Cyclotech’s Cyclorotor Blackbird Prototype Takes Flight in eVTOL Testing

Cyclotech, an Austrian company, has made a significant leap in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) space by flying its innovative Blackbird prototype. This revolutionary aircraft is the first to use six barrel-shaped “Cyclorotors” for propulsion, a technology Cyclotech has been developing for years.

Cyclotech’s Cyclorotors are designed with rotating barrels containing tilting airfoil blades, similar to a Voith-Schneider Propeller. The key advantage of this system is its ability to adjust the blades’ pitch instantly as the barrels spin. This gives the Blackbird aircraft unparalleled control over its thrust, making it ideal for the rapid response needed in VTOL aircraft. The constant pitch adjustment allows the Blackbird to quickly adapt to wind gusts, a challenge for traditional propellers that require time to adjust.

The Blackbird’s design includes a Cyclorotor at each corner of the aircraft, as well as additional barrels mounted at right angles to provide extra thrust and maneuverability. These barrels give the aircraft more freedom to adjust its flight path, offering a smoother ride and added redundancy in case of engine failure. Though the current prototype weighs only 750 lb (340 kg) and lacks seats, it shows great potential.

Cyclotech’s future plans for the Blackbird involve developing a two-seater model, known as “CruiseUp,” which will feature a 62-mile range and a top speed of 93 mph. This will be a personal-use aircraft, not an air taxi, and it may open up new possibilities for flying in urban environments.

The company is taking its time with development, aiming for production around 2035. Meanwhile, Cyclotech will continue flight testing to fully understand the capabilities of the Cyclorotor system, with the goal of expanding its applications beyond personal aircraft.

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