Skyryse Secures $300 Million to Revolutionize Aviation with Simplified Flight Controls
Skyryse, an aviation automation startup based in El Segundo, California, has successfully raised over $300 million in a Series C funding round, elevating its valuation to $1.15 billion and achieving unicorn status. This substantial investment, led by Autopilot Ventures with participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company, ArrowMark Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority, among others, brings the company’s total equity capital raised to more than $605 million.
Founded in 2016, Skyryse is dedicated to enhancing aviation safety and accessibility through its innovative flight control system, SkyOS. This universal operating system replaces traditional mechanical controls with an integrated, intelligent interface designed to simplify aircraft operation. By automating complex flight maneuvers, SkyOS aims to reduce pilot workload and improve safety across various aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes.
The newly acquired capital will accelerate Skyryse’s efforts to complete the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process for SkyOS. In 2025, the FAA granted final design approval for Skyryse’s flight control computers, marking a significant milestone toward full certification. The company is currently engaged in FAA for-credit flight testing, with formal flight verification as the remaining step before certification.
Skyryse has demonstrated the versatility of SkyOS by integrating it into multiple aircraft platforms. Notably, the company achieved a historic first flight of a Black Hawk helicopter equipped with SkyOS, performing automated takeoff, hover, and landing maneuvers. This accomplishment underscores the system’s adaptability and potential to enhance safety and efficiency in both military and civilian aviation sectors.
The company’s partnerships span various aviation sectors, including collaborations with the U.S. military, emergency medical service operators, law enforcement agencies, and private operators. These alliances aim to integrate SkyOS into a diverse range of aircraft, such as the Airbus H125, Bell 407, and Pilatus PC-12. By focusing on helicopters—known for their operational complexity—Skyryse addresses one of aviation’s most challenging segments, with the goal of making flight operations safer and more accessible.
Skyryse’s approach involves replacing traditional flight controls with a simplified interface that allows pilots to perform complex maneuvers with minimal input, such as executing takeoffs and landings with a simple swipe on a touchscreen. This innovation not only reduces the cognitive load on pilots but also enhances safety by automating critical aspects of flight.
The company’s progress has garnered recognition, including being named a finalist for the National Aeronautic Association’s Collier Trophy, one of the most prestigious awards in aerospace. This acknowledgment reflects Skyryse’s commitment to advancing aviation technology and safety.
As Skyryse continues to develop and certify SkyOS, the company remains focused on its mission to make aviation safer and more accessible. The recent funding round provides the necessary resources to scale the deployment of SkyOS across various aircraft platforms, bringing the vision of simplified and safer flight closer to reality.
