Pivotal Helix (Former Opener's BlackFly) Available for Purchase

In this video we will cover Pivotal Helix that was previously known as Opener's BlackFly. The latest iteration called the Helix has some new features like wingtip floats and improved canopy.

[@llahneb10]

Your English is clear enough, no need for subtitles to block the juicy stuff

[@clintonvezeau6714]

I watched a video from a few years earlier, it was about the Canadian who developed this, he built it in Ontario and was going to sell it for 42000 per unit, now a company from Cali takes over and it’s 190000, to bad that happened.

[@LuciFeric137]

190k? Yeah that should sell.

[@jannepeltonen2036]

Nice to see some things entering production :)

[@dirkstarbuck6126]

I love this design and I think it’s more in line with the common conception of the flying car, but- The flight time and range is way to short. Also, I’d like to see a two seater version. But there’s always the future!

[@vaughnbay]

two seater? It is part 103 remember?

[@pi.actual]

Were do you see the "car" part in this thing?

[@chrisjohnson6610]

Company changes it's name, then doubles the price of it's only product, all within 24 hours. A lot of BlackFly fans, me included, really wanted to buy one, but company has lost all credibility at this point.

[@GrummanCheetahPilot]

Quadruples price - orginally marketed at $50K if I remember correctly.

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

yes Chris I agree bad management. incompetence.. all these years that have gone by . and very little has changed. even with better tech knowledge. lost of credibility.

[@FlyingFun.]

With all the current battery fire issues about electric cars I wonder if this might be a headwind for these things? I fly rc models that use similar batteries and even though I've only ever had one fire in 20 years I would still feel very nervous about flying in one. Defo need better batteries before this becomes trully viable as a transport option rather than just a toy.

[@SimonAmazingClarke]

They were supposed to be priced similar to an SUV. I do like this aircraft. I think the regulations are a bit daft as it has to have a 30 minute reserve, so you could fly it for 40 to 45 minutes very safely, especially with its height and speed restrictions

[@hifinsword]

The BlackFly price was $38,000 to $55,000 before it was bought out. The new version is now $190,000, quite a large increase, or QUADRUPLE THE PRICE!!! No thanks!

[@borderlandsglitches]

This is how it starts. Toys for rich kids. Fast forward 20 years and they will have 90% more range and cost 90% less.

[@gavins9846]

Yea this really looks like our flying car. Just a matter of timer

[@robertweekley5926]

It might take longer than "20 Years" to get a "90% Greater Range at 90% Less Cost!" Especially if you are thinking 9X the Range (180 Miles) and 1/9th the Cost (~$22,000.00)! If you only want 18 Miles more Range (90% x 20 Miles) - you might even be a bit Pessimistic. But, "90% Less Cost"? Or 10% of Current Cost? That just $19,000.00! I would give it "Props" if it could Run a Full Hour, get 60 Miles Range, and cost $100,000.00 in 10 Years! But, it might take 20-30 Years to see that, on this Design, since Each step forward "Improved Safety" but greatly added Cost, and Reduced Performance Specs! However it's currently as pricey as an Electric Certified Aircraft, that does meet that 1 Hour Run Time, with some Reserve, that is capable of Initial Flight Training of Private Pilots, from Pipistrel Aircraft.

[@Lee-qe3bm]

So much for the price going to be around the price of a big SUV !!!!

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

Nice to see that this technology is advancing but 20 minutes? What's the point? Hardly enough range for any practical application.

[@EttoreEsposito]

Is there a reason to not provide a hybrid version of this with much more range? For example using a range extender.

[@ElectricAviation]

Currently they have simple modules that are as easy as plug and play. introducing fuel cell adds a whole new level of complexity. This not just requires new hardware but also new software development from scratch.

[@jbird6609]

i would like to see 2 engines placed inboard on the upper wing making it a hybrid. When in cruise the electric motors shut down and it flies like a conventional aircraft. Now we are talking like 120 MPH and 400 mile range. Add a backseat and you can take a friend , bag of groceries or an instructor. Not part 103 any more but thats ok if you are a private pilot. licensed as experimental category you can do things an ultralight cant.

[@Ozkar2023]

Wasn't it around 50k now its 190k?

[@lukaskopia]

I would prefer the Jetson 1, it looks like it would provide more fun flying.

[@skyloveglobalnelsonbarbonc8009]

😮😮

[@NoOne-rq5ih]

Same cost as Titan sub ride, what a coincidence.

[@hasanakber2776]

Can you cover , if there will be heavy taxes on them, as they will get common , they will need an independent ATC.

[@carltheyoda2155]

The Helix hands down! Especially for those of us who live outside of the U.S. I believe the international version can travel twice the distance and up to 80 mph!

[@someguydino6770]

Why is the wing span so short? Why is the wing cord so narrow? Longer and wider wings would deliver several benefits to this design!

[@khayangoma9064]

That would increase the weight and make it too heavy for Ultra light aircraft category (I'm guessing)

[@someguydino6770]

YES= you are guessing- search for GOAT glider- 38 foot span, 178 SQ FT- it is a 154 lb + 26 lbs for "safety systems" it is an ultralight aircraft under US FAA FAR part 103 + also know that powered ultralights can be up to 254 lbs + 26 lbs for "safety systems" LEARN that span = efficiency. GOOD LUCK with your studies @@khayangoma9064

[@Ozkar2023]

I think still cost is around 50k and they're charging that much just to make it elite owned

[@rjung_ch]

I'd get the Helix because of the safety features and the longer play time. But the price...

