# Volar eVTOL (DD-734) > Bellwether Industries, founded in London in 2019, is developing the Volar, a wingless lifting-body eVTOL with ducted fans hidden inside its body. In November 2021, a half-scale, remotely piloted two-seat prototype called Antelope made eight free flights in Dubai, up to about 4 m high and about 40 km/h. The company's targets for the final aircraft are 4 to 5 seats, a width of 3.2 m, about 220 km/h and a 600 kg maximum takeoff weight. In 2023 it announced a propulsion partnership with Schubeler for its next prototype, Oryx. None of these targets has been demonstrated at full scale. - Department: Tech - First published: 2026-09-01 - Last updated: 2026-09-01 - Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/volar-evtol/ - Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department ## On the timeline - **2019**: Bellwether Industries is founded in London - **November 2021**: Half-scale Antelope prototype makes eight free flights in Dubai - **2023**: Bellwether announces a propulsion partnership with Schubeler for its Oryx prototype Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=volar-evtol ## Quick facts - **DD-734-F01**: The Volar has flown only as a half-scale, remotely piloted prototype. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (First free flights))_ - **DD-734-F02**: Its electric propulsion is ducted fans hidden in the body. _(Write-up · Exhibit C (Hidden fans))_ ## Write-up A wingless, supercar-styled eVTOL from London. So far it has flown only as a half-scale, remotely piloted prototype. 1. **The company**: Bellwether Industries was founded in London in 2019. It pitches the Volar as a private aircraft for trips within cities. 2. **First free flights**: In November 2021, a remotely piloted half-scale prototype made eight untethered flights in Dubai, reaching about 4 m (13 ft) at about 40 km/h. These followed a year of indoor tethered tests. 3. **Hidden fans**: The propulsion is ducted fans concealed inside the bodywork. New Atlas observed what appeared to be four fixed units and no separate cruise propulsion. 4. **Targets, not results**: For the full-size aircraft, the company targets 4 to 5 seats, a width of 3.2 m, cruising at up to 915 m (3,000 ft) and 220 km/h, and a 600 kg maximum takeoff weight. New Atlas questioned whether batteries could support those goals. 5. **Next steps**: In 2023, Bellwether announced a partnership with Schubeler on electric ducted-fan propulsion for its next-generation prototype, Oryx. ## Related case files - [Airborne Wind Turbines (DD-050)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/airborne-wind-turbines/): Another unconventional flying machine - [Self-Made Modular (DD-061)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/self-made-modular/): Another future-tech case - [Flying Bike (DD-584)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/flying-bike/): I paired it with a modern take on the personal flying machine - [ATL Air Traffic (DD-678)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/atl-air-traffic/): Another aviation case ## Reel vs. record - **Status**: the Volar has flown only as a half-scale, remotely piloted prototype (eight flights in Dubai in November 2021, at about 4 m and 40 km/h). No full-scale aircraft has flown. - **Missing context**: performance figures (220 km/h, 4 to 5 seats, 600 kg takeoff weight) are company targets, and New Atlas questioned their feasibility with current batteries. - **Precision**: the 'hidden electric propulsion' is ducted fans. The prototype appeared to have four fixed units and no separate cruise propulsion. - **Missing context**: the final aircraft would be about 3.2 m wide, roughly 1.5 m wider than an average car, which works against the 'compact' claim. - **Missing context**: Bellwether was founded in London in 2019 and announced a propulsion partnership with Schubeler in 2023 for its next prototype, Oryx. ## Video: Volar eVTOL: A Wingless, Supercar-Styled eVTOL From London - Duration: 21.9 s · Published: 2026-09-01 - File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/Dcw9C69xn30.mp4 ### Transcript DID YOU KNOW? Bellwether Industries Volar is a British-designed electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that looks more like a futuristic supercar. Its defining feature is a wingless lifting-body design with hidden electric propulsion, allowing the aircraft to maintain a compact profile intended for urban environments rather than relying on exposed rotors or conventional wings. NOW YOU KNOW! ## Questions & answers **Q: Where did the Volar prototype first fly freely?** A: In Dubai in November 2021. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (First free flights) · Vertical Mag: UK's Bellwether completes first eVTOL test flight in Dubai; eVTOL Insights: Bellwether Industries reveals first flight test footage of its half-scale Volar prototype)_ **Q: How big was the flying prototype?** A: It was a half-scale, remotely piloted model. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (First free flights) · Vertical Mag: UK's Bellwether completes first eVTOL test flight in Dubai; eVTOL Insights: Bellwether Industries reveals first flight test footage of its half-scale Volar prototype)_ **Q: What kind of propulsion does it hide?** A: Ducted fans concealed in the body. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Hidden fans) · New Atlas: Bellwether's Volar eVTOL begins flight testing at half-scale)_ **Q: How fast did the prototype fly?** A: About 40 km/h; 220 km/h is a target. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Targets, not results) · Vertical Mag: UK's Bellwether completes first eVTOL test flight in Dubai; New Atlas: Bellwether's Volar eVTOL begins flight testing at half-scale)_ **Q: When was Bellwether founded?** A: In London in 2019. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (The company) · Schubeler: Schubeler and Bellwether Industries to build and test electric propulsion systems for Volars (2023); eVTOL Insights: Bellwether Industries reveals first flight test footage of its half-scale Volar prototype)_ ## Sources - [Vertical Mag: UK's Bellwether completes first eVTOL test flight in Dubai](https://verticalmag.com/news/bellwether-first-evtol-test-flight/) - [eVTOL Insights: Bellwether Industries reveals first flight test footage of its half-scale Volar prototype](https://evtolinsights.com/video-bellwether-industries-reveals-first-flight-test-footage-of-its-half-scale-volar-prototype/) - [New Atlas: Bellwether's Volar eVTOL begins flight testing at half-scale](https://newatlas.com/aircraft/bellwether-volar-evtol) - [Schubeler: Schubeler and Bellwether Industries to build and test electric propulsion systems for Volars (2023)](https://www.schubeler.com/schubeler-and-bellwether-industries-to-build-and-test-electric-propulsion-systems-for-volars/) ## Cite this case file Easterling, Marcus. "Volar eVTOL." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-734, last updated Sep 1, 2026. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/volar-evtol/