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This exclusive interview series from Automobility LA at the LA Auto Show is brought to you by Cars Commerce.
Most people still think flying cars are science fiction.
Pivotal is already delivering them — and you don’t even need a pilot’s license to fly one.
In one of the most future-forward conversations of the LA Auto Show series, we sit down with Cal Cruickshank of Pivotal — the company bringing personal EVTOL aircraft out of the prototype phase and into real customers’ backyards. With nearly a decade of test flights and a fully developed training program, Pivotal’s Helix isn’t a concept. It’s a recreational aircraft designed to be flown by everyday people, taking off vertically from private property and cruising up to 63 mph with surprising simplicity and safety. From the ballistic parachute to multi-system redundancy, Cal breaks down how they’ve engineered an aircraft that feels far more intuitive than traditional aviation.
But the impact goes beyond thrill-seeking hobbyists. Pivotal is already exploring applications in public safety, remote response, and defense — from getting paramedics into hard-to-reach areas to enabling remote flight and supply movement. With preorders open now and first deliveries scheduled for 2026, the Helix represents a genuine step toward a future where personal air mobility is accessible, standardized, and surprisingly practical. This episode is a rare peek behind the curtain of a company that may redefine short-range travel long before the “flying taxi” headlines catch up.
Timestamped Takeaways
0:00 Intro
0:30 The Aircraft You Can Fly With No License
1:01 Learning to Fly in Just Four Days
1:45 The Parachute You Hope to Never Use
2:13 When Flying Becomes a Recreational Hobby
2:40 Early Owners Are Already in the Sky
3:23 Why EVTOLs Make Flying More Accessible Than Ever
4:12 How High, How Fast, How Far This Thing Really Goes
5:00 The Battery Reality No One Tells You About
5:28 The Public Safety Use Cases That Could Save Lives
6:33 The True Cost of Owning Your Own Aircraft
7:12 How a 100-Person Team Is Building the Future of Flight
8:08 EVTOL Safety vs Helicopters: What Actually Matters
9:15 How to Reserve a Helix Before 2026
Connect with Cal Cruickshank: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callanj/
Learn more about Pivotal: https://www.pivotal.aero/
Our coverage of Automobility LA is brought to you by our friends at Cars Commerce: https://www.carscommerce.inc/
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