Chaparral autonomously transitions to 70 mph wingborne flight
Elroy Air completed three flights in which Chaparral autonomously transitioned from vertical takeoff to forward wingborne flight and returned to a vertical landing.
Evidence notes
- The aircraft reached a maximum speed of 70 mph.
- Forward flight used up to four times less power than vertical flight.
- The flights established the technical basis for longer point-to-point missions.
Company context
Elroy Air builds Chaparral, an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft for middle-mile logistics, military resupply, humanitarian aid and rapid-response missions.