Just 21 months after receiving $5.1 million seed funding and\nwith only nine months from concept to first flight, MightyFly is unveiling the\nnext generation of its aircraft, the MightyFly Cento. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cento is a hybrid, electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing\n(VTOL) aircraft with a cargo capacity of 100 lbs (45 kg), a range of 600 miles\n(965 km) and a max speed of 150 mph (240 km\/hr). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With eight electric vertical lift fans, one forward\npropulsion propeller, and a high wing carbon fiber airframe, the fully loaded\nCento weighs just 355 pounds (161 kg). It measures 13.1 ft by 16.7 ft (4 m by 5\nm) taking up a total area that is less than two compact cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cento is equipped with a 6 ft by 1 ft by 1 ft (1.8 m by\n0.30 m by 0.30 m) internal cargo bay able to carry 96 small USPS packages.\nCargo is loaded and unloaded by a conveyor belt that operates autonomously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the Cento is equipped with a hybrid powertrain, it\ndoes not require recharging between flights. An internal combustion engine\nrecharges the aircraft’s battery while in the air, enabling it to perform\nmultiple consecutive deliveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The traditional hub-and-spoke distribution model\ndoesn’t serve everyone,” said Manal Habib, MightyFly CEO and co-founder.\n“We need to be able to adapt to various cargo volumes and expedited\ntiming. Medical companies, just-in-time manufacturing, and retailers that now\nprovide same-day delivery need a faster and more affordable way to get their\ngoods and perishables to the final destination.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the\nMightyFly Cento a Special Airworthiness Certificate and a Certificate of\nAuthorization (COA) for long-range flights. This allows the company to operate\nin a larger airspace (230 square miles) to test the transition from hover to\nforward flight at medium and high altitudes (up to 5,000 feet). <\/p>\n\n\n\n