Tag: VTOL

United Technologies to Demo Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

30 March 2019 || 4 min read

What UTC’s Project 804 means for hybrid-electric propulsion. United Technologies Corporation – previously part of the conglomerate comprised of Pratt & Whitney, UTC Aerospace Systems, and Rockwell Collins – has recently launched a new startup-like division. United Technologies Advanced Projects (UTAP) “moves at intense speed to build and pilot ambitious product and service demonstrators, while simultaneously distilling UTC’s curious and...

United Technologies to Demo Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

30 March 2019 || 4 min read

What UTC’s Project 804 means for hybrid-electric propulsion.

United Technologies Corporation – previously part of the conglomerate comprised of Pratt & Whitney, UTC Aerospace Systems, and Rockwell Collins – has recently launched a new startup-like division. United Technologies Advanced Projects (UTAP) “moves at intense speed to build and pilot ambitious product and service demonstrators, while simultaneously distilling UTC’s curious and collaborative culture”, as put in a publication by the company earlier in March of this year. The paper outlined their new X-Plane demonstrator, and the company’s ambitions in progressing the future of hybrid-electric flight.

UTAP hopes to prove the economic viability of hybrid-electric propulsion by constructing and flying the demonstrator, called Project 804, in the next three years. The demonstrator will be a modified Bombardier Dash 8 Series -100 aircraft with the new propulsion system replacing one of the two megawatt-class engines. While the operating empty weight (OEW) of the aircraft is expected to increase, UTAP expects drastic gross weight savings due to decreased fuel consumption. Ultimately, they expect a total fuel savings of at least 30% during an hour-long mission.

UTC has experience in the electrification of aviation and strongly believes that hybrid and full-electric propulsion systems are becoming a viable engineering solution for modern aircraft. Rockwell Collins provided the Boeing 787, the “most electric airplane in the sky”, with its onboard electrical power system and successfully replaced systems which were previously powered by hydraulics or pneumatics. In the publication, UTAP addressed that full-electric propulsion is not yet applicable to regional or larger aircraft, but could very well be applied to VTOL air vehicles designed to transport 1-4 passengers distances of 200 km or less.

Source // United Technologies

As seen in the figure above, UTAP plans to operate the electric system only at high-output flight phases, namely at takeoff and climb. This method of propulsion system operation could also be a applicable to many vehicles in the urban air mobility industry. It would minimize the amount of fuel being burned at and near the ‘vertiports’ likely located in dense urban areas, and noise reductions could be seen due to the nature of electric-powered propulsion systems.

Why its important: “UTC is leveraging its full engine, electrical, and subsystems integration capabilities to open a new paradigm in aerospace propulsion.” The company’s Advanced Projects division is progressing the future of electric propulsion in aircraft and is likely to carry over to applications in the VTOL and urban air mobility industry.

Read UTAP’s latest publication on the Project 804 demonstrator here.

Transcend Air to Use BRS Aircraft Parachute Rescue System

24 March 2019 || 3 min read

The Transcend Air Vy 400 is a VTOL aircraft with dual-propellors that rotate from the configuration of a helicopter to that of a propellor aircraft. Its propulsion systems allows the vehicle to have the VTOL characteristics of a helicopter, but fly at up to 405 mph in horizontal flight. Transcend Air plans to use their technology to transport business travelers between...

Transcend Air to Use BRS Aircraft Parachute Rescue System

24 March 2019 || 3 min read

Transcend Air is partnering with BRS Aerospace for Vy 400’s safety system. BRS is the leading whole aircraft rescue parachute system manufacturer in the world. The company has an impeccable reputation, and recently recorded its 401st life saved when the system was deployed. BRS has previously partnered with manufacturers of “Light Sport Aircraft, experimental aircraft, ultralights, unmanned vehicles, military aircraft, and FAA/EASA Type Certified general aviation, including the most popular piston-powered aircraft in production today.” This partnership with Transcend Air is supposed to make the Vy 400 the “safest VTOL aircraft in history”. Transcend is committed to designing the aircraft with occupant protection as the very first priority, and is expected to even go “beyond the occupant protection requirements of the current Part 23, Part 25 and Part 27 FAA aircraft certification regulations,” according to a press release.

For technical specs of the Vy 400, visit The Hangar // Transcend Air photo

Upon activation of the system, a ballistic rocket propels a parachute into the airstream to slow the airplane and float it down into a survivable vertical landing. While currently designed for fixed-wing aircraft, BRS plans to slightly modify the system to accommodate the Vy 400. This includes the functionality for an automatic activation system. In addition to the BRS system, Transcend Air plans to implement new impact energy absorption techniques from the automotive industry such as state-of-the-art airbags and a frangible structure.

Why it’s important: By providing a world-renowned safety system to passengers aboard the Vy 400, Transcend Air is improving the public sentiment toward urban air mobility. The confidence that passengers will safely arrive to their location – whether it be for business or personal travel – is paramount, and the BRS parachute system will set a new standard for safety in the urban aviation industry.

Source // Transcend Air Business Wire Press Release

Uber Elevate Sees Potential Partner in Jaunt Air Mobility

19 February 2019 || 4 min read

Kaydon Stanzione, a New Jersey engineer and entrepreneur, and the founder of Jaunt Air Mobility, has been quietly developing his company with little to no media presence. This has been a trend with other rising eVTOL companies such as Beta Technologies, where focus has been placed almost exclusively on development, for a leaner – and possibly quicker – road to...

