Australian startup FlyNow has announced it will set up an office and assembly facility in Saudi Arabia to produce “thousands” of single- and double-seat flying passenger drones in time for the 2030 Riyadh World Expo. Saudi Arabia intends to beat Dubai in the eternal dispute over the implementation of the most outlandish projects. The thousands of autonomous flying drones serving tourists are making an impression.
Image source: FlyNow
FlyNow eCopter electric helicopter models will be designed for one and two passengers. They are based on a coaxial twin-rotor design, which will eliminate the use of a tail rotor and, thereby, increase the safety of machine operation. In fact, it will be an electric helicopter with all the ensuing operating rules and required permits. Obviously, this will simplify the certification and maintenance of flying machines, although to imagine them in the sky above the exhibition in large numbers requires a lot of faith in a young company that is still unknown to anyone.
Single and double versions
When the batteries are fully charged, the vehicles can travel up to 50 km. The maximum flight speed will reach 130 km/h, but this is unlikely to be allowed to anyone in the exhibition area. The take-off weight of the device will be 210 kg with the ability to lift up to 200 kg of live cargo (passengers). The noise from operating propellers at an altitude of 150 m promises to be no louder than 55 dB – below the level of a quiet conversation. So far the company cannot boast of testing a full-scale model in flight. She has a small flightless prototype and six years left, which refers us to the famous parable about the donkey, the emir and Khoja Nasreddin’s promise to teach the animal to talk in 20 years.