Full Breakdown
Uttarakhand Inventor Completes Test Flight of Electric Flying Car Prototype
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Development Milestone
Ravi Tamta, a Bachelor of Arts graduate from Almora district in Uttarakhand, successfully conducted a test flight of his single-seater electric flying vehicle, the HAPIDA SKYNeX, in August. The prototype lifts off and lands vertically, eliminating the need for a runway, and is powered by batteries that drive several electric motors and propellers similar to those used in multirotor drones.
Background and Motivation
Tamta grew up in the village of Kaflikhan, near Jageshwar Dham, where steep, winding roads make travel to hospitals and other essential services time-consuming. Those difficulties sparked his interest in personal air mobility for hilly terrain, and he began envisioning a flying car in 2015.
Self-Directed Learning Path
Without formal training in engineering or aviation, Tamta spent 13 years acquiring technical knowledge through online resources, repeated hands-on experiments, and support from his father, Harish Ram, a mechanic. Prior to the flying vehicle, he created inventions such as phone-charging shoes, a smart walking stick for the visually impaired, a bamboo-splitting machine, and firefighting equipment for the Forest Department.
Prototype Design and Technical Features
- Configuration: Single-seat aircraft with a lightweight frame, cockpit and transparent canopy.
- Propulsion: Multiple electric motors and propellers enable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL).
- Power source: Battery-driven; no aviation fuel or ethanol is required.
- Intended use: Designed to shorten short-distance travel across difficult terrain, with potential applications in remote communities and medical emergencies.
Regulatory and Safety Considerations
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must grant the necessary permissions before the HAPIDA SKYNeX can be used operationally. Experts note that additional trials are required to evaluate flight stability, battery performance, motor operation, flight-control systems and overall safety. These assessments are essential to meet the technical, operational and regulatory standards for human flight.
Future Steps
Further testing will focus on the vehicle’s reliability, stability, motor performance, battery endurance and emergency-system functionality. Successful completion of these trials and approval from the DGCA are prerequisite for any passenger-carrying or commercial deployment. If cleared, the prototype could offer faster transport options for residents of mountainous regions and support emergency medical access where road travel is limited.