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The Flexcraft is an eVTOL being built by the Lisbon, Portugal based Flexcraft consortium. Testing of the aircraft was slated to begin in November of 2019, but does not appear to have begun yet.

Flexcraft is an eVTOL in work by a consortium of companies in based in Lisbon, Portugal. According to their production schedule, the consortium should be in the midst of finalizing the design of their aircraft and beginning production of the first prototype. Flexcraft's last major appearance was at the Paris Air Show in 2019. Since its last update, Flexcraft has not begun flight testing or released any public information on a first flight date.

The Hopflyt Venturi is a craft designed to become the leading mobility source for any journey under 200 miles, according to the Hopflyt website. It uses advanced aerodynamics principles (detailed in the Technical Specifications section) for improved performance.

From the HopFlyt Website:

Advanced Aerodynamic Design

Utilizing a canard style design, the Venturi results in higher safety & a smoother ride experience for the passengers and the pilot alike. The wings tilt up for takeoff & landing, tilt down for forward flight and vary their angle while flying; hence "variable incidence."By using variable incidence wings & canards with channels, Venturi achieves wing-borne lift while hovering, which significantly reduces its battery power consumption.  Combining these technologies with DEP reduces mechanical complexity by removing traditional flight control surfaces (i.e. ailerons, elevators, rudder and flaps).  This reduces weight, improves reliability and reduces maintenance while allowing the aircraft to takeoff and land vertically. Wings and canards can vary angle in-flight and improve ride quality by keeping the fuselage at a level attitude during all phases of flight. The powered channel wing design creates high levels of lift by  efficiently accelerating air over the wing resulting in longer battery life. While the contra-rotating propellers produce more thrust and reduce noise. Control of the Venturi is provided by Distributed Electrical Propulsion (DEP) and the independently variable incidence wings and canards.

Technical Details

Aircraft Type: VTOL, moveable wing

Powerplant: electric ducted fans

Range: 100 nm

Top Speed: 120 knots

Propeller Configuration: 6 ducted fan rotors (final configuration has 8 venturi "channels")

Passenger/Payload Capacity: 4 pax, 1800lb MTOW

Autonomy Level: Semi-autonomous

Wingspan/Dimensions: 24 ft x 26 ft 

HopFlyt has a unique approach to creating their eVTOL from an aerodynamic standpoint - using power channels in the wings that aid in acceleration of flow in and around the propulsors of the aircraft - combined with a variable incidence angle wing to facilitate vertical takeoff and landing in addition to accelerated forward flight. The company has substantial experience in flight testing, has engineers from NASA, and an array of other resources. Subscale model testing has progressed, but no reports of their testing of a full scale prototype have emerged as of Q3 2020.

The AeroMobil 4.0 STOL is AeroMobil's final STOL concept before the company moves to designing and building its 5.0 VTOL concept. Bratislava, Slovakia based AeroMobil is also currently testing its 3.0 STOL.

Aircraft Type: Roadable STOL

Powerplant: Automotive gasoline combustion

Range: 466 miles

Top Speed: 223 mph

Propeller Configuration:  1 rear pusher propeller

Passenger/Payload Capacity: Two-seater

Autonomy Level: Pilot-assistance

Dimensions: 29 ft wingspan, 19 ft length, 4.6 ft height

Other Information:

Size/Capacity/Weight:

• Automotive Dimensions – 5.9 m (L), 2.2 m (W), 1.5 m (H)
• Aerospace Dimensions – 5.8 m (L), 8.8 m (WS), 1.4 m (H)
• Max Take Off Weight – 960 kg (useable load 240 kg)

Power:

• AeroMobil custom 2.0 l turbo charged 4-cylinder boxer ICE.
• Dedicated electric front wheel drive system incorporating electronic differential.
• Adaptive transmission delivering both road-going functionality and direct drive during the flight.
• Automotive Power – 80 kW (110 BHP) via twin E Motors
• Aerospace Power – 224 kW (300 BHP) via Turbo charged ICE (Euro 6)
• Direct Drive variable pitch propeller (speed 2 400 rpm)
• Overall Power plant weight 110 kg

Operating Range:

• Automotive Range (estimated using NEDC cycle) 4.2 l / 100 km
• Aerospace Max Cruise Range ~750 km @ 75 % (1 200 m, ISA)
• Fuel Capacity 90 ltr (95 RON Gasoline)

Performance:

• Automotive – Top speed 160 kph, 0-100 kph 10 sec.
• Aerospace – Vs / Vc / VD – 112 / 259 / 360 km/h
• MTOW Take Off Distance ground roll / 50 ft – 397 / 595 m

Safety:

• Airframe Parachute System
• Occupant Restraint Systems – Airbags, Pyrotechnic Load limiting seat belts.
• Integral Carbon Fiber Structure & Occupant cell.
• Autonomous Flight via current autopilot technology (optional)

Key Features:

• Full transformation into flight mode in less than 3 minutes.
• Adaptive Flight control surfaces and vehicle suspension for optimal take-off and landing.
• Advanced controls and avionics in both Fly and Drive mode.

