Results for: skai

Japan’s Flying Car Plan

02 July 2018 || 2 min read

Japan is involved in the flying car industry, and is increasing government and local support of future flying car manufacturers and companies by laying legislative groundwork for the implementation of these aircraft in the future. After the Japanese government announced that they were launching a flying car study in March of 2018, little was heard on the subject of flying...

Airbus’ eVTOL Air Traffic Management Plan

29 June 2018 || 3 min read

CleanTechnica recently broke down Airbus’ approach to how future air traffic airspace management systems (UTM) will function, and what mechanics will drive their safety. Airbus’ initiative is called Altiscope. According to Airbus, here’s what a vertical sliver of airspace will look like in 2030: From 200 to 400 ft in the US, the airspace will mostly be for imaging and...

Airbus’ eVTOL Air Traffic Management Plan

29 June 2018 || 3 min read

From 200 to 400 ft in the US, the airspace will mostly be for imaging and analytics — think personal drones.
Higher up, 0 to 1000 ft, is the airspace mostly used by delivery platforms, such as the Airbus Aerial and other air taxi services.
From 200 to 1200 ft is that of light electric aircraft making speedy deliveries.
1000 to 3000 ft is for the Uber Elevate, Airbus Voom, and other faster, further electric air mobility services.
Within the 500 to 5000 ft arena are Bell helicopters, Sikorski, and Airbus General Aviation (GA) aircraft. This airspace is really for private, non-commercial flight, whether high-performance business jets, medical transports, gliders, or flight trainers.

“Where things get complicated are in the airspace that requires a few hundred feet to 60,000 and above. Those categories encroach on each other and will require constant reviewing.”

Airbus currently uses NASA’s Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) for airspace coordination.

The European counterpart of NASA’s UTM system is the SESAR Joint Undertaking; endorsed by the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc. SESAR opens the continental market for drone services and aircraft.

Why it’s important: This airspace management system is not completely revolutionary, nor will it have any effects on a user of eVTOL transportation systems – the beauty of the solution is its apparent non-existence. Once implemented fully, UTM systems will allow for users to have an uneventful, traffic incursion free flight every time – and they’ll hardly know that there’s a system working extremely hard to ensure that every flight is as uneventful as the next. The framework for these systems is being laid by many different companies around the world, and while it might not be as spark-generating as new aircraft concepts, it is as much, if not more, of a necessity for successful eVTOL operations.

Airbus’ blog on UTM is available here.

Source

CleanTechnica

Moller M200 Skycar

27 June 2018 || < 1 min read

Quick SummaryThe Moller M200 Skycar is the smaller version of the M400 Skycar currently under development by Moller International. The M200 uses two horizontal ducted fans for level flight, and two inline vertical fans that supply lift for nearly vertical takeoffs and landings. It featured an ethanol-powered propulsion system and was equipped with folding wings and a parachute. Ultimately, the...

Moller M200 Skycar

27 June 2018 || < 1 min read

Quick Summary

The Moller M200 Skycar is the smaller version of the M400 Skycar currently under development by Moller International. The M200 uses two horizontal ducted fans for level flight, and two inline vertical fans that supply lift for nearly vertical takeoffs and landings. It featured an ethanol-powered propulsion system and was equipped with folding wings and a parachute. Ultimately, the DoD - the target customer of the M200 Skycar - showed little interest and Moller has moved on to the development of its other VTOL models such as the M400 Skycar.

Moller International, based in Dixon, CA

Stage of Development

Preliminary Design

Prototype Build

Flight Testing

Certification

Commercially Operating

Technical Details

Aircraft Type: Winged VTOL

Powerplant: Ethanol

Range: 434 miles

Top Speed: 242 mph

Propeller Configuration: Two Nacelles and Two Lifting Ducts

Passenger/Payload Capacity: One Pilot, One Passenger in Tandem

Autonomy Level: Piloted

Dimensions: 8.5 ft wingspan, 14 ft length, 6 ft height

Other Information:

Weight: 1320 lbs

Net Payload: 400 lbs

Motors: 8 electric motors at 45kW each

Cruise Speed: 205 mph

Continuous Engine Power (total): 170 hp

From the Moller Website:

Originally conceived with military applications in mind, the Skycar® 200 is a lightweight, 2-passenger VTOL aircraft now targeted for local commuter markets. Capable of speeds up to 240 mph, the Skycar® 200 design incorporates multiple redundant systems, multiple safety features, and its Flight Control System (FCS) virtually eliminates the complexities of flying. Even a novice operator can master the skills needed to maintain precise control over the aircraft.

In the future, passengers will not be required to fly the aircraft, as the Skycar® will be an autonomous aircraft utilizing advanced onboard environment scanning and precise positioning systems, the highway-in-the-sky (HITS) and automated air traffic control in order to fly between destinations and avoid other air-traffic.

Our Take on Moller

The Moller M200 Skycar has already undergone a flight test program, though it is a seemingly defunct model in Moller's VTOL lineup. Additionally, its use of ethanol fuel in lieu of electrical power to rotate the ducted fans puts the vehicle at a disadvantage to other eVTOLs vying for market share in the commercial aerial mobility industry. Moller has since commenced development of the M400 Skycar, a 4-seat version of the M200, based on customer feedback.

