CycloTech has announced the successful maiden flight of its BlackBird demonstrator, on 27 March.
“The BlackBird showcases a completely new aircraft configuration, equipped with six advanced seventh generation CycloRotors,” reports the company, “two more than in any previous concepts and arranged in an unprecedented way to fully leverage the 360° thrust vectoring capabilities. This unique set up allows for vertical take-off and landing, hovering with a pitch angle, mid-air braking, parallel parking, and precision landing even in adverse weather conditions.
“The BlackBird is more than a demonstrator—it’s a flying testbed for the future of aviation,” said Tahsin Kart, CTO of CycloTech. “To see it take flight in such a short time is a testament to our team’s innovation and spirit.”
After the project started in April 2024, the team completed the assembly of the Blackbird demonstrator within 10 months and proceeded with extensive ground testing. They ensured that all systems including battery, propulsion, flight controls, software, and avionics were functioning as expected and ready for flight testing. “Each milestone brought us closer to lift-off and the pace at which we moved is unprecedented for such a complex aircraft,” Kart added.
Following the maiden flight, CycloTech is now entering an extensive flight test programme to fully explore the inherent potential of its new propulsion system.
For more information
www.cyclotech.at