Yet another startup has popped up promising to deliver the future filled with flying cars that we've been promised for generations. BlackFly is an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) personal aerial vehicle from a Silicon Valley via Canada company called
Opener. To call it a flying car is actually not quite correct, as it has no wheels, but it is the latest in a lengthening line of personal flying vehicles that aim to compete with cars as a primary way of getting around. “Opener is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation,” said designer and CEO Marcus Leng. BlackFly has more of a UFO look to it than other VTOLs and personal flying vehicles out there. Utilizing eight small rotors spread across two parallel wings, it takes off by sort of rolling on and off the ground via its rounded belly, which makes it look a little bit like an old school rocking horse. Opener says it designed BlackFly with "triple-modular redundant flight systems, control surfaces, and sensors" to ensure safety and has flown over ten thousands miles of test flights. There's also auto-landing and return-to-home features to add extra usability. The company says the single passenger, joystick-operated system requires no formal licensing in the U.S. to fly, but Opener will mandate that users take the FAA Private Pilot written examination and complete its own operator training.