Flynow Aviation plans to deploy thousands of its automatic electric helicopters, or eVTOLs, at Expo 2030 in Riyadh, operating from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031. To support this initiative, Flynow is opening a regional office and production line in Saudi Arabia, with local assembly for both domestic use and global export. Chief Operating Officer Yvonne Winter indicated that the Saudi office might open within a couple of months.
The eVTOLs are battery-powered and can carry one or two passengers or cargo, with a maximum payload of 200 kilos and a take-off weight of 570 kilos. These helicopters operate autonomously on fixed routes, similar to cable cars. Flynow’s design incorporates coaxial rotors, inspired by NASA’s Mars Helicopter ‘Ingenuity,’ ensuring stability and redundancy to mitigate motor failure risks.
Sensors enable the eCopters to detect and avoid potential collisions by pausing and resuming flight as necessary. The cabin’s stable position beneath the rotors further enhances flight stability.
Flynow’s testing of cargo variants began in summer 2023 at Salzburg Airport, showing success in integrating mechanical, electrical, acoustic, and systemic components.
Flynow’s collaboration with Bayanat, initiated in April 2024, aims to introduce urban air mobility to the UAE. This partnership leverages AI-powered predictive geospatial intelligence to enhance the operational efficiency of Flynow’s eCopters.
CEO Mohammed AlQahtani of Saudi Arabia Holding Co. shared the news on LinkedIn, detailing the eVTOLs’ capabilities and potential applications. The initial phase focuses on cargo transport to simplify licensing and reduce accident risks, with passenger transport to follow.
The deployment at Expo 2030 represents the beginning of a broader vision to extend the eCopters’ utility from transporting event visitors to servicing sailors on container ships and reaching remote areas.
Filed in . Read more about Electric Aircraft.