multirotor to work. They would need to use variable pitch propellers (like the tail rotor of a helicopter) to provide equivalent reaction time, but this would add complexity (lowering reliability) and weight. This aircraft is already right at the weight limits for its class (Part 103). In fact, the reason it looks like a boat is they made it able to land in water, to exploit a loophole that allows them to be a little heavier (to account for floats) and still be considered an ultralight aircraft.

[@JayDee-b5u]

Diesel engine would work just fine.

[@unxusr]

Range anxiety? If you can’t read - get yourself a diesel one 😂 … well you’re probably still get stuck. The rest of the world will move Electric, and will move fast.

[@IrradiatedFeline]

I can see this as an option for quick traversing of rough terrain.

[@SirCrashaLot]

I would love to cruise and do some proximity flying, I picked up FPV as alternative to low altitude flying. Question is: does it flip? :)

[@echoscorpion]

Wait, the FAA even not allowed people to fly drones around airports. How come this flying behavior requires NO AVIATION LICENSE??!! As an FAA ATP I just can’t feel good about it.

[@bertlammens4392]

you are what's wrong with the world

[@user-pt1kj5uw3b]

Yeah seems like there must be some oversight

[@pi.actual]

There is a special designated area at that airport west of the runways and below 400 feet that does not interfere with normal traffic patterns. They are not allowed outside of that box. They also do skydiving there.

[@Arcturus-One]

People are arguing that this craft is a secret craft (UFO?) due to their ignorance.

[@carledinger3422]

PVTOL ⁉️ What happened to the company OPENER ⁉️

[@Phrancis5]

Of all the emerging EVTOL configurations, Lilium jet is probably the most advanced and elegant, but the Blackfly is probably the simplest and affordable. Because I don't have $200k to spare, I'll stick to building FPV drones and flying virtually...

[@vihreelinja4743]

This is the first good design for a manned drone I have seen. Good job, I would love to have one but my bank say no :(

[@dsbaehler]

I would fly one without hesitation. Sign me up!

[@kimberlybegonia2869]

How many times can it land before damage to the bottom begins?

[@BrokenTablesPodcast]

Can y'all stop freaking everyone in Jersey out? My whole KZbin feed is drones now... Thanks a lot...

[@jameskps]

Oh. NJ mystery solved

[@ipv6tf2]

Ok but what are the failure modes? if all power is cut, a normal aircraft can glide; a helicopter can use its blades like a parachute. what about this?

[@PMcDFPV]

Aint that whats been flyin over NY and NJ at night ? lol

[@explodingevo]

As an fpv pilot I can only ask (facetiously), will it do freestyle?

[@christiancrow]

6:53 90s jet music ❤❤❤ love the video

[@HauteHorizon]

What happens if you collide with another evtol flier?

[@katiebarber407]

you jsut bounce off. they are like bumper cars! its wild

[@dreamkiss4u]

I would buy one if you can fly over buildings to get to work lol but it's going to be exclusive right now since you need all the requirements to buy one like a large land space to use it on top of the cost of it.

[@torrance8577]

Awesome! Terrific video. I'd give my eye teeth for one of these!

[@saviyou]

I think we found our unidentified drones flying around NJ

[@0IDaveCouch]

@1:55 The joystick looks like a happy little face. 1:55 😊

[@shutinalley]

Can it just fly itself? Then fly away when i don't need it.

[@MikeD-hn9hf]

Good call! "Return to hanger, Spicy Wing!"

[@shutinalley]

@@MikeD-hn9hf And go fix yourself.

[@GiHubb]

Death machine! And even if it isn’t, a 20 minute flight time just isn’t close to enough

[@danicheman]

This looks really exciting. I could see doing this as a weekend hobby.

[@alanb.4660]

here comes the FAA and a pilot cert requirement. This thing needs one!

[@JesseOrrall]

WOW, my stomach was in my throat with that intro lol. Great job Andy & team!

[@Honest-liars]

Understanding the difference between an engine and a motor is important, especially in contexts like engineering, mechanics, and everyday usage. Here are the key distinctions: 1. **Definition**: - **Engine**: Typically refers to a device that converts fuel into mechanical energy, often through combustion. Common examples include internal combustion engines found in cars and external combustion engines like steam engines. - **Motor**: Generally refers to a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Electric motors are common in household appliances, fans, and electric vehicles. 2. **Energy Source**: - **Engine**: Usually powered by fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel, etc.) or other fuels (like biofuels). Engines rely on combustion processes to generate power. - **Motor**: Generally powered by electricity, though it can also refer to devices that convert other forms of energy (like hydraulic or pneumatic energy) into mechanical energy. 3. **Mechanism of Operation**: - **Engine**: Involves processes like combustion followed by expansion of gases to create power. This typically requires more complex systems, including fuel delivery and exhaust management. - **Motor**: Operates using electromagnetic fields (in the case of electric motors) or other methods to create rotation directly from electrical energy, often resulting in a simpler design and fewer moving parts. 4. **Applications**: - **Engine**: Found in vehicles that require significant power generation, such as cars, trucks, aircraft, and industrial machinery. Engines are suited for applications where fuel availability and power output are critical. - **Motor**: Commonly used in appliances (like washing machines, refrigerators), tools, and increasingly in cars (electric vehicles). Motors are beneficial where efficiency and control of speed or torque are important. 5. **Efficiency and Maintenance**: - **Engine**: Generally has lower thermal efficiency compared to electric motors, and maintenance can be more intensive due to the complexity of moving parts and combustion processes. - **Motor**: Usually more efficient, particularly in terms of converting energy into motion, and often requires less maintenance since they have fewer moving parts. Understanding these differences matters because it can influence choices in vehicle design, device selection, energy consumption, and environmental impact. For instance, the shift towards electric vehicles is largely due to the efficiencies and lower emissions associated with electric motors compared to traditional combustion engines.

