Rictor launches X4 ultralight eVTOL under Part 103

The aircraft is positioned as a low-cost entry point to manned eVTOL operation through folding design, simplified controls and regulatory exemption.

Rictor has unveiled the X4 ultralight eVTOL at a leading electronics exhibition, presenting the aircraft as a personal flight platform designed to operate legally in the US without pilot licensing or airworthiness certification.

Launching at a price of $39,900, the single-seat X4 has been engineered to meet FAA Part 103 ultralight requirements, placing it among a small number of manned aircraft globally that can be flown without formal certification. The configuration uses a four-axis, eight-propeller layout with 63-inch carbon-fibre folding propellers, delivering a 100kg payload capacity while maintaining noise levels below 65 decibels.

The X4 incorporates a proprietary Dynamic Balance Algorithm that adjusts motor output in real time to maintain stable hover, including in side winds up to Level 6. Power is supplied by a semi-solid-state battery system with dual-battery redundancy, enabling a controlled landing in the event of a single module failure.

Operational modes include both pre-planned route flying and manual control, with very low-altitude capability down to three metres above ground. The aircraft folds into a 1.2 cubic metre package for transport in a standard pickup truck bed and supports in-vehicle charging while driving or parked.

“Our goal is not to compete with giants in the complex manned aviation track, but to pioneer a completely new, accessible market for ‘light aerial mobility’,” says the CEO of Kuickwheel Technology, Rictor’s parent company. “The X4 rivals the private aircraft of high-end enthusiasts, but we’ve made it radically more affordable and simplified its usage.”

First deliveries are scheduled for Q2 2026, with a $5,000 deposit required at launch.