FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When and where will LIFT Aircraft open its first location?
LIFT will open locations across the U.S. starting in 2019. We are allowing people to make advance flight reservations in 25 cities, and will aim to open locations in the order of the highest reservation totals.
How do advance reservations work?
We opened up waitlists for 25 cities in the U.S. on Dec. 11th, 2018. There was no payment required to reserve your place on our waitlist. As the waitlists filled up and in order to plan our U.S. tour that we plan to begin in late 2019, we began to require waitlist reservation holders to confirm their bookings with 100% refundable prepayments. Your prepaid booking deposit holds confirms your spot on the waitlist. We will be updating advance reservation holders on the timeline for LIFT visiting each city - please understand that we cannot set a specific timeline for each city at this time, and it may take quite a long time to visit all 25 cities (up to 24 months or more). Your prepayment is refundable at any time for any reason. A limited number of "Super Early Bird" advance reservations will receive a 40% discount on the price of their flight, and "Early Bird" will receive 20% off - limited time and quantity.
Where will I be able to fly?
Hexa fits into the FAA’s Powered Ultralight category, under which flights are limited to daylight hours, in uncontrolled airspace (Class G, which is generally up to 700 or 1,200 above ground level everywhere except near major airports), and not over congested areas. Airspace boundaries are programmed into Hexa’s flight controller and aircraft will not be able to enter controlled airspace.
How far and fast can Hexa fly?
Hexa can fly for up to 15 minutes on a charge with 25% battery remaining for safety margin. Actual flight times are dependent on pilot weight and weather conditions, and will generally range from 8 to 15 minutes. Ultralights are limited to flying 63 mph (55 knots) airspeed, and flights will be software limited to about 45 mph in Beginner mode. Additional speed and maneuvering capabilities will be unlocked in Sport mode for advance pilots.
How is the aircraft controlled?
There is a single joystick that controls pitch (forward / backward), roll (bank left / right), yaw (rotate left / right) and acceleration (up / down). Flight can also be controlled with the touch screen display, by voice commands like “Hexa, climb to 500 feet”, and remotely by LIFT-trained safety pilots. LIFT will constantly be developing and upgrading its aircraft and not all features will be available at launch.
How much will it cost to fly?
The cost will be approximately $249 per 8-15 minute flight which is comparable in price to similar activities like helicopter tours, skydiving, hang gliding, scuba diving, etc. For a limited time, advance reservation holders will receive a 40% discount on their first flight ($149).
What training is required?
First time flyers will go through an orientation, watch a safety video and complete the training program in our virtual reality simulator - which will take approximately 1-2 hours from check in.
Is it safe?
All recreational, outdoor and sport activities carry some small amount of risk. Our goal is to make flying 10 times safer than other comparable activities like hang gliding, scuba diving, race driving, etc. We will accomplish this by leveraging highly redundant, semi autonomous, electric aircraft and by flying within a highly controlled environment with lots of infrastructure and support. Electric motors are inherently simple with only one moving part so one motor failing will be a very rare occurrence. Hexa can fly and land safely with up to 6 of its 18 motors out. It’s designed to withstand bird strikes and any other possible failures, but in the event of a catastrophic failure and loss of control of the aircraft, a ballistic parachute will deploy automatically. With 5 floats, Hexa can safely land and float on water, and operations will often take place over water.
How is LIFT Aircraft funded?
LIFT Aircraft is a privately funded company based in Austin, Texas.
Can groups of people fly together?
Yes, we will have a Group Mode where groups can fly together, communicate on a group intercom, fly in autonomous formations and even race around augmented reality ring courses. LIFT will be continuously upgrading its aircraft and flying experience and not all experiences will be available at launch.
Can I buy a Hexa?
LIFT Aircraft is not currently offering Hexas for sale to the general public.
Is Hexa certified by the FAA?
In the U.S., Hexa is approved for flight under FAR Part 103. Hexa conforms to the FAA’s Powered Ultralight classification for which FAA certification is not required or available. The base weight limit for Powered Ultralights is 254 lbs, and Hexa utilizes additional weight allowances for floats and safety equipment.
Is LIFT looking for partners to help open LIFT locations at tourist destinations, entertainment hubs and adventure parks?
LIFT is exploring partnership opportunities with select entertainment companies with existing properties and operations that are suitable for LIFT. Please contact us using the link in the website footer labelled "Partners".
