Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Helix is classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Part 103 Ultralight aircraft, which means that Helix pilots are not required to have FAA pilot certification.

Even though the Helix doesn’t require FAA pilot certification, Pivotal requires every customer to meet several criteria to become a qualified Helix pilot and to know where they can fly their aircraft. Some of our requirements are specific to the Helix aircraft design, and others are related to the FAA Ultralight regulations.

You can determine your flight eligibility based on five key requirements — age, weight, height, flight location, and altitude — using this list of eligibility criteria.

To ensure safe operation of the Helix, Pivotal also requires each pilot to successfully complete our comprehensive flight training at our headquarters in Palo Alto, California. The course takes approximately two weeks to complete; the duration may vary based on past experience and rate of learning.

Pivotal has five eligibility requirements: age, weight, height, flight location, and altitude. Two of these requirements come from the FAA, which requires all ultralight pilots to be at least 18 years of age and to fly ultralight aircraft in uncongested areas. The weight, height, and altitude requirements are based on the dimensions of the aircraft and the amount of propulsion available to maintain safety.

If you have any technical or eligibility questions, please contact us.

Before purchasing their Pivotal aircraft, our current early access customers were a mix of FAA-certified pilots and non-pilots. What they have in common is an inherent love of flight and a sense of adventure. They all want to soar above incredible landscapes, do short-hop travel, and reach hard-to-access areas.

The most important starting point for each is great motivation and passion for flight, rather than specific piloting experience. After all, we designed the Helix with the non-pilot in mind, making safety, aircraft design, and usability our top priorities.

The comprehensive Helix training covers four main knowledge and skill areas: ground school, aircraft handling, simulator training, and flight training. For a fee, Helix owners can even give friends and family access to training, so they can become qualified Helix pilots too. Here is more information about training.

Beyond the inherent tilt aircraft feature, the Helix offers many integrated features and accessories that contribute to safety, ease of operation, and enjoyment. These include a built-in flight panel, mobile app, ballistic parachute, canopy, backup camera, air traffic system, premium flight deck, beacon lights, and chargers.

The feature combinations and options depend on which of three Helix packages you choose. To learn more, go to the Helix page.

Yes. Both the Pivotal BlackFly and Helix aircraft comply with the 14 CFR Part 103 regulation, as noted below. See the Technical Standards Committee's Vehicle Review and Documentation of Findings of Ultralight Vehicle.

1. Is used or intended to be used for manned operation in the air by a single occupant
   • Single seat
2. Is used or intended to be used for recreation or sport purposes only
   • Recreation or sport purposes only
3. Does not have any U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate
   • No U.S. or foreign airworthiness certificate
4. If unpowered, weighs less than 155 pounds
   • Not Applicable
5. If powered
   1. Weighs less than 254 pounds empty weight, excluding floats and safety devices, which are intended for deployment in a potentially catastrophic situation
      • Empty weight is 254 lbs + 24 lbs for parachute system + 30 lbs for floating fuselage + 10 lbs for each of the four outrigger floats [Reference AC103-7]
   2. Has a fuel capacity not exceeding 5 U.S. gallons
      • Not Applicable
   3. Is not capable of more than 55 knots calibrated airspeed at full power in level flight
      • Maximum full-power level flight speed is 55 knots (62 mph) limited by software
   4. Has a power-off stall speed which does not exceed 24 knots calibrated airspeed
      • Not Applicable

As ultralight aircraft, BlackFly and Helix are not required to comply with Part 91.151 minimum fuel requirements. That said, Pivotal trains pilots to always operate with a 20% reserve battery capacity.

A 16' road trailer can hold everything needed to take the Helix to uncongested areas for flights. Helix packages 2 and 3 come outfitted with a trailer, dual wing cart, and a vehicle cart.

The vehicle cart that comes with all three Helix packages allows an adult to easily move the aircraft over flat or paved surfaces.

The Helix can take off and land safely on water. Helix pilots are trained to use this amphibious capability for emergencies.

No, the wings are fixed to the fuselage to minimize cost, weight, and complexity. Instead, the entire aircraft tilts to enter hover mode — one of Helix’s most distinctive design features.

Each of the three Helix packages comes with a different exterior color scheme. Package 3 offers the choice of accent color (teal, copper, or silver) and also allows you to get really creative and customize the design of the entire aircraft exterior. Imagine what people are saying when they see you fly overhead. See the Order form for photos.