Astro Aerospace Elroy

Elroy (Formerly "Passenger Drone")
Astro Aerospace
Lewisville, Texas, USA
www.flyastro.com

The Astro Elroy was originally announced in July 2017 after autonomous flights had been conducted, under the company and vehicle name, "Passenger Drone" (see Astro’s Elroy Blasts Off, Vertiflite, Nov/Dec 2018). According to the announcement, the aircraft commenced flight testing in early May 2017 and then spent several months performing intensive testing with different simulated payload weights, simulated engine failures and different control modes. In August 2017, the first manned flights with passengers aboard took place. Photos of the aircraft show versions with landing gear and skids. The company was originally based in Europe.

After flying the aircraft manned, the founders commenced efforts to sell the technology. On May 8, 2018, Astro Aerospace announced that it had acquired the company; the CEO is Bruce Bent. It was initially renamed the "AA360" but that was replaced with "Elroy" in September 2018.

The Elroy is an autonomous eVTOL transport vehicle which can transport 2 passengers. It's designed to be quiet, with zero emissions and very little vibration. The Elroy has adaptive flight control for automatic compensation in most weather conditions. 16 individual rotors ensure outstanding performance and safety. Fiber optics throughout the craft offers reduced weight over traditional wires, with zero magnetic interference. A touchscreen interface allows passengers to input their destination quickly, and to fly there without the use of manual controls.

Astro announced in July 2018 that it had forged a relationship with composite manufacturer Paterson Composites: "Specializing in carbon fiber, Paterson Composites will work with Astro Aerospace to construct the entire airframe of the [Elroy, version 2] Passenger Drone including the cockpit, frame, and propeller blades."

In August 2018, Astro announced a partnership with Kasaero GmbH, based in Stuttgart, Germany, saying that "Kasaero is an aviation R&D company specializing in lightweight design, composite technology and certification." In addition, Astro announced that it soon would unveil its PassengerDrone [now Elroy] Version 2.0 and CargoDrone [Orbit] Version 1.0 models.

In September 2018, the company announced that Transport Canada had "granted a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC), a permit for the operation of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) system, for its passenger drone project," which it announced was now called “Elroy” (furthering the Jetson's theme of the company name). Elroy was flight tested at the Toronto Markham Airport (CNU8) and video posted of it on Sept. 19, 2018. 

In early March, 2019, after their successful 2018 test flight, the company announced some improvements slated for the third quarter of the year. Improvements include a new “industrial” patented design concept with a modular foldable design, significantly improved payload and flight time capabilities, a triple redundant flight control system architecture, new motor controller design and battery management systems, improved flight information displays, and larger customized propellers.

After the first creation and flight of the Elroy, Astro Aerospace announced the development of the Alta.

Passenger Drone [Elroy Version 1] Characteristics (updated November 2017):

Company Insights:

• Pitchbook
• MarketWatch
• Tracxn

Resources:

• Astro Aerospace website
• Astro Aerospace Facebook
• Astro Aerospace Twitter
• Astro Aerospace YouTube
• Video: Passenger Drone - The most advanced Manned Autonomous VTOL in the World, Astro Aerospace, July 16, 2017
• Video: Passenger Drone First Manned Flight, Astro Aerospace, Sept. 27, 2017
• Article: Passenger Drone launches two-seater electric manned aircraft!, eVTOL News, Sept. 29, 2017
• Article: 'Passenger Drone' completes its first manned flight, Daily Mail, Oct. 3, 2017
• Article: Astro Aerospace acquires VTOL industry leader Passenger Drone, Astro Aerospace, June 2018
• Article: Astro Aerospace enhances development team with hiring of Kasaero, Vertical Magazine, Aug. 10, 2018
• Video: Elroy Takes Flight, Astro Aerospace, Sept. 19, 2018
• Article: Astro's Passenger Drone Proves Its Chops in the Air, Robb Report, Oct. 10, 2018
• Article: Astro’s Elroy Blasts Off, Vertiflite, Nov/Dec 2018
• Article: Astro Sets Industry Standard With New Upgrades Before Anticipated Q3 eVTOL Launch, Global Newswire, March 4, 2019