New Atlas

Drones Audio available

Vogi VTOL drone uses swingin' props to keep things simple and efficient

Ben Coxworth May 24, 2019

Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones typically have four horizontal propellers for moving up and down, along with a vertical rear "pusher" prop for moving forward in more efficient fixed-wing flight. A new aircraft, however, uses the same four props for everything.

The Vogi seen from the front, with its four main propellers tilted forward

Urban Transport Audio available

Transcend Air and Lily Helipads team up to build eco-friendly "vertipads" for air taxis

Ben Coxworth May 17, 2019

It was a year ago that we first heard about Transcend Air Corporation's Vy 400, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that will ferry passengers in and out of cities. Now, the Boston-based company has announced plans for floating environmentally-friendly landing pads for the aircraft.

Vertipads are initially being planned for Boston, Manhattan, Montreal and San Francisco

Aircraft Audio available

Lilium's full-sized electric jet flies for the first time

Nick Lavars May 15, 2019

Lilium first emerged in 2016 as an aviation startup with some very lofty ambitions, revealing plans to develop a five-seat electric aircraft. It has now taken a significant step toward achieving this aim, completing a flight of a full-scale prototype.

Aircraft

Ford funds study on eVTOL commuting emissions, and it doesn't go well for Ford

Loz Blain April 10, 2019

A Ford-funded study by the University of Michigan has examined the environmental credentials of electric VTOL aircraft for commuting, compared to both regular and electric cars over a range of commuting distances. The results paint an interesting picture of future mobility.

An 'artistic rendering' of a future VTOL air commuter

Automotive Audio available

Goodyear flies into Geneva with Aero tiltrotor tire concept

Ben Coxworth March 5, 2019

If they really are to be considered "cars," flying cars will require at least two things: tires for driving on the road, and propellers for flying through the air. Goodyear has combined the two into one unit – or actually into four units – with its Aero concept.

The non-pneumatic Aero tire features shock-absorbing spokes that double as rotor blades

Aircraft

Watch Vahana's flying car transition from VTOL to forward flight mode

Loz Blain February 24, 2019

In its 50th test flight, Vahana's Alpha One is starting to demonstrate its tilt-wing flight capabilities. Its eight electric props point skyward for vertical takeoff and landing, then tilt forward when in motion for efficient, quick winged flight over long ranges.

Vahana's Alpha One has completed some 50 test flights now, and has just demonstrated its ability ...

Drones Audio available

VTOL drone improves on its predecessor in almost every way

Ben Coxworth January 25, 2019

Four years ago, Arizona-based start-up Krossblade announced the SkyProwler, a prosumer VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drone with retractable rotors. Now, the company is taking orders for the faster, lighter, longer-running and generally just more capable SkyProwler 2.

The SkyProwler 2 has a lighter-than-before carbon fiber body

Aircraft Audio available

Boeing VTOL air vehicle prototype makes first flight

Ben Coxworth January 23, 2019

Given how many groups are now developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, it shouldn't come as a surprise that aerospace giant Boeing has been working on some of its own. This Tuesday, one of the prototypes made its first flight.

The PAV utilizes four sets of rotors for vertical takeoffs and landings, along with a rear ...

Aircraft

For $150,000 you can now order your own Hoverbike

Rich Haridy October 28, 2018

This crazy looking motorcycle-styled hoverbike appeared in early 2017 and we were skeptical the contraption would ever move beyond just an odd engineering curiosity. However, Hoversurf has revealed its hoverbikes are now ready for production and preorders are open, with delivery scheduled for 2019.

$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike

Aircraft

Electric air taxi prototype makes flight debut

Paul Ridden September 11, 2018

Vertical Aerospace operating out of Bristol, UK, aims to bring on demand, emissions-free intercity air taxi services to the UK skies within four years. The company has nailed the first step in its bold plan by building and flying a fully electric vertical take off and landing aircraft recently.

The Vertical Aerospace eVTOL prototype took to the air above Cotswold Airport in June 2018