Austria's 2-seat electric helicopter takes to skies freely for first time

FlyNow Aviation, an Austrian startup focused on urban air mobility, has successfully completed the first untethered flight of its two-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the eCopter, at a new test facility in Eastern Austria. This milestone marks a significant step beyond previous tethered tests near Salzburg Airport, overcoming air traffic restrictions and allowing for more realistic flight data collection. The eCopter features a coaxial dual-rotor design, distinguishing it from other multi-rotor air taxis, and aims to provide efficient, clean, and affordable personal flight solutions for urban environments. The eCopter is designed to reach speeds up to 80 mph (130 km/h) with a 30-minute battery endurance, enabling trips of around 30 miles (50 km). It is relatively energy-efficient, consuming about 30 kWh per 100 km, and produces low noise levels comparable to a household dishwasher at typical flight altitudes, making it suitable for dense urban