Uttarakhand Innovator Flight-Tests Electric Personal Flying Vehicle Prototype

Ravi Tamta, a self-taught innovator from Almora district in Uttarakhand, has successfully flight-tested the prototype of HAPIDA SKYNeX, a single-seat, all-electric personal flying vehicle developed through his startup, Hapida Sky Private Limited. The successful test, which took place in his home village of Kaflikhan near Jageshwar Dham, marks a significant milestone in his years-long effort to create an affordable and sustainable personal air mobility solution.

The prototype, which uses modified drone technology, is designed to function similarly to a multirotor helicopter and is projected to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Unlike conventional aircraft, it runs entirely on electricity, producing zero tailpipe emissions. Tamta, who is the son of a local motor mechanic, personally piloted the vehicle during its maiden hover test. He has stated that the project's goal is to make safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable personal air transportation accessible in India.

Tamta's journey to this achievement began in 2015. Despite having no formal background in science, he leveraged online resources and self-directed research to master complex mechanical principles. To construct...