A piloted freight delivery operation is scheduled this year following the completion of MightyFly's MF-100 autonomous cargo aircraft test flights. Recently, the FAA issued a special airworthiness certificate to the company that allowed remote monitoring of flights over the San Francisco Bay Area.

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In winds of as much as 15 knots, the MF-100 hovered and took off vertically at Half Moon Airport. The MightyFly engineering team has been testing the hybrid-electric propulsion system and sensors of the MF-100 to ensure they perform redundantly, as well as conducting stress tests on the payload.

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In an interview with Rich Report, CEO and founder Manal Habib revealed that testing will follow within a few months to demonstrate the transition to horizontal cruise flight. There is already talk of making a larger model that could carry 500 pounds and fly 600 miles at 150 mph, so the MF-100 should be able to carry 100 pounds.

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By operating fleets of MF-100 planes in various locations, MightyFly plans to provide door-to-door cargo delivery services. Dedicated aircraft might be based at warehouses or other facilities, and customers may be charged based on weight, volume, and distance.

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MF-100 cargo will be automatically loaded and unloaded via a conveyor belt at 'transfer stations' using the vehicle's nose and a 20 by 20-foot land area. In this case, electric ground vehicles could handle last-mile deliveries.

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Currently, Habib is in talks with several prospective launch customers to provide logistic support for a pilot project, which will launch in 2023, while continuing to conduct flight testing. As well as the United States, Singapore, Australia, and Japan are possible locations for early use cases.

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The company's autonomous logistics solution has been validated by over 20 Fortune 500 companies, says Habib. Deliveries and supply chain costs are set to decrease significantly as a result of the company's automated loading process and point-to-point connections.

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According to retired FedEx executive and MightyFly board member John Formisano, loading and unloading cargo is traditionally a labor-intensive process. 

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An internal combustion engine and electric motors are now part of the MF-100's propulsion system. To minimize the use of ground infrastructure for charging batteries, the engine recharges them while in flight.

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The FAA requires pilots monitoring flights remotely to be fully qualified and trained to operate drones, according to current regulations. The MF-100 is basically an IFR aircraft, and its instruments are very similar to those of an ordinary aircraft, as Habib explained.

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With the $5.1 million seed funding MightFly received in 2021, its team has grown fourfold. In anticipation of a potential funding round next year, it is in talks with some prospective investors.

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MF-100 prototypes and the company's proposed operating model are shown in a video posted by the company.