FAQs

Frequently asked questions

frequently asked questions

What is FLUTR

A personal air vehicle for getting from home to the shops, school, work, client’s office, the golf course, a trip to the beach, the mountains, or wherever your imagination takes you. It can also be used for rapid response emergency vehicles in congested urban neighborhoods or remote country areas, and search, rescue and patrol operations for safety organisations. Together, many FLUTR vehicles become a scaleable aerial mobility transport system. FLUTR stands for Flying Urban Transporter It is also an abbreviation of "flutter" as in the motion of butterflies.



what does FLUTR the company do

FLUTR, the company, creates air vehicles and technology suitable for the widespread adoption of personal air transport. Separate FLUTR vehicles combine to form a centrally managed aerial mobility transport system.



is it easy to fly?

If you can drive a car, and use a smartphone, you can drive FLUTR. Getting used to a vehicle that flies is faster and easier than you may think. Or if you want to pay a little extra, a professional pilot can come and do the flying for you (AirTaxi mode).



how many people will it fit?

1 - 4 people* 2 adults, or 1 adult, 2 children, or 1 adult, 3 small children. (child size determined by weight- details later) *final capacity determined by regulatory permission



what happens if something goes wrong?

In case of mechanical failure or unscripted incident, a rapid deploying chute is deployed. We are evaluating various chute designs, and in conjunction with built in energy absorbing seats and airbags, to ensure a safe outcome from any height.



how do I use it?

FLUTR can be hailed like a taxi using the FLUTR app (under development), or if you have done the quick 1-2 day training course, you can find the nearest FLUTR on the app and jump in and fly it yourself. Or you can purchase and fly your own vehicle from home/office/anywhere at anytime. Or you can use your company owned FLUTR anytime (self fly, or piloted).



when will it be ready?

We are working at warp speed to get this vehicle into the hands of the millions of people who want one today. As soon as a complete and safe vehicle and operating system is fully tested and certified by the safety authorities we will let you know.
In the meantime you can reserve flights (FLUTR minutes) or pre-order vehicles.



Where

licensing

don't I need a license?

If you want to fly it your self then yes. Because the vehicle and remote pilot system handles 99% of the piloting, you only need to learn a few skills via a 1-2 day quick course to be licensed on a FLUTR. Or just call for a piloted FLUTR to pick you up.



license and training

We are working with relevant authorities to reduce the training to just one weekend. Due to the simplicity and safety of the onboard and remote flight management and piloting system, you are likely to pick it up in less than an hour. We will handle all of the licensing paperwork requirements for you. You will be issued a FLUTR license. Minimum pre-requisites are a driving license and associated minimum medical requirements. Or just call for a piloted airTaxi FLUTR.



is it easy to fly?

Extremely. If you can drive a car and handle a smartphone, then you can learn how to fly yourself with FLUTR in a few short days. Automatic flight stability, weather, terrain and traffic avoidance, route guidance, system monitoring, means that you just have to select your destination and push START.



isn’t aircraft ownership complicated? With maintenance, annual inspections, insurance etc?

Yes. We will manage this headache for you. FLUTR will arrange maintenance through a network of approved and certified aircraft mechanics. FLUTR will arrange insurance coverage for the vehicle and the driver, through a fleet wide provider. FLUTR will arrange scheduled annual maintenance inspections by coming to your location. In a FLUTR of course.



Licensing

licensing

don't I need a license?

If you want to fly it your self then yes. Because the vehicle and remote pilot system handles 99% of the piloting, you only need to learn a few skills via a 1-2 day quick course to be licensed on a FLUTR. Or just call for a piloted FLUTR to pick you up.



license and training

We are working with relevant authorities to reduce the training to just one weekend. Due to the simplicity and safety of the onboard and remote flight management and piloting system, you are likely to pick it up in less than an hour. We will handle all of the licensing paperwork requirements for you. You will be issued a FLUTR license. Minimum pre-requisites are a driving license and associated minimum medical requirements. Or just call for a piloted airTaxi FLUTR.



is it easy to fly?

Extremely. If you can drive a car and handle a smartphone, then you can learn how to fly yourself with FLUTR in a few short days. Automatic flight stability, weather, terrain and traffic avoidance, route guidance, system monitoring, means that you just have to select your destination and push START.



isn’t aircraft ownership complicated? With maintenance, annual inspections, insurance etc?

Yes. We will manage this headache for you. FLUTR will arrange maintenance through a network of approved and certified aircraft mechanics. FLUTR will arrange insurance coverage for the vehicle and the driver, through a fleet wide provider. FLUTR will arrange scheduled annual maintenance inspections by coming to your location. In a FLUTR of course.



Pricing

licensing

don't I need a license?

If you want to fly it your self then yes. Because the vehicle and remote pilot system handles 99% of the piloting, you only need to learn a few skills via a 1-2 day quick course to be licensed on a FLUTR. Or just call for a piloted FLUTR to pick you up.



license and training

We are working with relevant authorities to reduce the training to just one weekend. Due to the simplicity and safety of the onboard and remote flight management and piloting system, you are likely to pick it up in less than an hour. We will handle all of the licensing paperwork requirements for you. You will be issued a FLUTR license. Minimum pre-requisites are a driving license and associated minimum medical requirements. Or just call for a piloted airTaxi FLUTR.



is it easy to fly?

