Single-seat personal eVTOL, compared
The four aircraft a private buyer can realistically consider in 2026 — and how they differ.
| Aircraft | Price | Flight time | Payload | Seats | US status | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pivotal Helix | from US$190,000 | ~20 min | 220 lb / 100 kg | 1 | FAA Part 103 (US) | 2026 positions advertised |
| Jetson ONE | US$148,000 | ~20 min | 210 lb / 95 kg | 1 | Part 103-style ultralight (US); Italian ultralight framework | New orders quoted for 2028 |
| Rictor X4 | ~US$39,900 (announced) | ~20 min | not published | 1 | Claimed Part 103 | Announced, not independently confirmed |
| YIVTOL S-ZERO | from US$59,000 FOB | 30–50 min | up to 120 kg | 1 | FAA Part 103 (US); EU Certificate of Filing | ~1 month after order |
Competitor figures are as published by each manufacturer or reported in October 2026 and are shown for comparison only; they change frequently — check the manufacturer's own page (linked below) before relying on them. YIVTOL figures are FOB, excluding tax and shipping.
YIVTOL S-ZERO vs Pivotal Helix
Pivotal's Helix is the most mature product in the category and the only one shipping in volume today, with a tilt-aircraft architecture and a well documented ownership process. It lists from US$190,000. The S-ZERO costs roughly one-third as much FOB, offers longer published endurance (up to 50 minutes on the MAX edition against roughly 20 minutes), and carries more payload — while relying on a multirotor rather than a tilting wing, which means less forward efficiency. Pivotal Helix specifications →
YIVTOL S-ZERO vs Jetson ONE
Jetson ONE is the aircraft that made the category visible, with an open-frame design and a strong public flight record; it lists at US$148,000 with new orders currently quoted for 2028 delivery, because 2026 and 2027 production are reported sold out. The S-ZERO is roughly 60% cheaper FOB and quotes about one month to delivery. Jetson ONE specifications →
YIVTOL S-ZERO vs Rictor X4
Rictor X4 has announced a price around US$39,900 — below every other aircraft here — but public evidence of customer deliveries is not yet available. Buyers comparing on price alone should weigh the delivery record, regional compliance support and training arrangements, not only the headline figure. Rictor →
What actually separates these aircraft
- Price — a spread of roughly 3.5× between the cheapest announced and the most established.
- Delivery reality — an order page is not a delivery. Ask for chassis numbers and customer references.
- Endurance — 20 minutes is the category norm; the S-ZERO MAX publishes 50.
- Payload — 95–120 kg depending on model, which decides who can actually fly it.
- Local compliance — Part 103 in the US, a Certificate of Filing in the EU, national registrations elsewhere.