Key Takeaways

  • First national test: The first flight with a human passenger aboard a drone in Russia was recorded on July 6, 2026.
  • Technology used: Electric quadcopter "X SKY ONE V2", with an endurance of 20 minutes at 50 km/h, operated by "Aurora-BAS".
  • 2027 outlook: The company is aiming for a fully autonomous flight with a passenger by next year.

The Test Flight in Sakhalin

The "Pushistyy" droneport, located in the Korsakov district on Sakhalin Island, hosted Russia's first official test of a drone carrying a human passenger. The operation was carried out by "Aurora-BAS", the drone division of the "Avrora" airline, as part of the "Krylya Sakhalina" forum. The regional air traffic control center recorded the flight in accordance with standard procedures.



Russia Conducts First Human Passenger Drone Test Flight - Foto 1

The Aircraft and the Pilot

The vehicle used was the electric quadcopter "X SKY ONE V2", capable of operating for up to 20 minutes at a maximum speed of 50 km/h. At the controls was Aleksey Spinka from Vladivostok, an active figure in the personal aviation sector. The aircraft features a dual mode: piloted and fully autonomous. Russian regulations currently prohibit passenger transport in unmanned mode, which is why the test was conducted in manual configuration.



Russia Conducts First Human Passenger Drone Test Flight - Foto 2

Future Developments

Governor Valery Limarenko called the experiment a technological milestone for the region. "Aurora-BAS" is developing its own ultra-light aircraft, with the stated goal of completing a fully automatic flight with a passenger on board by 2027.