Vickers WAVE eVTOL
Quick Summary
The Vickers Wave eVTOL is the eVTOL version of the Vicker Wave LSA (lightweight sport aircraft). The Wave LSA is an amphibious sport aircraft built to be sleek, safe, and dependable. Similar to to the Wave LSA, The Wave eVTOL design concept is built with ready-to-manufacture components and technology.
Vicker's Aircraft was founded in 2011, and introduced the Vickers WAVE in 2014. The company is based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Prototype Build
Flight Testing
Certification
Commercially Operating
*Note: Vickers Aircraft has not yet built a prototype because it is focusing purely on getting production-ready. It believes having a prototype is "only 15% of the battle".
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Intracity VTOL
Powerplant: ROTAX 915is (Intercooled Turbo - Fuel Injected 141hp) (current), battery powered (future)
Range: 1100nm
Top Speed: 120 kts
Propeller Configuration: 8 propellers at 4 locations on wings
Passenger/Payload Capacity: 2 passengers (including one partial pilot)
Autonomy Level: piloted
Wingspan/Dimensions: 25 ft x 7ft
Additional Information
| Seats | 2 |
| Max. Take-Off Weight | 1850lbs (839kgs) - FAA Weight Exemption |
| Max. Useful Load | 650lbs (295kgs)(option dependant) |
| Baggage /Storage | Unrestricted up to aircraft maximum useful load (25cu.ft. / 0.71cu.m) |
| Fuel Type | Auto-Gas or Av-Gas |
| Max. Fuel Capacity | 60 US.Gal (190L) |
| Max. Cruise Speed | 120kts (138mph) / 222km/hr.) |
| Max. Range (std. tanks, no reserves) | 1100nm (1265st.m / 2037km) |
| Take-off and Landing Distance | 600ft (182m) (est. at MAUW, S/L, ISA) |
| Engine | ROTAX 915is (Intercooled Turbo - Fuel Injected 141hp) |
| Propeller | TBA |
Dimensions
| Wing Span | 30ft. 10in. (9.4m) |
| Wing Area | 150sq.ft. (13.87sq.m) |
| Length | 24ft. 8in. (7.5m) |
| Height | 7ft. 6in. (2.29m) |
Cockpit/Cabin Internal
| Width | 53in. (1.34m) |
| Length | 55in. (1.40m) |
| Height | 44in. (1.20m) |
On Trailer
| Width | 8ft. (2.44m) |
| Length | 28ft. (8.5m) |
| Height | 8ft. 7in. (2.6m) |
Our Take on the Wave eVTOL
The Wave eVTOL is a bold concept, combining the challenges of seaplane flight with those of electric vertical takeoff and landing. The team seems to understand the difficulties behind bringing a product to market, though, and their choice of avoiding prototype production early on in the design phase is a unique approach for their business case. However, their reasoning for doing so is substantial: they see many prototypes that make undeliverable promises. Instead, they hope to focus on manufacturing potential immediately. Because they've based their entire design off already-feasible components, they most likely may be one of the first companies to bring its eVTOL to the production stage. The Wave eVTOL is also unique in its amphibious capabilities–this could position it well in markets that require water landings such as remote islands and difficult to access areas. Vickers' partnership with ROTAX announced on 2019, paired with the doubled down focus on design amidst the global pandemic of 2020 has allowed the company to firm their design approach prior to integration of the powertrain for their newest WAVE prototype, which "should be available soon".
References
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Aircraft Type: VTOL with rotating wing. Intercity.
Powerplant: Hybrid powertrain gives the WAVE eVTOL the ability to use high powered electric motors for direct drive to the rotors.
