Pivotal

Pivotal is an electric aircraft company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, that designs and builds personal eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. It is the maker of the BlackFly, the single-seat “flying car” that drew crowds at E-Volution Expo 2026 in Ocean City, Maryland.

The company was founded by Canadian engineer Marcus Leng and was originally known as Opener. The first BlackFly proof-of-concept flew in Ontario, Canada in October 2011, and the company moved to Palo Alto in 2014. In October 2023 it rebranded as Pivotal and unveiled Helix, its first production aircraft, which complies with FAA Part 103 ultralight rules and does not require a pilot certificate. Pivotal says it delivered 13 BlackFly aircraft to early owners and the U.S. Air Force by October 2024, and reports more than 10,000 flights and more than 50 certified pilots. Its CEO is Ken Karklin, and it builds aircraft for personal, public safety and defense use.

At E-Volution Expo 2026, pilot and owner Heather Chirtea showed her BlackFly on the convention floor and walked visitors through its two redundant joysticks.

On Citywide.TV: TEDx Butterfish Cove & E-Volution Expo 2026 recap · E-Volution Expo 2026 in Ocean City, Maryland

Address: Palo Alto, California
Email: press@pivotal.aero (press)
Website: pivotal.aero
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