Russia's New 'Flying Car' Is Basically a Lawn Chair With Motors

Mass production of personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft has officially kicked off in the Kemerovo region. According to technical director Maxim Ivlev (male), the project relies on domestic assembly while shopping abroad for the only parts that actually make the thing fly: the motors and batteries. The units are currently marketed to private buyers, with a production capacity that could reach one hundred machines per year if anyone is brave enough to test the limit.

These vehicles come in weight classes up to 110 kg and use a combination of carbon fiber and titanium to keep the structural integrity from collapsing under the weight of the pilot's ambition. The system handles 90% of the flight dynamics through automated stabilization, which is convenient since the craft turns into a very expensive paperweight if it rains, snows, or the temperature shifts outside a narrow range.

While Maxim Ivlev (male) insists these will replace helicopters, the regulations are even more creative; in the Russian Federation, these crafts aren't even fully certified aircraft. They are legally treated as "independent builds" and registered through Gosuslugi, effectively turning the sky into a collection of DIY projects. Meanwhile, X-SKY One is running its own tests in Sakhalin, hoping to turn these buzzy drones into a legitimate urban taxi network, provided they don't run out of battery mid-commute.

It’s truly inspiring to see a country redefine aviation by turning the sky into a deregulated playground for homemade drones. Relying on foreign engines to power a "domestic breakthrough" is a classic trope, but at least the Gosuslugi registration process is seamless. One has to admire the confidence required to call a weather-sensitive drone a helicopter replacement while treating complex aviation safety as a casual weekend hobby.