MightyFly is now the first cargo eVTOL company to receive FAA flight corridor approval in the U.S. with a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for a flight corridor of up to 5,000 feet between the New Jerusalem and Byron Airports.
MightyFly, a pioneering company specializing in autonomous cargo aircraft for expedited logistics, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first large autonomous cargo eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) company to receive FAA flight corridor approval in the United States. This approval marks a pivotal moment in the company’s journey, showcasing its advancements in autonomous flight technology and regulatory cooperation.
The approval process, confirmed via a Freedom of Information Act inquiry in late March 2024, was based on certification granted on January 25th, 2024. It includes a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for a flight corridor of up to 5,000 feet in altitude between the New Jerusalem and Byron Airports in California. Additionally, MightyFly has obtained a Special Airworthiness Certification (SAC), enabling the company to test Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) capabilities while utilizing a chase airplane.
“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,” said Manal Habib, CEO, MightyFly.
The significance of this FAA approval extends to both aircraft flight testing and business development perspectives. From a testing standpoint, the flight corridor opens doors for MightyFly to advance its flight testing capabilities, conduct autonomous A-to-B flights within general aviation airspace, test aircraft range and long-range Command and Control (C2) datalink communication, and evaluate future Detect and Avoid systems for BVLOS flights.
On the business side, the SAC market survey authorization empowers MightyFly to demonstrate point-to-point autonomous delivery flights and initiate proof of concept (POC) programs with customers and partners. This COA serves as a strategic asset, positioning MightyFly as a disruptive force in the B2B expedited logistics industry.
The achievement of this regulatory approval at an early stage is a testament to the maturity of MightyFly’s aircraft, the expertise of its team in autonomous aircraft development and aviation regulation, and the company’s strong relationship with the FAA. Notably, MightyFly has attained this milestone during its seed-fund stage, distinguishing itself from more heavily funded autonomous cargo eVTOL companies.
MightyFly’s progress in flight testing is exemplified by the introduction of the 2024 Cento, its third-generation autonomous cargo aircraft, which commenced flight operations at the corridor’s origin airport on March 4th, 2024. In just a few weeks, the 2024 Cento has completed over 30 autonomous flights, underscoring the robustness of MightyFly’s autonomous flight technology.
The success of the flight test campaign follows extensive ground tests conducted at MightyFly’s headquarters and the test site, following the public unveiling of the 2024 Cento in late January. This rapid advancement underscores the effectiveness of MightyFly’s autonomous flight technology, previously validated with its first and second-generation aircraft.
The upcoming flight test campaign will showcase autonomous deliveries across various industries, including medical supplies, spare parts, manufacturing components, and fast-moving consumer goods. MightyFly plans to demonstrate these capabilities within its flight corridor and expand into additional markets and use cases.
The FAA-approved flight corridor will also set the stage for MightyFly’s public flight debuts, including demonstrations in partnership with the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification and the U.S. Air Force. These demonstrations will highlight MightyFly’s autonomous cargo delivery capabilities, marking the company’s entry into the expedited delivery market.
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MightyFly’s focus on large autonomous hybrid eVTOL cargo aircraft reflects its commitment to revolutionizing expedited delivery services for critical sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, emergency response, retail, and logistics. By leveraging advanced autonomous flight technology, MightyFly aims to enhance efficiency and reliability in time-sensitive delivery operations, ultimately benefiting industries reliant on swift and precise deliveries.
Question- What milestone has MightyFly achieved?
Answer- MightyFly is the first large autonomous cargo eVTOL company to receive FAA flight corridor approval in the United States.
Question- What industries will be showcased in the upcoming flight test campaign?
Answer- Medical supplies, spare parts, manufacturing components, and fast-moving consumer goods
Question- Which sectors will benefit from MightyFly’s focus on large autonomous hybrid eVTOL cargo aircraft?
Answer- Manufacturing, healthcare, emergency response, retail, and logistics
