Rotor X Conducts Desert Flight Test of Ultralight eVTOL

Rotor X's Dragon ultralight eVTOL comes with a ballistic parachute cage, is capable of flying for 20 minutes, and has swappable battery packs that recharge in less than two hours By Joe Macey / 27 Apr 2023
Follow AAMi

Rotor X Aircraft’s Arizona desert flight tests of its new ultralight eVTOL, the Dragon Personal Air Vehicle, have been revealed in a video.

The electric, ultralight aircraft comes as a quick-build kit, doesn’t require a pilot’s license in the US to operate, and is priced at just under $90,000.

The video, taken in early 2023 during tests of a Dragon pre-production prototype, does not show the ballistic chute safety cage. The safety cage will be integrated before the manned flights which are expected to begin in May.

As well as the ballistic parachute cage, Dragon comes with safety features such as, auto hover, auto take-off and landing, and redundant independent motors for its 8 propellers. The Dragon is capable of flying 20 minutes with weight of up to 250lbs (113kg) and has swappable battery packs that recharge in less than two hours.

According to Rotor X, its ready to publicly display the aircraft this summer in Oshkosh for EAA’s 2023 AirVenture. Testing and improvements are ongoing and manned-flight videos will be released in June 2023.

Under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 103 Ultralight requirements, the Dragon Personal Air Vehicle doesn’t require a pilot’s license in the United States. Additional safety features include helicopter landing gear, hands-off return to hover and position hold. The Dragon can hover and perform a safe landing in the case of a battery, electrical, or motor failure.

Posted by Joe Macey Edited by Joseph Macey, Editor and Copywriter and experienced journalist with an active interest in advanced air mobility. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Vertiport Designs Revealed for AAM Operations in Abu Dhabi

LODD and Skyports Infrastructure have unveiled vertiport designs for three locations in Abu Dhabi, supporting eVTOL operations and autonomous aerial logistics through new infrastructure integration

Feb 14, 2025
Archer Secures $300 Million Investment to Drive Hybrid Aircraft Development

Archer has secured significant funding to advance its hybrid aircraft platform for defense and commercial applications

Feb 13, 2025
Moya Aero Surpasses 200 eVTOL Test Flights in Ongoing Development Campaign

Moya’s eVTOL has surpassed 200 test flights, generating critical data to refine performance, enhance control, and optimize transition dynamics on its path toward autonomous aerial logistics

Feb 13, 2025
SkyDrive Advances eVTOL Certification with JCAB’s G-1 Basis

SkyDrive’s eVTOL aircraft has received a G-1 certification basis from Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB), marking a key step in its journey toward certification and commercial operations

Feb 12, 2025
eVTOL Vertiport Testbed Development at Campo de Marte Airport

UrbanV and PAX Aeroportos are partnering to develop Brazil’s Advanced Air Mobility ecosystem, launching a vertiport testbed at Campo de Marte Airport to support the integration of eVTOL operations

Feb 11, 2025
SkyDrive Partners to Plan Air Taxi Services in Japan

SkyDrive and JR Kyushu have partnered with the Oita prefectural government to explore the potential for eVTOL services that will improve the region's transportation infrastructure

Feb 10, 2025