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MightyFly to start testing autonomous cargo aircraft
来源：shippingazette 编辑：编辑部 发布：2023/02/03 15:02:00
AUTONOMOUS cargo aircraft company MightyFly will begin last and middle mile test flights with its hybrid, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification.
The FAA has granted the California company's MightyFly Cento eVTOL aircraft a Special Airworthiness Certificate and a Certificate of Authorisation (COA) for long-range flights.
This means that MightyFly can start demonstrating the long-range flight capabilities of Cento.
Demonstrating autonomous eVTOL flights up to 600 miles of range with 100 pounds of cargo is unprecedented in the industry, said MightyFly.
With this COA in place, the company will be able to accelerate development of its autonomous aircraft, with a larger airspace (230 square miles) in which to test the transition from hover to forward flight at medium and high altitudes (up to 5000 ft).
The MightyFly Cento has a cargo capacity of 45 kg, a range of 600 miles and a max speed of 150 mph.
Measuring 4m by 5m, the aircraft features eight electric vertical lift fans, one forward propulsion propeller, and a high wing carbon fibre airframe. Fully loaded, the Cento weighs 161 kg, said MightyFly.
Because Cento is equipped with a hybrid powertrain, it does not require recharging between flights. An internal combustion engine recharges the aircraft's battery while in the air, enabling it to perform multiple consecutive deliveries, with up to 600 miles range.
Cargo is loaded and unloaded by a conveyor belt that operates autonomously, so no human handling other than drop off and pick up is required at the ground stations.
Manal Habib, MightyFly chief executive and co-founder, said: "Medical companies, just-in-time manufacturing, and the 51 per cent of all retailers that now provide same-day delivery need a faster and more affordable way to get their goods and perishables to the final destination."
MightyFly is planning to develop a larger vehicle that can carry 500 pounds of cargo, according to London's Air Cargo News.
The FAA has granted the California company's MightyFly Cento eVTOL aircraft a Special Airworthiness Certificate and a Certificate of Authorisation (COA) for long-range flights.
This means that MightyFly can start demonstrating the long-range flight capabilities of Cento.
Demonstrating autonomous eVTOL flights up to 600 miles of range with 100 pounds of cargo is unprecedented in the industry, said MightyFly.
With this COA in place, the company will be able to accelerate development of its autonomous aircraft, with a larger airspace (230 square miles) in which to test the transition from hover to forward flight at medium and high altitudes (up to 5000 ft).
The MightyFly Cento has a cargo capacity of 45 kg, a range of 600 miles and a max speed of 150 mph.
Measuring 4m by 5m, the aircraft features eight electric vertical lift fans, one forward propulsion propeller, and a high wing carbon fibre airframe. Fully loaded, the Cento weighs 161 kg, said MightyFly.
Because Cento is equipped with a hybrid powertrain, it does not require recharging between flights. An internal combustion engine recharges the aircraft's battery while in the air, enabling it to perform multiple consecutive deliveries, with up to 600 miles range.
Cargo is loaded and unloaded by a conveyor belt that operates autonomously, so no human handling other than drop off and pick up is required at the ground stations.
Manal Habib, MightyFly chief executive and co-founder, said: "Medical companies, just-in-time manufacturing, and the 51 per cent of all retailers that now provide same-day delivery need a faster and more affordable way to get their goods and perishables to the final destination."
MightyFly is planning to develop a larger vehicle that can carry 500 pounds of cargo, according to London's Air Cargo News.