PALO ALTO, Calif., July 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OPENER, Inc. , a pioneer of aero vehicles for consumer travel, today revealed BlackFly; the world’s first ultralight all-electric fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. BlackFly is a single-seat Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) designed and built for a new world of three-dimensional transportation. BlackFly is simple to master and requires no formal licensing (in USA) or special skills to operate safely. Though BlackFly has full amphibious capabilities, it is primarily designed to easily operate from small grassy areas and travel distances of up to 25 miles at a speed of 62 mph (USA restriction).

“OPENER is re-energizing the art of flight with a safe and affordable flying vehicle that can free its operators from the everyday restrictions of ground transportation,” said Marcus Leng, CEO. “We will offer competitive pricing in an endeavor to democratize three-dimensional personal transportation. Safety has been our primary driving goal in the development of this new technology. OPENER will be introducing this innovation in a controlled and responsible manner.  Even though not required by FAA regulations, BlackFly operators will be required to successfully complete the FAA Private Pilot written examination and also complete company-mandated vehicle familiarization and operator training.”

The OPENER team has spent the last nine years in stealth mode, designing, developing, and testing new innovative technologies which have now evolved into the zero-emission BlackFly vehicles.  Fault-tolerant design and triple modular redundancy reside at the core of these vehicles. Eight propulsion systems, spread across two wings, provide for multiple-failure security. Years of continuous testing, combined with 1,000+ flights and 10,000+ miles flown, form the bedrock of OPENER’s development program.

OPENER’s long-term vision is to integrate these highly-efficient vehicles into a rural/urban commuting network. These networks would be powered by renewable energy sources requiring only a fraction of the transportation energy used currently.

DREAM OF FLIGHT “The future of Aviation begins today,” said Alan Eustace, Director at OPENER and former Senior Vice President of Knowledge at Google. “The dream of flight, which was so difficult and expensive to obtain, will soon be within the reach of millions. OPENER is putting the fun back into flying and opening up a new world of possibilities.”

MAKING HISTORY "I just saw the future. Watching BlackFly take flight just blew me away.  I've never seen anything like it,” said Darren Pleasance, EAA Board of Directors. "The magnitude of innovation that OPENER has been driving in electric motors, aerodynamics, and VTOL operations is stunning and inspiring. OPENER has made a huge step forward in bringing the Jetson's world to life." CHECK OUT BLACKFLY VEHICLES  AT EAA AIRVENTURE OPENER vehicles will be on display at the 2018 EAA AirVenture Convention in Oshkosh, WI from July 23 to July 29, 2018. The public is invited to view the vehicles in the Innovation Showcase, booths IC-12A and 13A, and also experience three-dimensional flight by operating the vehicles in a virtual reality simulation.

BLACKFLY - ADDITIONAL FEATURES

  • Manufactured in the USA
  • Super Charging capable (less than 30 mins)
  • Low noise signature
  • Geofence-capable
  • Automatic Return-to-Home button (localized training feature)
  • Ballistic parachute option available

About OPENER On Oct 5, 2011, history quietly was made near the small town of Warkworth, Ontario, Canada. That day saw the first manned flight of a fixed wing all-electric VTOL aircraft. This event prompted the formation of a stealth company with the sole purpose of pursuing the development of this new unique technology. In September of 2014, the Company reorganized as OPENER and relocated the majority of its operations to Silicon Valley in California to pursue an unencumbered and accelerated development timeline.

Find videos and more information at https://opener.aero

Media Contact: Heidi Groshelle Groshelle Communications heidi@groshelle.com 415.307.1380

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...cf90a7ff9f

The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at  http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...4f7fdd1c44