Phractyl Defends Its Bizarre, Bird-Like Aircraft Design

'Macrobat' engineer answers questions about the weird electric concept.

Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 10:24 AM ET

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An artist’s rendering for a concept aircraft called Macrobat has flapping wings and bird-like landing gear. [Courtesy: Phractyl]

Key Takeaways:

Phractyl's Macrobat is a highly unconventional bird-like electric aircraft concept, featuring mechanical legs and flapping wings, designed for remote area transport, which has been met with significant skepticism from the aviation community.
The company defends its unique design by emphasizing its potential for societal benefit, socio-economic development, and an "unusual" business approach, despite acknowledged challenges in development and certification.
Macrobat's ambitious seven-year development plan, aiming for service in year eight, is underpinned by an unorthodox, self-funded financing strategy distinct from traditional aviation startup models.

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When a South African company calling itself Phractyl recently unveiled its concept art for a bird-like electric aircraft called Macrobat, members of the global aviation community expressed skepticism.

“What on Earth is going on here?” asked New Atlas. Calling it “avant-garde absurdity,” New Atlas said it was “unlike anything we’ve seen before—or are likely to see again, if we’re honest.”