Overview
- HopFlyt is publicly detailing the Cyclone, a hybrid VTOL drone that revives Willard Custer’s semicircular channel wing with pivoting mounts for hover and cruise.
- The channel wing places a propeller in a curved cutout to speed air over the wing, which creates strong lift at low speed and helps vertical and short takeoffs.
- During liftoff the channels face rearward for upward thrust, then rotate under the wing for forward flight, and they can also serve as air brakes on descent.
- Company claims include about one‑third less climb power than typical VTOLs, under three gallons per hour of fuel burn, and more than 800 miles of range with a 250‑pound payload.
- HopFlyt is raising a Series A to fund hybrid‑electric prototypes and flight demos, is targeting a 2027 logistics launch, and says independent testing and certification will be needed to verify the performance and cost figures.