Skyryse reveals first single-stick fly-by-wire helicopter

California-based Skyryse has unveiled its Skyryse One, ‘the world’s first production helicopter operated with a single control stick and two touch screens’. Powered by the company’s proprietary SkyOS operating system, the aircraft-agnostic operating platform features simplified controls and triple-redundant fly-by-wire technology; making Skyryse the ‘most integrated, elevated, and simplified aircraft in the world’. “The Skyryse One might look familiar on the outside, but the similarities to any other aircraft end there. Since the invention of vertical flight, pilots have juggled four controls simultaneously, using both hands and feet just to keep it airborne,” said Dr Mark Groden, founder and CEO of Skyrise. “Until today”. The SkyOS system includes dynamic envelope protection, fully automated autorotation, auto-pickup and set-down, hover assist and inherent stability. A single control stick is accompanied by two touch screens. The company is now taking refundable deposits for its first edition aircraft, which will retail at an introductory price of $1.8 million (excluding additional livery or interior customisation options).