HopFlyt

HopFlyt secures a $500,000 investment from TEDCO Venture Funds to advance its autonomous, hybrid-electric aircraft. The Salisbury, Maryland-based startup designs long-range vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) planes, merging fixed-wing efficiency with vertical flight flexibility. These aircraft target operations in demanding environments, such as remote or complex terrains.

Oct 2026Salisbury-Wicomico Economic DevelopmentNews article

HopFlyt adapts a 1920s channel-wing concept for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones. The Cyclone drone directs airflow to wings for lift at low speeds, diverging from conventional high-ground-speed requirements. This design aims to improve energy efficiency in aerospace applications.

Jun 2026thomasnet.comNews article

HopFlyt’s Cyclone drone achieves vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) using a century-old aviation principle. The design employs pivoting semicircular channels to reduce power consumption by one-third compared to traditional VTOL systems. This innovation marks a significant advancement in drone efficiency and could reshape urban air mobility.

Apr 2026Gadget ReviewNews article

Aerospace engineer Willard Ray Custer revives a 1928 patented **channel wing** design for a hybrid eVTOL, embedding propellers in semicircular wing cutouts to improve low-speed lift. The aircraft achieves an **800-mile range** while consuming **30% less power** than conventional eVTOLs. Custer’s concept, demonstrated decades ago, now targets modern electric aviation efficiency challenges.

Apr 2026Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design NewsNews article