[@treborlo]

Guys l, its been two week you can stop invading New Jersey now.

[@AndyFarwa]

What a beautiful modern Vimana

[@walterwilkinson1499]

In five or ten years, we csn all buy the Chinese version for $10k

[@alediazofficial2562]

most likely the drones everyone is talking about

[@gary3074]

Looks like it could maybe land on water? Possible?

[@ReubenJohn89]

yes it can do emergency take off and landing on water :)

[@Kr0N05]

@@ReubenJohn89 Great! There are a couple of mountain lakes near me that have been seeded with fish a while back; love to do some fishing. Just gotta win the lottery now.

[@cattigereyes1]

Range? Also cost?

[@Z7Sakari]

Well, I see why it got that name: It does indeed sound like a giant black fly…

[@GoneRidingPartsCom]

So with all these giant size drones, it’s great, I’m just curious if the weight of the battery and motor is the same as the weight of a gas engine ? Why not use the same design with fuel engine ?

[@JasonB808]

Fuel is expensive. Fuel engines need a lot of maintenance, electric motors need next to zero maintenance . Combustion engines need more complex gears and shafts to work making deign more complex. Electric motors only need electric wires.

[@foff-666]

the onboard flight computer needs to be able to deliver wildly varying amounts of torque to each motor independently VERY QUICKLY to keep it stable: this can not be accomplished with an ICE power source.

[@JawnLam]

1:15 Did he say "teached"?

[@vikramdesh1]

Why does it need to take off and land at an angle to the ground?

[@chevy87blue1]

These are the drones that flew over New Jersey

[@JayBergeron]

Did I hear correct? It needs to recharge after 20 miles!?? WTF?

[@Jaffjv]

Yes, it is theoretically for commuter/taxi distances, not long trips. And the technology will improve over time of course as battery density increases

[@RandyA7]

The toggle switch seems backwards to me. You should pull back to climb and forward to descend so that it matches what you do in a fixed wing plane. I would not like to fight my natural instinct in an emergency so they should reverse that.

[@AfterBurnett]

I'm not even a pilot and I agree. Seems wrong.

[@theimaginariumnetwork5621]

🤔 New Jersey?

[@toi_techno]

Wow I think it's relative affordability is very laudable I hope they do well

[@K1ngKrunch]

Looks like one of the drone photos going around

[@carltheyoda2155]

YES!! I've gotta get one of these!

[@raffly4449]

This is insanely expensive, not the price of an SUV as previously advertised.

[@urbanstrencan]

What an awsome eVTOL would love to have it at home :)

[@bchik9856]

They originally marketed it as "the price of an SUV"... I guess they meant a Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV. They desperately need to drive the cost down to levels that the non-billionaire class can afford.

[@theeternalnow6506]

Yeah, i dont really want the average person to have this though (and i am the average person and definitely cant afford this). I see how people are driving on the ground. I dont want to have to fear some dude crashing through my roof cause he's taking selfies and accidentally plunges towards the ground. Lets have this stay an exclusive thing.

[@DanielMatthewDP]

I love Blackfly

[@rickace132]

This is what was spotted in NJ.

[@bob23301]

Parachute is not going to be of any use if the engines fail within the first few hundred feet were it would turn into a dropping coffin. Lol

[@nedkent5239]

Gee I wonder if this is what’s being seen in New Jersey 🙄

[@BS_Patrol]

No landing gear for $200k?

[@MikeD-hn9hf]

There's always one... 🤦

[@PlowThePow]

seems like it'd plummet straight into the ground like a lawn dart

[@Ryanstuff]

Now if we can only work on that mosquito noise

[@jfkastner]

Awesome, but some will take it outside their Property and get stuck in Powerlines or Trees, or even collide with other Aircraft that fly 'patternless' like Police Helicopters or GA

[@robertdepaulis5188]

Every licensed pilot cringing at the thought of someone flying these unlicensed !! A ballistic parachute wont help a Cessna smashing into you mid flight

[@bobhawkey3783]

This very cool. Having said that, a commercial quality drone with POV headset would set you back $20K and be safer. The experience would be a little diminished. Then again Ferrari wouldn't sell any cars if it was that simple. ❤

[@wafflecat8]

I think you meant $1k. Avata 2.

[@Zetler]

I’m sorry but the range usage restrictions is a major downside even as a recreational vehicle.

[@fordb222]

Im taking mine to new Jersey

[@mocasorla2753]

That looks amazing! If only I was rich to be able to purchase one of these.

[@DelverRootnose]

It really needs a proper shock absorbing landing gear

[@HenryMoody143]

This would be so awesome to fly over an uncontacted tribe