SureFly, the hybrid VTOL multi-copter in development by the Workhorse Group, will fly at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday, July 24, during the afternoon airshow, EAA has announced. The flight will highlight EAA’s Innovations Day activities. “We are thrilled to fly this year,” said Steve Burns, CEO of Workhorse Group. The two-seat aircraft was introduced at last year’s show and the company is now working with the FAA toward type certification. “We appreciate the opportunity to publicly demonstrate our exciting progress at the world’s greatest aviation celebration,” Burns said.
The SureFly has a 70-mile range and 400-pound useful load, according to the company, with a top speed of 70 MPH. It’s powered by a gasoline piston engine that drives two generators, which charge the batteries for the prop motors. EAA also said it will have a CriCri twin-engine airplane flying in the airshow, for the first time since 2009. The small aircraft, with a wingspan of about 16 feet, will take off from the top of a moving Ford Explorer. EAA also said it plans to fly 100 lighted drones in its night airshows on Wednesday and Saturday (July 25 and 28), which will be a first for North America.
