It is simpler in construction and mechanics than a helicopter and safer as it can land even with up to four of its motors failed

German aircraft company e-volo has sent the world’s first manned flight of an electric multicopter. It is the larger version of the quadracopters’ with the number of propellers (and accompanying motors) increased from four to sixteen. The multicopter runs on lithium batteries and is operated with a joystick, and can sustain trips up to 30 minutes, depending on payload and battery capacity.

The flight took place at an airstrip in southwest Germany and lasted for one and a half minutes. Thomas Senkel, the designer/builder of the multicopter, piloted the aircraft from a centre-mounted seat, using a handheld wireless control unit.

According to the company, the multicopter is simpler in construction and mechanics than a helicopter and safer as it can land even with up to four of its motors failed, and its propellers experience much less wear. Onboard computers running custom firmware control the rotational speed of the propellers, dictating the attitude (horizontal orientation to the ground), altitude and direction of travel of the aircraft.