News

  • SkyDrive SD-05
    by william.moore@aviationweek.com on January 3, 2024 at 12:18 pm

    SkyDrive SD-05 william.moore@… Wed, 01/03/2024 – 12:18 The SD-05 “Flying Car” is an eVTOL multicopter being developed by SkyDrive Inc. A predecessor aircraft, the SD-03 has been successfully flight tested and the SD-05 awaits testing. Entry into service is planned for 2026 in both Japan and the U.S., with certification coming from the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and the FAA. JCAB and the FAA have agreed to partner on eVTOL certification, with the SD-05 set to be certified under JCAB Airworthiness Inspection Manual (AIM) Part II (Revision 61). SkyDrive have approximately 250 non-firm orders of the SD-05.Structure and PowertrainThe SD-05 seats two passengers and a pilot within the composite fuselage with large viewing windows developed by Toray Carbon Magic. A large frame reaches out across the top of the aircraft and mounted at various points across this are twelve independent units of electric motors and fans configured in a dome shape. The aircraft features skid style landing gear and an H-tail. The EPiC battery system is to be supplied by EP Systems.Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.SpecificationsAircraft TypeeVTOL multicopterSeatsPilot+2MTOW1,100kg/2,400 lbs.Length9.4m/31 ft.Wingspan9.4m/31 ft.Landing GearFixed skid landing gear.Cruising Speed100kph/62 mphRange5-10kmEndurance5-10 minsFlight ControlsFly-by-wireTakeoff & LandingVTOLAutonomyPlannedAvionicsThe SD-05 will have a fly-by-wire flight control system and SkyDrive have plans to make the system autonomous in the future. Channel Commercial Aviation Market Indicator Code Commercial Program Profile ID 471793

  • Wisk Cora Generation 6
    by shambo.pfaff@informa.com on November 29, 2023 at 2:21 pm

    Wisk Cora Generation 6 shambo.pfaff@i… Wed, 11/29/2023 – 14:21 The Cora Generation 6 is a tiltrotor eVTOL being developed by Wisk Aero LLC. Subscale Cora Generation 6 flight testing is underway. Across the five generations of aircraft leading to the Cora Generation 6, previously operated under the Kittyhawk and Zee.aero brand, more than 1,550 full-scale test flights have taken place. Entry into service is uncertain, but is planned for later than other, non-autonomous, competitors. Type certification being sought from the New Zealand CAA, with the goal to achieve equivalency with the FAA. Wisk currently have a very small number of non-firm orders of the Cora Generation 6.Structure and PowertrainThe Cora seats four passengers inside the helicopter-like cabin with a panoramic viewing window. The aircraft has twelve lift fans with four blades each, mounted on booms adjacent to the fixed high wing, six fans to the front and six to the rear, the front six being tiltrotors and also providing propulsion. The aircraft has skid-style landing gear and a simple cross-shaped tail.Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard.SpecificationsAircraft TypeTiltrotor eVTOLSeats4Payload900lbs/408kgWingspan50ft/15.24mLanding GearSkid landing gearCruising Altitude2,500 – 4,000ftCruising Speed138mph/222km/hRange90 miles + reservesFlight ControlsTriple-redundant fly-by-wire.Takeoff & LandingAutonomous VTOLAutonomyAutonomousCollision AvoidanceConventional transponders including ADS-B, Mode-S, etc., and leveraging of radar and optical sensors to detect less-equipped aircraft and flying objects.IFR CompliantYesTransponderConventional transponders including ADS-B, Mode-S, etc.ADS-BYesAvionicsThe Cora Generation 6 will have a fly-by-wire, triple redundant flight control system and SkyNaute™ inertial navigation systems supplied by Safran. The aircraft will operate autonomously with remote supervision by a human. Market Indicator Code Commercial Program Profile ID 471792

  • Volocopter VoloRegion
    by shambo.pfaff@informa.com on November 29, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    Volocopter VoloRegion shambo.pfaff@i… Wed, 11/29/2023 – 14:19 The VoloRegion is a lift-plus-cruise eVTOL being developed by Volocopter GmbH. The first prototype flight test for the aircraft was conducted in 2022 and entry into service is planned for 2026, with certification to come from EASA under the SC-VTOL enhanced category. Volocopter have approximately 500 orders between all of their aircraft, a very small amount are firm orders.Structure and PowertrainThe VoloRegion seats four passengers inside the carbon fiber composite fuselage with large viewing windows and retractable tricycle wheeled landing gear. The aircraft features a high wing configuration and an M-shaped tail, with two booms extending between the two on either side. Three lift fans are positioned along the length of each boom and two ducted propellers are mounted to the sides of the fuselage. The fans/propellers are each powered by their own electric motor and the aircraft has lithium-ion batteries with swapping capabilities.Distributed electric propulsion (DEP) is the name given to this method of powering aircraft. No critical points of failure provide a high level of redundancy and will ensure safety onboard. Other safety features include the ability for the aircraft to land conventionally when necessary.SpecificationsAircraft TypeLift-plus-cruise eVTOLSeats4MTOWUnknownPayload300-400kg/660-880 lbs.Landing GearRetractable tricycle wheeled landing gear.Cruising Speed180 kph/110 mphRange100km/60 milesFlight ControlsFly-by-wireTakeoff & LandingVTOLAutonomyAutonomousAvionicsThe aircraft is to feature a fly-by-wire avionics system with Diehl Aerospace and Thales to supply the primary and backup flight control computers under a joint venture. The VoloRegion is set to have autonomous capabilities. Channel Commercial Aviation Market Indicator Code Commercial Program Profile ID 471790

Greenwood Aerospace News

Fire Danger

Fire Danger