Pyka, the Oakland, California-headquartered manufacturer of the only commercially certified 100 per cent electric autonomous aircraft at work in precision agriculture, has revealed plans for a passenger and cargo electric aircraft based on proprietary technologies honed in autonomous crop spraying, and has added Dan Grossman as company president.

“Electric and hydrogen propulsion technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the future of human mobility,” says Grossman. “Pyka's benchmark-setting electric propulsion systems, safety critical control software, advanced avionics and custom composite airframes result from years of work in agriculture with our Pelican aircraft, and I'm excited to have joined this talented team to bring the results to human passenger aviation.”

Pyka's autonomous electric aircraft are already operational with global agriculture brands in Latin America, providing a new level of safety, sustainability and cost-efficiency to the industry.

Pyka's newest aircraft will be an all electric, zero emissions passenger plane called the P3. The P3 will utilise the next generation of Pyka's autonomous technology platform and have a range of 250 miles at a 180 mph cruise speed. The aircraft should also see a five times reduction in direct operating costs compared with current models. The P3 will commence flights in 2025 for same day and next day cargo transport. Pyka plans to certify the P3 for piloted passenger transport shortly thereafter, leveraging the massive network of over 5,000 under-utilised small airports in the U.S. The P3 will provide airlines with an all-electric vehicle designed to decarbonise regional trips and dramatically expand the reach of their operations.

“In the coming decade, automation and electrification will solve the cost and safety issues that have prevented helicopters and small planes from becoming a meaningful part of our transportation system,” says Pyka CEO Michael Norcia. “Dan Grossman has already fundamentally changed the way people move around our world in his work with Ford, Zipcar and GM. We couldn't be happier to announce that he's joined our team and to share specifications on our planned passenger aircraft.”