First Flight: Behind-the-Scenes

It’s been almost three months since our first flight, and while the team is busy analyzing data and preparing for the next stage of flight testing, we wanted to share an update as well as a never before seen look at Vahana’s first flight.

Vahana Flight Test Team at Work

In the time since our last update, the team has made great progress upgrading the vehicle’s propulsion system, including successfully testing and integrating a new set of electric motors. With the majority of AlphaOne’s ground tests complete, we are getting ready to again take to the skies of Pendleton, OR. In parallel, integration of our second full-scale aircraft, AlphaTwo, is nearing completion in Santa Clara.

Flight testing may sound mysterious to some, so we also wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at what really goes on. In the video below, you can see the Vahana team performing pre- and post-flight checks as well as monitoring the vehicle’s first flight from the mobile command center. The video provides context to the intense processes — and excitement — behind flight testing. Make sure your volume is up!

It’s an honor to work with such a talented and energized team who hold themselves to the highest standard of professionalism, while maintaining joy in what they do. The team’s passion and excitement certainly has a direct correlation to the distance this project has come in such a short amount of time.

Look out for more updates from us in the coming weeks, and keep following our progress here on the blog and on Twitter.

- Zach Lovering