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Opener Aero unveiled a new eVTOL aircraft and a new company name on Oct. 5. Opener, known for the BlackFly eVTOL, has rebranded as Pivotal and is introducing its first scalable production aircraft Helix.
Pivotal has been a pioneer in the eVTOL field since the introduction of BlackFly, the first eVTOL aircraft of its kind to be sold and delivered to customers. The Helix is built on Pivotal's fourth-generation eVTOL platform, aimed at customers who want to fly for recreation or short-hop travel. Similar to its pre-production forebearer BlackFly, the Helix is designed with a tilt-aircraft architecture, simple user interface and unmatched safety based on fault tolerance and modular redundancy.
The Helix offers power and propulsion improvements, allowing the aircraft to deliver an enhanced operational flight envelope. The aircraft has updated digital electronics hardware to allow for new levels of strength and reliability. An app was designed to integrate the owner and pilot experience while simplifying pre-flight checks, capture flight history and manage charging and aircraft service. The canopy was redesigned and the flight deck includes an integrated display and improvements to comfort and safety. There are improvements to the non-flight-cloud connectivity, which in turn improve maintenance, vehicle telematics, charging and owner asset management.
"With Helix, we become the leading manufacturer of light eVTOL aircraft Pivotal CEO Ken Karklin said. "Helix presents the next iteration of 10+ years of innovating, testing, and delivering on the promise to give individuals access to small, yet mighty aircraft. Pivotal reflects our mission to transform movement with the power of flight. The new identity shows the versatility of our system architecture and encapsulates both the exhilaration and utility of flight."
The aircraft has a durable livery that can reduce the effects of weather, age and solar loading while extending structure life and improving comfort for pilots. The Helix has multiple product options including a transport trailer, fast charging, aviation or GSM radios, ADS-B, custom liveries and beacon lights. There is also support for the future field-replaceable next-generation batteries which will extend range and endurance.
The Helix has been designed to comply with the FAA Part 103 Ultralight category in the U.S. and pilots can fly the aircraft in Class G airspace over uncongested areas during the day and are not required to hold a pilot license. Customers must complete the initial and recurrent flight training in order to support safe operations under all circumstances.
The base price for the Helix is $190,000. Starting Jan. 9, 2024 Pivotal customers will be able to place orders with a deposit of 25 percent of the purchase price. The first customer shipments will begin on June 10, 2024. Customers will select their available training dates based on their delivery timing. Pricing for options and other accessories will be revealed as they become available. Pivotal has an Early Access Program which allows a select group of participants to purchase a BlackFly and provide the company with feedback on their customer experience.
"Pivotal is fulfilling the dream of many people, and I want to participate in defining this space," Early Access customer Clark Thompson said. "I've been following the evolution of eVTOL aircraft for quite some time. Pivotal is the only company delivering an intelligent, powerful, and capable recreational product to the market. I'm eager to be a part of the Pivotal pilot community, take my aircraft out, and share my experiences."