Neoptera eOpter

The Neoptera eOpter is being developed in a joint venture in Bristol, UK, and Toulouse, France. The eOpter is an electric VTOL that uses eight propellers for thrust generation with a unique rotating structure to transition from vertical takeoff/landing to cruise flight. The firm is developing two models, the TRL 5 (2-seat) and TRL 7 (4-seat), and is designed to EASA Certification Requirements and NASA TVF WG4 Mission Requirements.

Technical Details

Aircraft Type: Winged VTOL

Powerplant: All-Electric

Range: 50 miles

Top Speed:

Propeller Configuration: 8 independent electric motors and propellers

Passenger/Payload Capacity: TRL 5 (2-seat), TRL 7 (4-seat)

Autonomy Level: Piloted

Wingspan/Dimensions: 4 feet*

*Neoptera has not built a full-scale version of its eOptera prototype.

Neoptera has several functional sub-scale eVTOL models to its credit, however none of them are larger than 4 feet in wingspan. The smaller TRL 5 is scheduled to begin testing in 2021 and its larger model, the TRL 7, will begin test flights in 2023.