CycloTech BlackBird (technology demonstrator)

(Photo credit: CycloTech)

CycloTech Blackbird (technology demonstrator)
CycloTech GmbH
Linz, Austria
www.cyclotech.aero

CycloTech GmbH was founded in 2004 in Austria (originally as IAT 21) and has been to date, actively pursuing research and development, manufacturing and testing their CycloRotor technology. The company's core business is the development and optimization of CycloRotors for the propulsion of hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) passenger and air cargo aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). According to one website, the company has as least six patents as of October 2023. While the company has already has had investments from Breeze Invest, the company is seeking more financial investors. The company is the leading developer of cyclorgyro technology. (Image credit: CycloTech)

CyclorRotor
The CycloRotor is a series of propeller blades mounted on both ends to rotating disks, forming what could be called a bladed cylinder. The unique ability of the blades is they are similar to how most helicopter rotorblades work, each propeller can continuously change its angle or pitch. The blades will tilt gradually into the wind and as they reach a certain point in their rotation, they will gradually tilt back to flat as they pass the peak point. The core of the drive concept was established by Ernst Schneider and the Voith GmbH technology group nearly 100 years ago, and patented as the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP).

When CycloRotors are placed perpendicularly and vertically to the fuselage of an aircraft, the CycloRotors enable high-precision flight in all directions (or superior maneuverability) as well as mid-air braking even in gusty wind conditions. This means the aircraft has has 360° thrust vectoring capability. The means the aircraft now has the ability to instantaneously and precisely move the aircraft in any direction. This ability allows for an easy and smooth transition from VTOL to forward flight. It is possible to keep the aircraft fuselage at any angle, independent from the flight direction. This is called decoupling of the flight path and the vehicle attitude. The propulsion system is ideal for safe operation in crowed airspace and confined areas. This is all accomplished without tilting or banking the aircraft. When there are six CycloRotors on an aircraft, they provide a high level of redundancy, allowing to pilot to fly and land safely, even if one or two CycloRotors fail to work.

Benefits of CycloRotors

• The aircraft has 360° thrust vectoring capability. The means the aircraft has the ability to instantaneously and precisely move the aircraft in any direction.
• Superior maneuverability in any wind condition including gusty wind conditions
• Easy transition from VTOL to forward flight and back
• It is possible to keep the aircraft fuselage at any angle, independent from the flight direction.
• Allows the aircraft to have a small footprint
• The VTOL aircraft can fly in confined areas
• Provides a comfortable ride for the pilot and passengers because the CycloRotors can maneuver the fuselage in any position while in flight
• CycloRotors are very reliable and have a long service life
• CycloRotor technology reduces the cost of the aircraft and maintenance costs

BlackBird uncrewed eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft
The BlackBird is an uncrewed eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft. The aircraft uses a unique propulsion unit called a CycloRotor. The technology demonstrator is the world's first aircraft using six advanced 7th generation CycloRotors on its airframe, two more CycloRotors than any previous technology demonstrators the company has manufactured. The maiden flight of the Blackbird took place on March 27, 2025. It is noteworthy that the time between the Blackbird concept design was created to the maiden flight, it took only 11 months.

There is no pilot or simulated air cargo on the aircraft, the aircraft is assumed to be remotely piloted. The cruise speed of the technology demonstrator is unknown but the empty weight of the aircraft is 340 kg ( 750 lb). The aircraft has six 7th generation CycloRotors, six electric motors and is powered by batteries. The fuselage is made from carbon fiber composite to give the aircraft a high strength to low weight ratio. The aircraft has fixed skid landing gear.

CycloRotors allow a full 360° thrust vectoring capability. CyclorRotos allow for vertical take-off and landing, hovering with a pitched angle, mid-air braking, parallel parking and precision landing even in adverse weather conditions.

Notable Blackbird Technology Demonstrator Information

• The BlackBird technology demonstrator project launched in April 2024
• Airframe derived from CruiseUp feasibility study and completed in 6 months
• E-drive designed and built by suppliers in just 4.5 months
• Battery modules and thermal management systems developed in 5 months
• Core systems (LV PDU, HV PDU, harnesses) completed in 6 months
• Rotor, flight control and avionics software developed in parallel within 6 months
• Component and system integration led to full assembly within 10 months
• Testing conducted at a general aviation airport, according to EASA regulations

“The BlackBird is more than a (technology) demonstrator—it’s a flying testbed for the future of aviation,” said Tahsin Kart, CTO of CycloTech. “To see it take flight in such a short time is a testament to our team’s innovation and spirit.”

Of note, technology demonstrator or prototype specifications have the possibility of changing as each prototype and then final production models are refined, ground tested and flown with avionics, aircraft components and payloads.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Uncrewed eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft
• Piloting: Remote control with fight-critical software & avionics (rotor control, flight control and avionics)
• Capacity: No pilot, no cargo
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Empty weight: 340 kg (750 lb)
• Propellers: 6 CycloRotors (7th generation CycloRotors with 360° thrust vectoring capabilities)
• Electric motors: 6 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries with thermal management
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite unique airframe
• Landing gear: Fixed skid landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) uses multiple propellers or electric ducted fans, each powered by electric motors, to increase safety through redundancy. If one or more components fail, the remaining ones can still ensure a safe landing. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight and the reverse which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Related Aircraft:

• CycloTech Air Taxi V1 (concept design)
• CycloTech Air Taxi V2 (concept design)
• CycloTech Bumblebee (technology demonstrator)
• CycloTech CCY-01 (concept design)
• CycloTech Compound Helicopter (concept design)
• CycloTech CruiseUp (concept design)
• CycloTech D-Dalus (concept design)
• CycloTech UAV Demonstrator (concept design)

Company Insights:

• Airframer
• Crunchbase
• Dun & Bradstreet
• North Data
• Pitchbook
• Tracxn

Resources:

• CycloTech website
• CycloTech X (Formerly Twitter)
• CycloTech YouTube Channel
• CycloTech LinkedIn
• CycloTech Linktree
• Cyclogyro Wikipedia
• Cyclorotor Wikipedia
• Voith Schneider Propeller Wikipedia
• Video: BlackBird | Revolutionizing Aircraft Design, CycloTech GmbH, Feb. 24, 2025
• Article: Barrel-rotor flying car prototype begins flight testing, New Atlas, Apr. 3, 2025
• Article: CycloTech’s BlackBird demonstrator achieves successful maiden flight, Vertical Magazine, Apr. 3, 2025
• Article: CycloTech’s BlackBird completes first flight, Military Aerospace Electronics, Apr. 7, 2025
• Article: CycloTech eVTOL Demonstrates Next-Gen Thrust Vectoring in Maiden Flight, Advanced Air Mobility International, Apr. 10, 2025
• Article: CycloTech Begins Test Flights With BlackBird, Electric VTOL News, Apr. 27, 2025
• Article: CycloTech’s BlackBird makes its first flight with CycloRotors, Inspenet, May 17, 2025