Aircraft

AirQuadOne could be your flying quadbike

AirQuadOne could be your flying quadbike
Plans call for there to be both manned and unmanned versions of the AirQuadOne
Plans call for there to be both manned and unmanned versions of the AirQuadOne
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Plans call for there to be both manned and unmanned versions of the AirQuadOne
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Plans call for there to be both manned and unmanned versions of the AirQuadOne
The AirQuadOne's battery, which will make up about 100 kg (220 lb) of the aircraft's 500-kg (1,102-lb) total weight, will be compatible with direct-wire or induction hardware at electric car recharging stations
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The AirQuadOne's battery, which will make up about 100 kg (220 lb) of the aircraft's 500-kg (1,102-lb) total weight, will be compatible with direct-wire or induction hardware at electric car recharging stations
AirQuadOne pilots will reportedly have 24/7 traffic management support when flying, along with an emergency satcom connection
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AirQuadOne pilots will reportedly have 24/7 traffic management support when flying, along with an emergency satcom connection
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At the upcoming Paris Air Show, European consortium Neva Aerospace will be presenting a new concept for a personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft. Known as AirQuadOne, plans call for the fully-electric vehicle to be able to reach a maximum altitude of 3,000 ft (914 m) and travel at top air speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), with one charge of its battery pack being good for 20 to 30 minutes of flight time.

That battery, which will make up about 100 kg (220 lb) of the aircraft's 500-kg (1,102-lb) total weight, will be compatible with direct-wire or induction hardware at electric car recharging stations. It should also be possible to simply pull a spent battery out and swap it for a fully-charged replacement.

Plans call for there to be both manned and unmanned versions, both of which will have a payload of up to 100 kg. There may also be a semi-electric hybrid model, which would have a flight time of about one hour. All models will feature a body made from recycled carbon fiber.

The AirQuadOne's battery, which will make up about 100 kg (220 lb) of the aircraft's 500-kg (1,102-lb) total weight, will be compatible with direct-wire or induction hardware at electric car recharging stations
The AirQuadOne's battery, which will make up about 100 kg (220 lb) of the aircraft's 500-kg (1,102-lb) total weight, will be compatible with direct-wire or induction hardware at electric car recharging stations

Neva is currently developing the swivelling shrouded electric turbofans that will be used to provide thrust, and is anticipating that the aircraft will be certifiable under the Light Aircraft category within the US and European Union. Users will reportedly have 24/7 traffic management support when flying, along with an emergency satcom connection.

There's currently no word on when a functioning prototype may be ready.

Source: Neva Aerospace via sUAS News

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7 comments
7 comments
MQ
Looks "pie in the sky" for the intended use ("flying quad-bike"), but uses proven techniques...
BTW an Electric ducted fan can't be called a turbofan as it lacks any kind of turbine.... FWIW
piperTom
It's a surprise that the battery is only 20% of the net weight. I would have thought that, with modern composites, the weight of the structure and motors could be kept UNDER the battery weight.
DavidAcklam
Another great idea ruined by the tech industry's obsession with global warming!!
Make it run on GASOLINE, and you can have hours of endurance, and a practical product....
So much cool stuff held back because the idiot in charge of development insists it has to be battery powered...
Gizmowiz
Imagine those ranges once the next generation of batteries is available that have 10 times the energy density--with 50 times possible.
ezeflyer
Too many manned multicopter inventors sacrifice looks over function without having a working prototype. Here is a simple one that works well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIS_SlMA6to
mrhuckfin
Give it a gas engine and I would look into one of these, but as an electric no way.
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is a neat idea. I wonder if one could have a generator powered by the Liquid Piston engine (which I believe could run on bio-fuel). The generator could power the electric motor ducted fans and back up batteries. I think it could extend the range of the vehicle.