Thomas Senkel of e-volo successfully completed the first manned flight of a 16-rotor electric multicopter, a 1-minute, 30-second maiden voyage.
The 80-kilogram, single-seat aircraft is mechanically simple, using onboard computers for control and boasting a safety feature allowing it to land after losing four motors.
Described as "good natured" in flight, the multicopter has a 10-30 minute flight time, and e-volo aims to develop commercial single-seat and multi-seat versions.
Thomas Senkel of the German company e-volo recently became the first to pilot an interesting craft – a so-called electric multicopter with 16 rotors.
With a single seat placed in the center of those blades, the 80-kilogram (176-pound), all-electric vehicle may look a bit frightening to the risk-averse eye.
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