MightyFly Achieves FAA Flight Corridor Approval for Autonomous Cargo eVTOL Testing

Breaking New Ground in Autonomous Aerial Logistics

MightyFly, a pioneering company in the autonomous cargo aircraft sector, has reached a significant milestone as the first large autonomous cargo EVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) company to secure an FAA flight corridor approval in the United States. This landmark approval paves the way for the company to commence A-to-B flight testing of its 2024 Cento aircraft, signaling rapid advancements in its flight testing program.

Inside the FAA Approval and Its Implications

In January 2024, MightyFly obtained a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for a flight corridor stretching up to 5,000 feet between New Jerusalem and Byron Airports in California. Additionally, they received a Special Airworthiness Certification (SAC) that enables testing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) using a chase airplane. These approvals are crucial for MightyFly to test various capabilities such as long-range command and control communications and future detect and avoid systems for BVLOS flights.

Advancing Drone Capabilities

Since the onset of flight testing in March at the New Jerusalem Airport, the 2024 Cento has conducted over 30 autonomous flights. This series of tests follows extensive ground testing both at MightyFly’s headquarters and the designated test site, showcasing the robustness of MightyFly’s autonomous flight technology, previously proven in its first and second-generation aircraft.

The MightyFly’s autonomous cargo drone offers:

• End-to-end autonomous delivery
• Vertical take-off and landing capabilities
• Cargo capacity of up to 500 pounds
• Range of 600 miles
• Maximum speed of 150 mph
• Carbon neutral operations

MightyFly’s Vision for Expedited Logistics

With the FAA’s approval, MightyFly is set to demonstrate point-to-point autonomous delivery flights and execute proof of concept (POC) programs with various partners.

CEO Manal Habib expressed enthusiasm about the progress, stating, “We are thrilled to publicly announce that we are the first large autonomous cargo eVTOL company to receive a flight corridor approval from the FAA and that we have already achieved some exciting and tangible flight test progress of the 2024 Cento. This is a solid vote of confidence from the FAA in our work and our ability to perform safe autonomous flights in the general aviation airspace. We now look forward to demonstrating point-to-point delivery flights with our partners in this space.”

Preparing for Public Demonstrations

The flight corridor approval also sets the stage for two major upcoming public flight debuts. Under a contract with the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, MightyFly will publicly demonstrate point-to-point autonomous cargo delivery flights in Michigan. Additionally, plans are in place to showcase flights to the U.S. Air Force, focusing on the drone’s capabilities in autonomous loading, unloading, and balancing of packages.

A Step Towards Transforming Delivery Services

MightyFly’s success in obtaining FAA approval for its large autonomous hybrid eVTOL cargo aircraft not only marks a regulatory achievement but also underscores the company’s potential to revolutionize the expedited delivery market. By enhancing the efficiency of deliveries, especially for critical supplies like medical and pharmaceutical products, MightyFly is positioning itself as a key player in the future of logistics. With these developments, the company is well on its way to making expedited, low-emission deliveries a practical reality for businesses and governments across the globe.