[@geirmyrvagnes8718]

:)

[@Soothsayer210]

i felt Jetson would be a better option for me simply because it is small and compact. It looks like much more maneuverable in tight spaces too.

[@tzeccentric7848]

Gist of these videos: “This (insert EVTOL) is now available for commercial purchase, short ground school required. Oh, but you gotta be wealthy to afford this vehicle.” Thanks for the reminders. Come back to me when something is invented that’s more affordable.

[@richgoughnour3976]

Thank you for another excellent video. My Self I would prefer the jetson1 but then again, I'd prefer an Ariel Atom over a DBR.

[@TimDavies1955]

98k is the price to beat . The nano . Have sold many ellready

[@psewgobind]

I wonder if a hybrid setup will work with Mazda's rotary engine. 20min and a fat persons capacity makes it a toy.

[@vaughnbay]

Pivotal, Helix, Opener, Blackfly??? Who owns this company?

[@KenSDCA]

Neither. When the Helix, or any eVTOL personal craft gets me at least 250 miles of range for less money, I'll consider it.

[@licencetoswill]

the jetson looks so futuristic. The helix is expensive for what is really a toy, but I'm sure people will still buy both.

[@maickelvieira1014]

looks kind of cute/fnunny, it is like the early days of flying, every new plane where diferent somehow, but now the diferences are even greater kkkk realy looking foward to how crazy or cool the desings will get

[@johnjohansing]

Cool, but we still have a long way to go. I would have combined the 4 rotors into to sets of opposing props and housed them in a ducked fan setup with wire netting for safety. In the future these types of battery powered drones will be running off of alcohol fuel cells for the power generation or a very efficient engine-generator setup that can take all types of fuels.

[@weisthor0815]

we really need better battery technology

[@z_actual]

Im a little surprised there isnt more standoff between the props and the leading edge of the wing perhaps this is a result of the divergence between the CG and the centre of lift And I wouldnt buy either, I like the numbers of an electric powered rotor autogyro better, and it has about the same footprint.

[@whodatcatt]

Really cool , but they have a long way to go to become something truly useful and able to sell in large quantities. Much lighter batteries will help immensely.

[@donniewatson9120]

The average person will not be able to purchase one.

[@erichstocker8358]

Can get a real airplane for $190K. This was supposed to cost the price of a SUV and be affordable. Crazy

[@pi.actual]

When I think of how much real airplane you can get for two hundred grand I am completely dumbfounded by this. I've been watching them test it for the past year out at Byron. It makes a heck of a racket even for an airport environment and looks pretty goofy in my opinion. I really just don't get it at all.

[@thomaswiwchar1661]

awesome but why is it barley getting better range performance than the jetson 1 - a multicopper, when this should be more efficient as a fixed wing? did they just set aside way more batery portion for emergancies than the jetson 1? or is it the low disc loading? they should have significantly more range than the jetson

[@martingarrish4082]

My honest reaction is that I'd rather wait for e-VTOLs that sip battery energy rather than gulp it. Power to weight should be used for a good climb rate, not powering undersized propeller-rotors in the hover. With the current generation of power hungry designs I can guarantee that someone out there will push range or height beyond the available energy of the batts...

[@peterboy209]

I would buy none of them

[@ajaykumarvaishnani621]

What is the top speed?

[@josega6338]

A silly development of a good basic concept. Changes I'd make: Front wing larger than rear wing, front wing placed above. A rudder. Custer Channels, instead of propellers, blowing the Airfoil. Hybrid machine, an small Wankel Rotary engine generator and an small battery, as buffer. Concrete body, 4 mm thickness is enough, if feasible; at a density of 2.6 gr/ cc, this is not bad, cost reductions are impressive. Concrete is a composite, many different things can be added to mixer. Please test! Asking $190'000, cost of two Ferrari, for an air moped is delusional. Blessings +

[@WCEndZone]

A 20 minute flight time is pointless.

[@bububaba8727]

Too expensive to buy, low peformance...every normal helicopter has a superior performance for a lower buy price.

[@oO0Xenos0Oo]

But becoming a helicopter pilot is expensive and time consuming. Maintaining a helicopter is also very costly.

[@bububaba8727]

@@oO0Xenos0Oo as far as i know the batteries do not have a long life and need to be changed after a quite short period of time and that is (very) expensive too. Beyond that you need to be lucky enough to arrive to the moment to change your batteries, they might caught fire, suddenly. Have you seen videos about electric cars, scooter, busses on fire .... ?

[@abvmoose87]

Jetson everytime. Blackfly is just awkward.

[@bubbajones6907]

Very slow. It needs to cruise over 200km/h to be viable. It's a failure.

[@jimpike7445]

It's only slow because the ultralight category in the U.S.A. limits the maximum speed to 63mph and the legal maximum empty weight limits the battery capacity. For other countries such as Canada the maximum t/o weight of a basic ultralight is 450kg. with no airspeed limit. This allows a bigger battery and much greater range.

[@iohuynh778]

useless vehicle!

[@bt7092]

Ceo you have a facebook page ?

[@TeslaBulldotcom]

I think the canopy could have been bigger giving better views and easier landing line of sight

[@Miniscapes515]

So much for a price of a suv like we were told

[@TeslaBulldotcom]

What happened to the cost being an average suv !

[@jimpike7445]

They didn't specify "average price". There are SUVs in that price range.

[@TeslaBulldotcom]

Makes x fly look like better value