HayesX-250 Personal Flying Vehicle Debuts at SEMA: 245 Pounds, 62 MPH, $146,600, No Runway Needed

HayesX, a Las Vegas-based personal aviation company, announced that the HayesX-250 will make its public debut at the 2026 SEMA Show, running November 3 to 6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The single-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is showcased in Central Hall, Booth 24655, with a product unveiling and press conference on Wednesday, November 4, from 10:30 to 10:50 a.m.

The numbers define the pitch. The HayesX-250 weighs 245 pounds including batteries, has a published top speed of 62 mph, and uses eight electric motors with dual power and control buses, dual inertial measurement units and an integrated whole-aircraft ballistic parachute system. Its four folding arms reduce the aircraft to approximately 4.25 feet by 9.1 feet for transport in a suitably sized pickup or trailer, and vertical-flight capability eliminates the need for a runway. A HayesX Pilot Support App provides a flight guide, digital logbook and pre-flight checklist.

The regulatory angle is what makes SEMA, an automotive aftermarket show, a plausible launch venue. The HayesX-250 is designed to comply with FAA Part 103, and in the United States an FAA pilot certificate is not required to operate a vehicle that qualifies under Part 103. That qualification matters enormously, and it is also the limit: Part 103 covers recreational and sporting use, so commercial or patrol work would need a different approval path, as the Florida police Jetson One story elsewhere in today's CARC news shows.

Reservations are now open at a listed price of $146,600, with a $6,600 deposit that is refundable within six days. HayesX says it is accepting a limited number of orders for 2026 delivery, subject to availability and final configuration. Founded by Ciaran Hayes and Tim Hayes, the company cites a family aviation legacy connected to the SR-71 Blackbird. For buyers, the honest checklist is: confirm Part 103 qualification in writing, understand where you may legally fly an ultralight, and treat the six-day refund window as the decision deadline.