Uttarakhand innovator Ravi Tamta builds electric flying vehicle HAPIDA SKYNeX in Almora

Ravi Tamta, a self-taught innovator from Kaflikhan village near Jageshwar Dham in Uttarakhand's Almora district, has completed a successful maiden test flight of his indigenous electric flying vehicle prototype, named HAPIDA SKYNeX.

The single-seat craft lifted off from an Army helipad in Almora and hovered in the air for nearly one minute before landing safely. The demonstration was witnessed by local residents and administrative officials, including Almora District Magistrate Anshul Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Chandrashekhar R. Ghodke. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami praised the achievement, calling it an inspiration for the state's youth and a testament to local ingenuity.

Test flight and vehicle specifications

Tamta engineered the prototype through his enterprise, Hapida Sky Private Limited, spending 13 years researching, designing and building the craft. Without a formal engineering degree, he relied on self-directed learning online and persistent practical experimentation.

Designed as a vertical take-off and landing craft, HAPIDA SKYNeX operates similarly to a multirotor drone. Multiple electric motors and propellers mounted on extending arms generate vertical thrust, lifting the craft without needing a traditional runway. A lightweight frame with a transparent canopy encloses the single-seat cockpit. Because the propulsion system is entirely electric, the craft produces zero direct exhaust emissions during operation.

Tackling mountain terrain and future potential

Living in the hill state of Uttarakhand, Tamta witnessed firsthand how winding roads and steep terrain turn short geographical distances into lengthy, difficult journeys. In remote regions, reaching a district hospital during a medical emergency can take hours by road.

Tamta developed the prototype to explore whether aerial transit could bypass road bottlenecks in hilly areas. In theory, a 40-kilometre mountain road journey taking 90 minutes could be reduced to 10 to 15 minutes by air. While commercial operation and emergency service applications remain long-term goals requiring further technical refinement and aviation approvals, the initial trial marks a significant developmental milestone.

Grassroots innovation in Uttarakhand

HAPIDA SKYNeX is not Tamta's first invention. Over the years, his problem-solving approach has produced several practical devices designed to meet everyday needs. His previous creations include shoes that charge mobile phones while walking, a smart assistive stick for visually impaired individuals, a bamboo-splitting machine, and specialised fire-fighting equipment.

Tamta confirmed that the HAPIDA SKYNeX prototype will undergo phased flight trials to evaluate structural stability, battery capacity, control systems, and safety protocols under mountain weather conditions.