Extremely. If you can drive a car and handle a smartphone, then you can learn how to fly yourself with FLUTR in a few short days. Automatic flight stability, weather, terrain and traffic avoidance, route guidance, system monitoring, means that you just have to select your destination and push START.



isn’t aircraft ownership complicated? With maintenance, annual inspections, insurance etc?

Yes. We will manage this headache for you. FLUTR will arrange maintenance through a network of approved and certified aircraft mechanics. FLUTR will arrange insurance coverage for the vehicle and the driver, through a fleet wide provider. FLUTR will arrange scheduled annual maintenance inspections by coming to your location. In a FLUTR of course.



Vehicle Specifications

licensing

don't I need a license?

If you want to fly it your self then yes. Because the vehicle and remote pilot system handles 99% of the piloting, you only need to learn a few skills via a 1-2 day quick course to be licensed on a FLUTR. Or just call for a piloted FLUTR to pick you up.



license and training

We are working with relevant authorities to reduce the training to just one weekend. Due to the simplicity and safety of the onboard and remote flight management and piloting system, you are likely to pick it up in less than an hour. We will handle all of the licensing paperwork requirements for you. You will be issued a FLUTR license. Minimum pre-requisites are a driving license and associated minimum medical requirements. Or just call for a piloted airTaxi FLUTR.



is it easy to fly?

Extremely. If you can drive a car and handle a smartphone, then you can learn how to fly yourself with FLUTR in a few short days. Automatic flight stability, weather, terrain and traffic avoidance, route guidance, system monitoring, means that you just have to select your destination and push START.



isn’t aircraft ownership complicated? With maintenance, annual inspections, insurance etc?

Yes. We will manage this headache for you. FLUTR will arrange maintenance through a network of approved and certified aircraft mechanics. FLUTR will arrange insurance coverage for the vehicle and the driver, through a fleet wide provider. FLUTR will arrange scheduled annual maintenance inspections by coming to your location. In a FLUTR of course.



Ownership and Usage

ownership and usage

if I purchase a FLUTR, can I sell it to anyone?

Yes. But FLUTR reserves the right to ensure that the new owner will be a responsible operator. To do this any owner must agree to the terms of the owner’s agreement which details a minimal number of simple and reasonable conditions that ensures the safety of themselves and the public that they will fly over. The principle of responsible ownership is supported by the general aviation and regulation community.



how does FLUTR guarantee the competence of drivers?

We will ensure that competent and approved driver training is provided, and we will use background and medical checks to keep airspace safe. Just as importantly we will endeavor not to over regulate or complicate the process. Definitely no red tape. Airspace and aerial freedom of movement belongs to you, not bureaucratic corporations.



I'm a qualified pilot, can I buy one?

Of course. Although we are not intending that the vehicle be used just for pilots, but by everybody. But we realize that there is a strong demand by pilots who are looking for a simpler and easier flying vehicle ownership experience. Note that your flying license will likely not cover this type of vehicle and flying conditions, so supplemental instruction will be required (separate FLUTR type rating).



can I buy a FLUTR and use it as an airTaxi?

Yes. Note only qualified commercial pilots are legally allowed to drive FLUTR as a taxi (due to government regulations in most countries). You will require a normal helicopter license, and a commercial airplane license. FLUTR will screen pilots for suitability (flight and competence test) before allowing them to fly passengers or cargo commercially, as FLUTR is connected to a centrally managed flight operating system.



can I buy a fleet of FLUTRs and lease them out?

Yes. More details coming soon. Please contact sales@flutrmotors.com for pre-release information.



if I reserved a delivery slot is it easy to cancel?

Yes. Deposits with initial amounts above $1,000 are fully refundable at any time, up to the date of delivery. Instead of cancelling you may wish to sell your delivery slot which can be done on the website. See terms for full conditions.



Safety

frequently asked questions

What is FLUTR

A personal air vehicle for getting from home to the shops, school, work, client’s office, the golf course, a trip to the beach, the mountains, or wherever your imagination takes you. It can also be used for rapid response emergency vehicles in congested urban neighborhoods or remote country areas, and search, rescue and patrol operations for safety organisations. Together, many FLUTR vehicles become a scaleable aerial mobility transport system. FLUTR stands for Flying Urban Transporter It is also an abbreviation of "flutter" as in the motion of butterflies.



what does FLUTR the company do

FLUTR, the company, creates air vehicles and technology suitable for the widespread adoption of personal air transport. Separate FLUTR vehicles combine to form a centrally managed aerial mobility transport system.



is it easy to fly?

If you can drive a car, and use a smartphone, you can drive FLUTR. Getting used to a vehicle that flies is faster and easier than you may think. Or if you want to pay a little extra, a professional pilot can come and do the flying for you (AirTaxi mode).



how many people will it fit?

1 - 4 people* 2 adults, or 1 adult, 2 children, or 1 adult, 3 small children. (child size determined by weight- details later) *final capacity determined by regulatory permission



what happens if something goes wrong?

