How to Buy a Personal eVTOL in 2027: Prices, Rules and Every Step

Most eVTOL headlines are about air taxis that you cannot ride yet. Personal eVTOLs are different: single-seat aircraft that you can buy or order today, from American makers and from makers in China and elsewhere. This guide compares the ones you can actually buy, what they cost, which rules to check first, and how to buy one.

Disclosure: eVTOL.Travel sells YIVTOL aircraft and earns a commission on those sales. We have no sales agreement with the other makers listed here, and we list them so you can compare. See our editorial policy.

Personal eVTOLs you can buy or order now

Prices are list prices before taxes, freight and duties, and makers change them often. Always confirm the current price and delivery date in writing.

American makers

Pivotal Helix. Pivotal, based in Palo Alto, sells the Helix from USD 190,000, plus about USD 21,000 for a trailer and USD 1,100 for a charger, with a USD 50,000 deposit. Pivotal says delivery takes about 9 to 12 months and that the Helix is built to fit the FAA's Part 103 ultralight rules, so no pilot certificate is needed in the US. Training takes under two weeks in California. (Fox News)

Jetson ONE. Jetson's single-seater now costs USD 148,000 before taxes, up from USD 98,000 in 2023, with a USD 8,000 non-refundable deposit. Production for 2026 and 2027 is reported as sold out, so new orders are expected to deliver from about 2028. Jetson also points US buyers to Part 103. (CarCody)

Alef Model A. Alef takes pre-orders for its road-and-air vehicle at about USD 300,000. It is not delivered to customers yet, so treat it as a reservation, not a purchase.

Makers outside the US

YIVTOL S-ZERO. The lowest price on this list and the shortest lead time. YIVTOL's 2027 price list, available through eVTOL.Travel:

Freight, import duties and accessories (such as extra battery packs) are quoted separately. See specs and accessories on our Buy an eVTOL page.

Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier. The flying part of a six-wheeled vehicle from Aridge (XPeng's aircraft company), priced at about USD 280,000 in China, with deliveries planned later.

Not on sale yet

ASKA A5 (about USD 789,000) takes pre-orders but cannot be sold until it is FAA certified. Doroni H1-X targets deliveries around 2028. Compare all models on our eVTOL aircraft page.

How to choose

• Budget and speed: YIVTOL if you want to fly soonest and spend least.
• US-made: Pivotal Helix if you want a US maker and delivery within a year; Jetson ONE if you can wait for 2028.
• Road plus air: Alef or Aridge, if you accept a longer wait.

Not sure which fits? Contact us. We can help you compare models, check the rules for your country and request quotes.

Step 1: Check the rules where you will fly

This is the most important step, and it is your responsibility as the owner. Rules differ by country.

United States. Single-seat recreational aircraft can fall under the FAA's ultralight rules (14 CFR Part 103) if they meet all of its limits, including:

• one occupant, for recreation or sport only
• less than 254 lb (115 kg) empty weight
• no more than 55 knots at full power in level flight
• a power-off stall speed of no more than 24 knots

Ultralights that meet Part 103 need no pilot certificate or registration, but they cannot fly over congested areas, at night, or in controlled airspace without permission. Whether a specific model qualifies depends on its exact weight and speed, so ask us for the figures for the model you want before you buy.

Other countries. Most countries have their own ultralight or light-sport rules, and some require registration, a permit to fly, or pilot training. Check with your national aviation authority. We can share the manufacturer's documents to help.

Step 2: Request a quote

For YIVTOL, send us your country, the model you want, quantity and any accessories through the quote form. We reply with a written quote that covers the aircraft, freight and the next steps. For other makers, order directly from the maker, or contact us and we will help you prepare the questions to ask.

Step 3: Contract and payment

Once you accept a quote, you receive a proforma invoice and a purchase contract. Read both carefully, check whether the deposit is refundable, and only pay to the bank account named in the official contract.

Step 4: Production and delivery

YIVTOL lead time is typically one to two months from order, plus shipping. Other makers range from about 9 months to 2028 or later. Ask for the delivery date in the contract.

Step 5: Learn to fly it safely

Even where no licence is required, take proper training before your first flight, fly in open areas away from people, and follow the manufacturer's operating manual.

Not ready to buy? Try one first

If you want to experience eVTOL flight before buying, we arrange experiences with the operators who fly them, starting in Shenzhen, China. See eVTOL experiences.

We are not the operator or the manufacturer. We are the team that gets you there.

Ready to compare or buy? Contact us or request a YIVTOL quote.

Sources: 14 CFR Part 103, eCFR · Fox News on Pivotal Helix · CarCody on Jetson ONE pricing · YIVTOL on eVTOL.Travel