Certification Basis:

• Automotive: EWVTA / M1 (EU) & 49 CFR 571 (US)
• Aerospace: CS 23 Rev 5/ELA 1 (EU) & 14 CFR 23 Rev 5 (US)

Wheels:

• Wheels Wheel and tyre size front: 165 / 65 / R15 on 15jx6 rim
• Wheel and tyre size rear: 145 / 65 / R15 on 15jx4.5 rim

AeroMobil's 4.0 STOL concept is very defined, as the construction of AeroMobil's website shows. However, no target first flight date has been set yet, and the AeroMobil team is still completing testing of their 3.0 STOL prototype. The company is already accepting orders for the 4.0, and intends on utilizing lessons learned from the 4.0 to roll into their VTOL aircraft, the AeroMobil 5.0. Monitor the developments of the 4.0 STOL for a good measure of how successful the company will be moving forward.

The AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL is being developed in the "Detroit of Slovakia" by Mr. Juraj Vaculík and his AeroMobil team. The 5.0 VTOL advances the company's 4.0 STOL design.

Other Information

The AeroMobil press release announcing the 5.0 VTOL:

AeroMobil, an advanced engineering company, today announced the extension of its planned product range with the launch of the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) concept for shared mobility. Together with the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL (short take-off and landing capability), the company solves the first-to-last mile of personal air transportation, because users are able to switch smoothly between flight and driving mode.

“The multi-product strategy means we can provide urban travel with the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL and intra-city travel with the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL. Our strategy solves the limitations of alternative VTOL concepts which are tied to dedicated landing pods rather than also using the existing road infrastructure,” said Juraj Vaculik, co-founder and CEO of AeroMobil.

The AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL concept has two electrically driven rotors to ensure safe vertical take-off with horizontal thrust being provided by an electric powered rear mounted pusher propeller. It will seat four passengers providing similar comfort and user experience as next generation electric vehicles. Each occupant will have access to a personalised inflight experience, with flight or drive data and advanced communications and media to ensure occupants stay connected while in the air or on the road.

AeroMobil’s international engineering team has more than 400 years of cumulative experience in the automotive and aerospace industries. The team has been able to develop the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL concept and AeroMobil 4.0 STOL to meet the varied needs of private usage and future flying taxi operators.  The AeroMobil 4.0 STOL is currently in the testing phase of the development and delivers efficient intra-city travel up to 700 km range, which is more than double that of most of electric VTOL passenger drone concepts due to much higher energy efficiency.

“We see flying cars as versatile vehicles that both fly and drive, which is what we will be able to offer with the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL and AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL concept.  We plan to deliver the vehicles with the range needed for urban and intra-urban journeys, allowing customers to travel in any weather conditions while maximising the efficiency for flying taxi operators.” - said Douglas MacAndrew, CTO of AeroMobil.

Production of the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL model will follow the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL roll-out which will be available in a limited series to private owners around the world in 2020. The company expects the AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL concept to be available within the next seven to ten years, in line with the reality of building and scaling the infrastructure and regulation for such innovative personal transportation.

“AeroMobil 4.0 STOL uses several patented technologies, a highly innovative combustion engine and has the benefit of using existing aerospace and automotive technology, combined in a unique way, thus achieving far greater energy efficiency, speed and range than any electric VTOL. It is also designed within existing regulation, hence enabling much sooner go-to-market in 2020 than the electric VTOL category, which in general is being mooted as ready for shipment in 2025”. – said Patrick Hessel, Chairman, AeroMobil.

The AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL conceptual design will maintain AeroMobil’s high standards for comfort and safety from the AeroMobil 4.0 STOL, which in flight mode, will be among the first flying vehicles with airbags, a frontal automotive vehicle crash structure and a parachute. Based on similar design language, it will have an instantly recognisable silhouette, with a modern and desirable exterior with a comparable footprint to a regular car.

Key Features of AeroMobil 5.0 VTOL

1. Vertical take-off and lift assistance motors on the tips of the wings for expanded flight performance and quality
2. Adaptive wings that ensure maximum efficiency in flight, improving safety and maximising electric range
3. Rear extension and control surface for enhanced flight control, stability and in-flight comfort
4. Adaptive suspension geometry for smooth landing and take-off improving occupant comfort
5. Battery package and drivetrain optimisation for fleet use to maximise utilisation in both urban and inter-urban use cases

AeroMobil is currently a very busy company - they're concurrently completing testing on their 3.0 STOL, working on designing and building their 4.0 STOL, and planning for ultimate implementation of the 5.0 VTOL. Although the company has a decent pool of resources, the 5.0 VTOL is still quite far down the design pipeline as the 4.0 STOL will most likely require almost all of AeroMobil's current resources. Monitor the 4.0 STOL's progress as a good barometer for the 5.0 VTOL's future success.