In case of mechanical failure or unscripted incident, a rapid deploying chute is deployed. We are evaluating various chute designs, and in conjunction with built in energy absorbing seats and airbags, to ensure a safe outcome from any height.



how do I use it?

FLUTR can be hailed like a taxi using the FLUTR app (under development), or if you have done the quick 1-2 day training course, you can find the nearest FLUTR on the app and jump in and fly it yourself. Or you can purchase and fly your own vehicle from home/office/anywhere at anytime. Or you can use your company owned FLUTR anytime (self fly, or piloted).



when will it be ready?

We are working at warp speed to get this vehicle into the hands of the millions of people who want one today. As soon as a complete and safe vehicle and operating system is fully tested and certified by the safety authorities we will let you know.
In the meantime you can reserve flights (FLUTR minutes) or pre-order vehicles.



Technical

technical

so it's electric?

Yes and no. It uses electric motors, and a turbine driven electric generator (like an APU). It doesn't use batteries, like an electric car. Electrically powered aircraft with VTOL (Vertical TakeOff Landing capacity) have limited useable range due to battery technology, and are not expected to be practical for at least 10 years. VTOL or any machine that hovers uses large amounts of energy, similar to how a hummingbird requires constant energy from nectar. Compare pushing a car with trying to lift a car: To push a 2 tonne electric car 1 mile along the road only requires 2kWH, but to lift a 2 tonne vehicle, using electric VTOL methods, 1 mile high in the air, requires 100X as much energy, 200kWH, which would require a 1600kg battery. (1kWH is the energy used in operating a hair-dryer for 1 hour) Additionally, electric vehicles take a long time to charge which limits their usefulness. Refuelling FLUTR just takes a few minutes. If battery technology catches up we will likely transition to electric propulsion. ​ FLUTR is releasing 3 versions. ​ FLUTR DTEH (Diesel Turbine Electric Hybrid) FLUTR HEH (Hydrogen Electric Hybrid) FLUTR FE (Full Electric) ​ Only the FLUTR DTEH will be available first. The other 2 models are under development.



is Hydrogen (H2) safe?

Very. There are many hydrogen powered vehicles on the roads today already, and the technology is well known. Hydrogen, sometimes known as “star fuel”, is readily abundant and is 3 times more energy dense than gasoline. Hydrogen is readily available in some regions at petrol stations including California/USA and Munich/Germany.
Hydrogen burns with a clear flame, and immediately floats away from a spill, unlike conventional liquid fuels.
As Hydrogen is odorless it is recommended that a hydrogen detector be installed inside parking garages in case of leaks.



autonomous, semi-autonomous, remote piloting.. what’s the difference?

Autonomous means the vehicle can take-off, cruise and land with zero user input. This is not viable for at least 10 years. Semi-autonomous means that a combination of user and automatic vehicle control is used. Remote piloting means that a pilot controls some aspect of the vehicle from another location. More details on the system design utilized by FLUTR will be released at a later stage.



I notice that FLUTR uses large rotors, compared to lots of smaller propellers or jets. Why?

Large rotors = slower rotors = lower noise. The larger a rotor is, the slower it needs to move, to move air. 4 large rotors is quieter than 8, 20 or 40 propellers or small jets. Low noise is essential for widespread vehicle adoption.



how is H2 sustainable?

Burning hydrogen produces only water and zero pollutants. It can be produced sustainably with zero pollution, when produced using sustainable electricity ("green hydrogen"). Hydrogen produced from other methods such as converting natural gas with the Fischer Tropp process is not sustainable ("blue hydrogen"), as it produces CO2 (assuming the CO2 is not sequested).



if not electric, what do you use for power?

FLUTR uses fully sustainable and low pollutant bio-diesel.
It will be later certified for use with other bio-fuels (ethanol/bio-gasoline etc). Bio-fuels are widely available in most countries. Additionally FLUTR can use conventional diesel or gasoline if other fuels are not readily available. Later models will use Hydrogen and pure electric battery. A tank of hydrogen can be made at home inexpensively with a domestic electric H2 electrolyzer+compressor. Depending on how frequently you use the vehicle, and factoring in the cost of the hydrogen generator means that the fuel costs are similar to gasoline (per mile). Additionally, more and more hydrogen outlets are appearing commercially every year.



sustainable fuel price and availability?

Sustainable fuels are becoming more avaiable and lower in price every year. A network of sustainable fuel outlets is now becoming available for FLUTR, where you can readily refuel.
Additionally we can deliver a 1000litre fuel cube to your garage if you/ your company elect to own a FLUTR.



Aerial mobility for all - that's our aim.     
                     
And as the world’s roads finally reach full capacity,  we have no choice but to reach to the skies.
​
A better way to get to the office, shops, school, anywhere is required.
​
It has to be fast, efficient, safe, easy to use, quiet, affordable and sustainable. And fun.
​
A new transport system.
​
The skies belong to you, and the solution is coming soon.
​
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Note: All specifications and vehicle descriptions are design targets and may be different from final tested and certified capability.
​

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