Uber Elevate Sees Potential Partner in Jaunt Air Mobility

19 February 2019 || 4 min read

For Jaunt Air Mobility, their goal is to “couple the speed, range and efficiency of an airplane with the vertical takeoff and landing capability of a helicopter along with the unparalleled safety of a high inertia rotor.” To do this, Jaunt has already acquired Carter Aviation Technologies, “aerospace research and development firm that developed and demonstrated Slowed-Rotor/Compound (SR/C™) technology”. Carter has been around since its founding in 1994, and has since flown demonstrators such as the Carter Copter and Passenger Air Vehicle (PAV), which can be seen in the video below.

Carter Aviation Technologies, and their new-founded collaboration with Jaunt Air Mobility, has caught the eye of Mark Moore, director of engineering at Uber Elevate. Currently, Uber Elevate has partnered with 5 companies which are all developing their take on fixed-wing electric or hybrid-electric aircraft with distributed propulsion and control systems. Jaunt Air Mobility could be the sixth company to partner with Uber Elevate given if it receives venture capital funding, and would be the first of the partners to incorporate Slowed-Rotor/Compound technology in their design.

Additionally, since the Jaunt aircraft design combines that of a helicopter and a traditional fixed-wing aircraft, it employs the use of autorotation, which is what makes helicopters safe to fly. The company touts this as an advantage of its aircraft because the air pushing through the large, horizontal rotor ideally produces enough lift to safely land the vehicle. This contrasts other eVTOL designs which would rely on safety mechanisms such as parachutes if the aircraft were to require an rapid-descent landing.

Carter Copter, a Carter Aviation Technologies demonstrator

Why its important: Jaunt Air Mobility’s hybrid design approach includes important safety features of a high inertia rotor which could enable the aircraft to be a widespread commercially viable option. Since Uber Elevate would likely be transporting high volumes of passengers daily, they would need to prove both to the passengers and regulatory agencies that the vehicles they are operating are safe and have reliable safety measures. This, coupled with receiving venture capital funding, could make Jaunt a viable partner for Uber Elevate in the near future.

Source // CleanTechnica, Nicolas Zart

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

16 December 2018 || 3 min read

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

16 December 2018 || 3 min read

Electrafly, a self-funded aviation startup based in Utah, has announced plans to partner with Utah’s very own dedicated unmanned aircraft system test sight operator Deseret. Set to begin in 2019, flights over the FAA-sanctioned test area will work all the way up to forward flight of a single passenger. The aircraft, dubbed the Electraflyer, is a hybrid electric multi-copter, meaning it features the combination of a gas powered turbine and several electrically driven propellers. All-together the distributed propulsion system produces enough thrust to carry the 75 lb. airframe and a single person.

Electrafly prototype hybrid electric multicopter Deseret

The electrafly prototype, with its four winged propeller arms, combines the best qualities of fixed wing and multicopter aircraft.

Deseret Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is a company dedicated to the advancement of drone related technology under development in Utah. Furthermore, it intends to attract new businesses to its home state. Tulinda Larsen, executive director of Deseret UAS believes “the biggest untapped resource in the U.S. and the world is our airspace”. Deseret currently has access to a smaller test facility, called the Xperience Center, and is working to secure larger FAA approved test sights throughout Utah.

Electrafly single passenger hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft

ElectraFly’s founder and director of development John Manning is optimistic about the partnership with Deseret. “The work that Deseret UAS is doing is really a miracle for us in terms of how the timing is working out,” Manning said. “Having designated flight areas where FAA exemptions are in place is critical to us and the industry to making continued research progress.” Consistent effort is critical to new entrants in the rapidly growing urban air mobility market. In addition to the manned test flights with Deseret, Electrafly will pursue an initial application of its technology in unmanned package delivery.

Electrafly Electraflyer John Manning Deseret vtol hybrid electric

Electrafly founder John Manning joins the wings to the center section of the prototype Electraflyer aircraft.

Why it’s Important: Test flights in designated areas will prove key in traversing the difficult regulatory landscaping that opposes urban air mobility startups. This partnership between Electrafly and Deseret UAS sets an example for how similar companies across the globe can prove their technology is safe and ready to launch.

Assen Aero Flight Tests A1 Hoverbike

06 December 2018 || 2 min read

Assen Aero successfully flight tested a prototype of their A1 Hoverbike. A video posted to Youtube earlier this week shows the bike flown remotely at low altitudes. This is the one of the first steps towards full scale technology demonstration, which may include Hoverbike races as early as next year. Assen Aero, based in South Florida, has been working on...

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Tag: VTOL

United Technologies to Demo Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

United Technologies to Demo Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

What UTC’s Project 804 means for hybrid-electric propulsion.

Transcend Air to Use BRS Aircraft Parachute Rescue System

Transcend Air to Use BRS Aircraft Parachute Rescue System

Uber Elevate Sees Potential Partner in Jaunt Air Mobility

Uber Elevate Sees Potential Partner in Jaunt Air Mobility

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

Assen Aero Flight Tests A1 Hoverbike

Assen Aero Flight Tests A1 Hoverbike

What UTC’s Project 804 means for hybrid-electric propulsion.

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