Flynow Aviation’s eCopters to Soar at Expo 2030

Flynow Aviation will use electric helicopters to transport visitors at Expo 2030 in Riyadh from October 1st to March 31st, 2031. The Austrian company is opening a regional office and production line in Saudi Arabia to make and deliver many electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) for the event. Yvonne Winter, Flynow Aviation’s Chief Operating Officer, said the regional office could start operating in a few months.

The company plans to set up an assembly line for local production and sales, as well as exports to global markets, in Saudi Arabia. This plan follows a partnership signed in April 2024 with Bayanat, a software company specializing in AI-powered predictive geospatial intelligence, to introduce urban air mobility using Flynow’s eCopters in the UAE.

Mohammed AlQahtani, CEO of Saudi Arabia Holding Co., shared the news on LinkedIn, giving credit to Asharq Alawsat Online. He mentioned that FlyNow’s eVTOLs can carry one or two passengers or cargo, with a maximum payload of 200 kilos and a take-off weight of 570 kilos. These automatic helicopters operate without pilots, similar to cable cars.

FlyNow Aviation explains that its eCopters use battery-electric drives and coaxial rotors. The rotor design is inspired by NASA’s Mars Helicopter ‘Ingenuity’ and is engineered to generate enough lift even in low-density atmospheres. Each rotor is powered by an electric motor with four independent units for redundancy in case of motor failure.

To avoid collisions, the eCopters have sensors to detect obstacles like other aircraft or birds, allowing them to pause briefly before continuing flight. The stable cabin position below the rotors by gravity helps ensure smooth flight behavior.

FlyNow Aviation plans to initially test its eCopters with cargo variants to reduce licensing and accident risks, making it easier for operators to get pilot permits. Human transportation will come later, with no set timeline yet. The company started testing its full-scale concept at Salzburg Airport in early summer 2023, with successful trials at the component level and system integration.

These advancements could lead to thousands of eCopters being used at Expo 2030 in Riyadh and potentially expanding their use in various roles beyond the event.