Range: 580 miles /930 kilometers
Top Speed: About 180 miles per hour / 300 kilometers per hour
Propeller Configuration: 4 wingtip rotors for vertical takeoff
Passenger/Payload Capacity: 2
Autonomy Level: piloted
Wingspan/Dimensions: 30 ft 10 in wingspan, 24 ft 8 in long
Additional Information from the Vickers Amphibious Aircraft
| Seats | 2 |
| Max. Take-Off Weight | 1850lbs (839kgs) - FAA Weight Exemption |
| Max. Useful Load | 650lbs (295kgs)(option dependant) |
| Baggage /Storage | Unrestricted up to aircraft maximum useful load (25cu.ft. / 0.71cu.m) |
| Fuel Type | Auto-Gas or Av-Gas |
| Max. Fuel Capacity | 60 US.Gal (190L) |
| Max. Cruise Speed | 120kts (138mph) / 222km/hr.) |
| Max. Range (std. tanks, no reserves) | 1100nm (1265st.m / 2037km) |
| Take-off and Landing Distance | 600ft (182m) (est. at MAUW, S/L, ISA) |
| Engine | ROTAX 915is (Intercooled Turbo - Fuel Injected 141hp) |
| Propeller | TBA |
Dimensions
| Wing Span | 30ft. 10in. (9.4m) |
| Wing Area | 150sq.ft. (13.87sq.m) |
| Length | 24ft. 8in. (7.5m) |
| Height | 7ft. 6in. (2.29m) |
Cockpit/Cabin Internal
| Width | 53in. (1.34m) |
| Length | 55in. (1.40m) |
| Height | 44in. (1.20m) |
On Trailer
| Width | 8ft. (2.44m) |
| Length | 28ft. (8.5m) |
| Height | 8ft. 7in. (2.6m) |
Headquarters: Hamilton, New Zealand
Vickers Aircraft CEO: Paul Vickers
Capacity: Configurable as a six-person taxi, four seat executive transport, cargo transporter, medical evacuator, and more.
Altitude: Operates between 500 ft to 3000 ft above the ground.
Fixed wing flight: On two separate wings, each with two rotors. The back wing starts at a lower position, then rises as the rotors rotate into fixed wing flight position.
Regulation: The Vickers eVTOL will be piloted rather than autonomous so that it can match regulations more quickly. It is still waiting for changes in the FAA to allow for electric propulsion. Vickers is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAANZ), which is excited by the prospect of eVTOL Vehicles and is near to becoming the first country in the world to allow manned eVTOL flights.
While the following options list covers the amphibious aircraft, many of the same features are reportedly to be included in the eVTOL version as well.
Airframe
- Folding Wings - Automatic
- Aluminium primary structure w/carbon fibre hull and corrosion resistant
- Cross-Over™ Fixed Landing Gear
- AVEO Conforma Zip TipsTM - Wing-Tip LED Nav/Strobe/"Wig-Wag"/Landing & Taxi lights
- Vertical Power - Electrical Management System
- Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
- BRS - Emergency Aircraft Recovery Parachute System (Ballistic Chute)
- Electric powered water thruster (retractable) for engine-off, on-water manoeuvring.
Instruments
- Dynon SkyView Touch SV-D1000 PFD/MFD (Single Display)
- SkyView - COM-C25 CON Radio
- SkyView - Intercom-2S - Stereo Intercom
- SkyView - XPNDR-261 - SkyView mode S transponder
- ADS-B 2020 Compliant
- SkyView Auto Pilot
- Ipad Mini EFB
- AOA (Angle of Attack Indicator)
* Instrument Upgrade Options available
Cockpit
- Cabin Heater & Climate Control Fans
- Central console Stick flight Controls
- Dual Sliding Side Doors for unobstructed and easy, safe entry/exit
- CO Detector
- High Visibility front windscreen (Pilot has 335 degree horizontal visibility arc.)
- Drink Holders
- Arm Rests
- Inertia Reel 4-Point Seatbelts w/ airbags (Amsafe)
Optional Extras
- Transport Trailer - options available
- Super Yacht configuration, w/ electric davit hook recovery system
- Air conditioning