Fly-By-Wire Aircraft Described As 'Fun, Environmentally Friendly, Affordable'

At first glance, the YouFly "personal compact aerial vehicle" looks like a big inner tube with a seat. Developed by the Australian company Entecho, the aircraft is designed to be and "affordable, true all terrain, environmentally friendly flying vehicle that is designed for fun."

The company has released a YouTube video commercial for the YouFly that directly targets skydivers, kiteboarders, and downhill skiers. Entecho says on its website that the vehicle was designed after research that showed that the market was ripe for such a craft "provided that environmental issues, such as noise and terrain damage, were minimal. There was strong agreement that the product should not be constrained to close ground effect like the hovercraft."

The YouFly is a fly-by-wire aircraft that would not require a pilots license to operate. The company says that a "very realistic simulator" would be used for training, and that at least three successful sim flights would be required before allowing a customer to fly the aircraft. It will normally be programmed not to exceed about six feet in altitude, however the company does say that the device can be re-programmed to allow it to go higher, and that a pilots license "may be required" for such applications. They say that regulations governing such aircraft as hang gliders would likely serve as a guideline for rules covering the aircraft.

The aircraft is powered by an electric motor driving a centrifugal fan that moves 60 cubic meters of air every second, the company says.

The company says that static testing is underway, and that unmanned flight tests may begin later this year. They hope to have the YouFly available for sale on the international market by 2015. The company is currently offering position options to prospective buyers.

(Image from Entecho YouTube video animation.)

FMI: Watch the Video, www.youflyentecho.com