We’re excited to share a major milestone in the development of FlyNow Aviation’s modular eCopter series. In early June, we successfully completed our first untethered test flights at our newly secured test site in Eastern Austria. This dedicated location allows for unrestricted flight operations, helping us advance our technical progress more rapidly.
Pioneering the Future of Urban Air Mobility
Since 2019, FlyNow Aviation has been driving the evolution of sustainable air mobility with a clear mission: to deliver clean, efficient, and affordable flight solutions tailored for urban environments. From our first modular flight tests in 2021 to the successful maiden flight of our full-scale 1:1 prototype in 2023, our team has remained focused on redefining 3D mobility through technical simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and uncompromising safety.
Beginning in 2023, we carried out extensive tethered flight testing at Salzburg Airport (LOWS), where nearby air traffic and infrastructure require strict safety measures. These flights were essential for validating our systems, gathering critical performance data, and training the flight control computer.
Now, building on that foundation, we’ve successfully transitioned to untethered flight testing at our newly secured site in Eastern Austria — marking the next step in our journey toward transforming urban air transport.
“Each milestone brings us one step closer to making urban air mobility accessible to all. The successful untethered flight of our eCopter is more than just a technical breakthrough — it’s tangible proof that our vision is becoming reality,” said Yvonne Winter, Co-Founder and COO of FlyNow Aviation GmbH.
“While some dismissed our earlier tethered flights, this free flight clearly demonstrates that FlyNow is ready to take urban mobility to the next level. Our focus remains on simplifying systems and prioritizing safety — both critical to creating scalable and sustainable air transport solutions.”
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The Significance of This Milestone
The untethered test flights of the FlyNow eCopter are a key step in collecting valuable flight data under real-world conditions. These low-altitude tests play a crucial role in:
- Verifying system stability and safety
- Fine-tuning the flight control and propulsion systems
- Advancing our modular design toward full certification
After reaching our first certification milestone in 2022 under Specific Category SAIL II, FlyNow is now testing the second-generation eCopter, progressing toward SAIL IV — a certification level that will enable commercial cargo operations.
Looking Ahead
FlyNow Aviation is on track to launch commercial cargo operations by 2027. Once we’ve logged over one million kilometers with the cargo version—meeting the highest safety standards—passenger services will follow, offering a safe, low-emission, and affordable solution for urban mobility.
Our patented counter-rotating rotor system and modular design offer several key advantages:
- Ultra-low noise emissions: Just 55 dB(A) at 150 meters altitude—comparable to the sound of a household dishwasher.
- Outstanding efficiency: Consuming only 30 kWh per 100 km.
- Unmatched affordability: Production costs up to 10 times lower than comparable systems, making a ride in the FlyNow eCopter as cost-effective as a standard taxi journey.
“Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is set to become a transformative force in global transportation infrastructure,” said Yvonne Winter. “As China pushes forward with its ‘Low Altitude Economy,’ the Sky Alliance for Automated Air Mobility (SALAAM.earth) — a strategic partnership between FlyNow Aviation, Skyroads, and a growing network of aligned members — is presenting a viable path forward through Automated Air Mobility. This approach marks a shift from the software-driven era to a cyber-mechanical future, where AI is seamlessly integrated into safe, analog, and sustainable transport systems.”
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