One-Seat eVTOL Needs No Certificate to Fly—and It’s Ready for Piloted Tests

Rotor X Aircraft has completed hundreds of unmanned flights of its kit-built, ultralight Dragon and is ready to add the pilot.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 02:16 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Rotor X Aircraft is advancing towards mass production of its Dragon, an ultralight, build-it-yourself electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with piloted flight testing beginning soon and deliveries expected next spring.
A key feature of the Dragon is its qualification as a Part 103 ultralight, allowing it to be flown in the U.S. without a pilot certificate, catering to individuals who lack the time or energy for traditional pilot training.
Priced under $90,000 initially, the single-seat eVTOL offers a 20-minute flight time at 63 mph, includes safety features like redundant motors and a ballistic parachute, and can fold for transport.
While ultralights generally have a lower accident rate than general aviation, concerns are noted regarding potential safety issues for the inexperienced pilots expected to operate the Dragon.

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There are thousands of Americans who have the flying bug but lack the time or energy to put in the hundreds of hours needed for a pilot certificate. But if they have the money, a personal aircraft for which the pilot needs no certification to fly just came closer to entering production.

Rotor X Aircraft, a 50-year-old manufacturer that primarily produces two-seat experimental kit helicopters, announced it will soon begin piloted flight testing of its preproduction Dragon: an ultralight, build-it-yourself, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) design that can be flown without a certificate in the U.S.