Elroy’s Chaparral C1 Achieves First Transition Flight

Elroy Chaparral autonomously transitions from vertical takeoff to forward flight

Elroy Air has successfully reached transition speed with its hybrid-electric, vertical takeoff and landing (hVTOL) aircraft, Chaparral.  The company said on August 14 that three transition speed flights have occurred since July 31. “On each flight, the aircraft autonomously transitioned from vertical takeoff to forward flight, completing the flight with a vertical landing,” Elroy Air said, adding that the Chaparral flew at a maximum speed of 70mp

Elroy Air’s Chaparral VTOL Achieves Flight Milestone

Elroy Air marked an advancement in unmanned cargo aviation with its Chaparral C1—a hybrid-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) prototype—successfully completing its first transition to forward flight, the company announced Thursday. Since July 31, Elroy Air has conducted three flights in which the Chaparral autonomously lifted off vertically, accelerated to transition speed, and shifted from rotor-borne lift to wingborne forward flight.…

Elroy’s Chaparral C1 Achieves First Transition Flight

A self-flying cargo drone that combines features of both helicopters and airplanes is starting to prove that it is the real deal. Elroy Air, developer of the Chaparral—an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed to carry up to 300 pounds of payload over 300 sm (about 260 nm)—on Wednesday revealed that its preproduction Chaparral C1 has transitioned from hover to wingborne forward flight. The flights mark a major technical milestone for the hybrid…