• World’s first aircraft with 6 CycloRotors
• From BlackBird concept to maiden flight within 11 months
• Marking a pivotal leap forward for compact eVTOL aircraft

CycloTech proudly announces the successful maiden flight of its BlackBird demonstrator, on 27 March. It marks a major milestone in the mission to revolutionize air mobility with CycloRotor technology. In just 11 months, BlackBird transformed from concept to first flight, an exceptional achievement made possible by the relentless dedication, expertise, and collaboration of the CycloTech team and its partners.

A New Era of Aircraft Configuration

The BlackBird showcases a completely new aircraft configuration, equipped with six advanced 7th generation CycloRotors, two more than in any previous concepts and arranged in an unprecedented way to fully leverage the 360° thrust vectoring capabilities. This unique setup allows for vertical take-off and landing, hovering with a pitch angle, mid-air braking, parallel parking, and precision landing even in adverse weather conditions.
“The BlackBird is more than a demonstrator—it’s a flying testbed for the future of aviation,” said Tahsin Kart, CTO of CycloTech. “To see it take flight in such a short time is a testament to our team’s innovation and spirit.”

From Concept to Lift-Off in Record Time

After the project started in April 2024, the team completed the assembly of the Blackbird demonstrator within 10 months and proceeded with extensive ground testing. They ensured that all systems including battery, propulsion, flight controls, software, and avionics were functioning as expected and ready for flight testing.
“Each milestone brought us closer to lift-off and the pace at which we moved is unprecedented for such a complex aircraft,” Kart added.

• April 2024: The BlackBird demonstrator project launched with a bold vision
• Airframe derived from CruiseUp feasibility study and completed in 6 months
• E-drive designed and built with suppliers in just 4.5 months
• Battery modules and thermal management systems developed in 5 months
• Core systems (LV PDU, HV PDU, harnesses) completed in 6 months
• Rotor, flight control, and avionics software developed in parallel within 6 months
•  Component and system integration led to full assembly within 10 months
• Testing conducted at a general aviation airport, according to EASA regulations

Successful Maiden Flight & Next Steps

This March, the 340kg BlackBird took to the skies, achieving lift-off and proving the uniqueness of CycloTech’s propulsion technology, the 360° thrust vectoring CycloRotor. This flight marks a pivotal leap forward for urban air mobility and compact eVTOL aircraft.
“We’re redefining what’s possible in vertical flight, pioneering the future with our groundbreaking propulsion technology to open the skies for a new generation in aviation.” said Marcus Bauer, CEO of CycloTech.
Following the maiden flight, CycloTech is now entering an extensive flight test program to fully explore the inherent potential of its revolutionary propulsion system. With this CycloTech is showcasing the ability of the CycloRotors to create more compact, manoeuvrable and comfortable eVTOL aircraft.