MightyFly Wins $150K Demo Grant to Show Their Tool to Revolutionize Logistics
By Bill Johnson
MightyFly, a manufacturer and operator of long-range, autonomous, hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) cargo aircraft, announced in a 28 June 2023 press release the award of a $150,000 grant on 30 May 2023 from the Michigan Mobility Funding Program. Under the terms of the grant, MightyFly will perform the primary public demonstration of an autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft showcasing 100 kilos of cargo deliveries.
Supported by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), these demonstration flights will provide MightyFly the prospect to showcase 100 kilos of autonomous cargo delivery. In this fashion, MightyFly expects to offer prospective customers with tangible evidence of their express delivery solutions that can bring latest logistics opportunities to businesses.
As detailed within the press release, the logistics needs of Michigan’s manufacturing, automotive, logistics, retail, chemical and pharmaceutical industries offer the best scenario for MightyFly to display a brand new approach to ship products, parts, supplies and various goods. These Michigan businesses need express logistics, with fast, efficient, and reasonably priced same-day shipping services. MightyFly sees their one-shot business-to-business (B2B) delivery services as providing cost savings for just-in-time manufacturing lines, timely delivery of crucial shipments for medical treatments, and quick replacements of fast-moving consumer goods to retailers.
MightyFly CEO, Manal Habib explained in a recent interview, the demonstration flights are scheduled to occur over a two-week period and plan to conduct autonomous point-to-point flights that highlight several necessary use cases of particular interest to the expected customer base. “We’re going to display full autonomous flight from takeoff to cruise flight to landing, while demonstrating quite a lot of cargo deliveries. This might be the primary entry [of a large autonomous fixed-wing eVTOL] into the market. We might be demonstrating to our future customers what we are able to serve them, how a lot better it’s and the way way more convenient it’s. Most times, convenience is priceless!”
Habib sees Michigan as a primary location to display this capability. For her, Michigan is expanding their industrial base into Advanced Air Mobility while also being very supportive of start-ups like MightyFly. “Michigan is currently putting lots of effort into entering the Advanced Air Mobility market. Having been within the transportation sector and seeing the track transportation is moving on, it only is smart to enter the aviation market. To that end, they’re doing loads to draw many start-ups.”
She also noted the state is working to each support their long-standing automotive industry and move towards the long run of mobility, “There’s currently a reasonably large need within the hardware industry for reasonably priced same-day delivery services to maintain their just-in-time manufacturing working. This goes beyond manufacturing, to retail and other businesses as well, but what stands out about Michigan is the automotive industry and the way the federal government straight away is attempting to back aviation to each help the automotive industry and make certain that Michigan goes to be a part of the long run, and the long run is in aviation.”
The press release explains the grant program is managed by the OFME as a part of a statewide technique to ensure Michigan stays the worldwide leader in the long run of mobility, electrification policy and innovation. This system was launched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to catalyze and scale latest mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability by encouraging EV adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, increasing access to reasonably priced and reliable transportation options and modernizing existing transportation systems for Michiganders. The OFME has previously partnered with the Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium (MUASC) to facilitate testing of autonomous aircraft in Michigan. The OFME works across state government, regulators, academia and personal industry to construct a sturdy ecosystem of partners able to leading the adoption and use of transformative mobility solutions like that of MightyFly.
“We all know the long run of mobility is greater than just vehicles – it’s on air, land and sea,” said Charlie Tyson, Technology Activation Manager, OFME. “Michigan is uniquely positioned to support testing, development, and deployment of recent technologies that can result in more cost-effective, accessible transportation solutions and we’re excited to support MightyFly through the MMFP program and their continued efforts to grow in Michigan.”
Habib’s enthusiasm for the chance to display their aircrafts capability is clear within the press release statement, “We’re excited to be the primary large, autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL cargo delivery company to display how autonomous aerial expedited logistics solutions will higher serve Michiganders. This demonstration might be the primary stepping stone for the efficient flow of products the world over, making it possible for everybody to access reliable and reasonably priced same-day deliveries. We might be making history!”
The vision for MightyFly continues after these demonstrations that might be performed under their FAA special airworthiness certificate. Along with this project, MightyFly is currently scoping and planning proof of concept (POCs) trials with partners throughout 2024 and 2025. Habib says they’re working closely with the FAA towards the last word goal of a Part 135 approval along side a sort and manufacturing certification to operate as a logistics service provider.
MightyFly’s current facility, that has manufactured the R&D aircraft, will give you the chance to supply multiple third generation production aircraft. Nonetheless, as they scale their operations, they’re open to expanding with other options. As Habib stated: “We currently developed full capability to fabricate in-house. This permits us to maneuver quickly, because once you might have all the pieces in-house, you’ll be able to, especially within the R&D phases, churn through the event of aircraft quickly.”
MightyFly sees their vehicle as having the three critical elements needed to resolve the just-in-time logistics problem faced by hardware manufacturers. First is autonomy and the fee savings it is going to provide operators. Habib points out, “Aircraft which might be electric but are usually not autonomous, have a giant drawback because they still must pay for labor. And that is the most important cost think about logistics.”
For Habib, just as necessary, the flexibility to take off and land vertically provides the vital convenience and time savings that can support just-in-time operations. She is adamant on this point, “Should you are really seeking to provide these hourly, convenient solutions, you have to have a one-shot delivery from source to destination. If you might have to do a primary step, go to the airport, unload and cargo, and do a second step from airport to airport, then a 3rd step. Now we’ve got three stages and every have loading and unloading. Ignore convenience and hourly, because now you’re at a day or more
The ultimate element is economy of scale. MightyFly promotes its third-generation autonomous cargo aircraft as having a 100 kilos cargo capability and a 6 ft by 19 inch by 18 inch cargo bay, able to carrying as much as 212 small USPS packages.
For Habib, smaller, single package delivery drones just can’t compete. “There are lots of the small
The aerial logistics market appears to be very competitive. But in her eyes, Habib sees MightyFly in an excellent position. “If you get technology like ours, it unlocks a big market,” she says. Adding, “So that you actually need to bring the economy of scale, with autonomy and eVTOL points, with long range into one solution. Actually, there are very, only a few players putting all those benefits together. If anything, the market can use more of them.”
With this grant and the next demonstrations, it looks like MightyFly is well on the approach to being amongst those only a few.