Carrying up to 96 small USPS packages in its internal cargo bay, the new Cento doesn’t require more than two parking spaces for takeoff, landing and automatic unloading. Bay Area company MightyFly is working with the FAA to expand long-distance flight permits.
The Cento uses a large carbon fiber airframe that weighs 355 pounds (161 kg) when fully loaded with a 100 lb (45 kg) payload. It is a simple lift and lift prop with eight lift props mounted on propulsion pods a bit like landing skids and pusher props for efficient cruising flight supported by high-mounted wings. cruise design. Not only does it completely eliminate traffic, it also covers distance with a top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h), much faster than road transport.
The key to its massive 600 miles (1,000 km) range is, of course, its durable hybrid powertrain. All propulsion is electric, but combustion engines burn hydrocarbon fuels to replenish the batteries during flight.
MightyFly says its 13.1 ft. x 16.7 ft. (4 m x 5 m) footprint is smaller than two compact cars, so once commercial operation begins, it could easily accommodate a few parking spaces or another of that size. Anyone who can rope in a flat area of can accept a delivery or an appointment pick-up. In fact, you don’t even need to open it. An automatic belt conveyor unfolds from the cargo compartment, making it easy to pick up and unload items.
Mighty Fly
MightyFly says it has been in flight testing since December. The FAA has granted the company a special airworthiness certificate that allows it to be flight tested, but it is not currently capable of carrying cargo in commercial operations. MightyFly has also been granted an authorization certificate that gives him 230 square miles (596 square kilometers) of airspace and an altitude ceiling of 5,000 feet (1,500 m) for testing hover-to-cruise transitions. The company hopes to soon be able to demonstrate a 600-mile mission carrying a full 100 pounds of cargo, an unprecedented feat.
It certainly seems like some sort of service company would like to use it, but when will automated cargo drones that eliminate these bottlenecks become commercially operational? MightyFly speculates at this stage. It says it is not ready to jeopardize , and simply says it is “looking for business partnerships for proof-of-concept delivery service operations” at some point “2023 and beyond.”
Mighty Fly
that’s fair enough. You would expect a self-flying 350-pound object to be thoroughly tested and proven before being released near the public. MightyFly says he is working on another machine carrying a 500-pound (227 kg) payload. You can hear the company pitch and see Cento in the video below.
MightyFly, the future of logistics, customer testimonials
Source: Mighty Fly