References

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Back to The Hangar

Terrafugia TF-X

27 June 2018 || < 1 min read

Quick SummaryThe Terrafugia TF-X concept was developed by Terrafugia, formerly based in Woburn, MA. The TF-X is a road-able aircraft that utilizes folding wings to allow for landing in compact areas, and two propellers for upward and horizontal propulsion. The TF-X is the next model in the line that is anchored by the Terrafugia Transition.CompanyCEOProduct NameTerrafugia - GeelyChao JingTF-XStage of...

Dutch Aerospace Prepares for Electric Flight

27 June 2018 || 5 min read

From a NLR Press Release: The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has opened research installations and offices covering 18,000 m² in the town of Marknesse as its new research facility for electric flight. Together with PwC, NLR unveiled at the opening ceremony the electric Pipistrel Alpha Electro, which will be deployed as a research aircraft in NLR’s new Living Lab for...

Dutch Aerospace Prepares for Electric Flight

27 June 2018 || 5 min read

From a NLR Press Release:

The Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has opened research installations and offices covering 18,000 m² in the town of Marknesse as its new research facility for electric flight. Together with PwC, NLR unveiled at the opening ceremony the electric Pipistrel Alpha Electro, which will be deployed as a research aircraft in NLR’s new Living Lab for Electric Flight. NLR is thus ready to embark on the next step towards assuring the sustainability of aviation, namely aircraft powered by electric engines. The new-build facility with its state-of-the-art research facilities was officially opened by Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Van Nieuwenhuizen said in her speech: “The Netherlands is highly successful in aerospace technology. This is precisely how it should be, because demand for air transport is continuing to grow. But we can’t simply go on building more and more planes. The aircraft also need to be lighter, must be equipped with new technology and have more economical engines. They present new challenges and we must look for the answers. Wherever new ideas must lead to new possibilities, there is a need for incubators. This new NLR complex is such an incubator.”

Living Lab for Electric Flight: a new research facility for electric flight
Auditing and consultancy firm PwC made a donation to NLR to enable the purchase of an electric plane – the Pipistrel Alpha Electro – so as to press ahead with the development of sustainable aviation. The donation fits in with PwC’s ambition to be a circular and CO2-neutral business in 2030. PwC has been monetising its CO2 emissions since 2017 and uses this budget firstly to reduce and then to offset emissions. Among other things PwC is stimulating on-line conferencing, international travel by train and electric driving. The company is additionally investing in sustainable mobility innovations by bringing in knowledge and money. “There’s a lot more to gain in aviation”, said Michael de Ridder, CFO and COO of PwC. “With this donation, PwC wants to make a contribution to accelerating the transition to electric flight. As a user, an international organisation with clients worldwide, we want to take our responsibility by pursuing CO2 reduction, offsetting and innovation.”

The Pipistrel Alpha Electro allows NLR to take a significant step forward in the development of electric flight. In its Living Lab for Electric Flight, NLR will conduct research into such matters as how to increase the range of the Pipistrel Alpha Electro by using new battery technology or a fuel cell and aerodynamic enhancements.

‘Electric flight’ symposium
The event in Marknesse included a mini-symposium called “Electric flight in 2050: dream or opportunities for the Netherlands?” The symposium, attended by a sizeable representation of the Dutch aerospace sector, provided an impression of current technological advances in electric flight and outlined the perspective for opportunities and challenges for the Dutch aerospace sector in this field.

Wright Electric
A key attendee was Jeff Engler, CEO of start-up Wright Electric of Los Angeles, who gave a presentation. Wright Electric has entered into cooperation with easyJet and has expressed its ambition to develop a completely electric aircraft capable of operating flights with 150 passengers over distances of around 540 kilometres , such as between Amsterdam and London or Paris, within 10 to 20 years.

The opening and the subject of sustainable aviation also presented an opportunity for partners to display their models, such as the Delft Hyperloop, Solar Car Twente and Ehang of KPN.

Why it’s important: The NLR’s opening of a new research center and incubator represents a large-scale government effort to involve electric aircraft, drones, eVTOLS, and commercial transports into the every-day life of travelers, commuters, and logistics companies. The government backing from the Netherlands combined with support from PwC increases the resource pool available to NLR vastly – expect major updates coming from the center as work spools up.

Source

NLR Press Release

Ray Research Dart Flyer

26 June 2018 || < 1 min read

Quick SummaryCompanyCEOProduct NameRay Research, based in Muttenz, SwitzerlandDavid PosvaRay Research Dart FlyerStage of DevelopmentPreliminary DesignPrototype BuildFlight TestingCertificationCommercially OperatingTechnical DetailsFrom the Ray Research Website: Wingspan: 7.9 ft Length: 6.6ft Vision Ray Research AG invents and develops new aircraft designs, as well as aircraft propulsion systems. Our first patented aircraft, Ray, is a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) which carries 5...