In recent years, we have been hearing about numerous concepts for eVTOL (electric takeoff and landing aircraft) that aim to make individual flight more accessible, efficient, and environmentally friendly. FlyNow Aviation is also offering an exciting prospect.
The eCopter is a unique type of eVTOL that takes a different approach to stand out from its competitors. Despite the extravagant claims made by other companies about their advanced features and technology, the eCopter is not yet a reality and will still need to undergo certification when it reaches the prototype stage.
This is where FlyNow believes they can make a significant impact. Unlike similar products, the eCopter is not a quadcopter drone and cannot operate autonomously or without a license. Instead, it features a coaxial electric drivetrain with two counter-rotating rotor propellers positioned one above the other. With multiple safety redundancies in place, the eCopter qualifies as an electric helicopter.
Photo: FlyNow Aviation
The eCopter is classified as a Personal Air Vehicle (PAV), which means it is also automatic. This should make the certification process easier in the future.
Each propeller is powered by a separate motor consisting of four parts, with the remaining three capable of continuing operation if one fails. The eCopter incorporates safety measures such as the ability to perform evasive maneuvers in flight if it encounters a large bird or hover in place if sensors detect an incoming aircraft on the same flight path.
FlyAviation deliberately chose not to rely on autonomous capabilities due to the current limitations of the technology. Instead, they designed their aircraft to operate automatically, following predetermined paths similar to regular airliners.
Photo: FlyNow Aviation
Primarily intended for use as an air taxi within urban areas, or as a cargo taxi on specific routes, such as transporting supplies to ships in coastal waters, FlyNow Aviation refers to this as 3D mobility.
The most significant promise made by FlyAviation with the eCopter is not any of the aforementioned features but rather the claim that flying in an eCopter will be no more expensive than taking a land taxi. The company’s goal is to make individual flight enjoyable, fascinating, and accessible to everyone, while also promoting sustainability and convenience. It’s hard not to love that, isn’t it?
According to the company, the eCopter’s drivetrain requires fewer parts, resulting in a lower chance of malfunctions and reduced production and maintenance costs. Its compact size and lightweight also require fewer resources, leading to lower production costs and the potential for increased production capacity in the future.
Photo: FlyNow Aviation
Early estimates suggest that production costs for the eCopter will be ten times lower compared to similar eVTOL aircraft. FlyNow Aviation believes in the philosophy that simplicity is best, stating, “Perfection is achieved when there’s nothing left to take away,” and embracing the notion that “simple is complicated enough.”
However, the concept behind the eCopter is quite different from other companies’ offerings. While other companies promise high-tech aircraft that can perform various tasks, the eCopter focuses on being a basic eVTOL, increasing the likelihood of successful production.
The eCopter will be available in both passenger and cargo models, utilizing the same airframe to minimize production costs. The passenger model is expected to have options for single or two-person layouts. However, considering the maximum payload is 210 kg (463 lbs), which includes both passengers and luggage, it seems unlikely that the same airframe can be used without any adjustments. The numbers simply don’t add up.
With a range of 30 minutes or approximately 50 km (31 miles) on a single charge, the eCopter will fly at speeds of 130 kph (81 mph) at altitudes ranging from 150 meters to 300 meters (492-984 feet). In terms of emissions, the eCopter boasts an impressive 0 g of CO2 per kilometer traveled and noise emissions below 55 dB(A), making it an environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Furthermore, FlyNow Aviation aims to offer fares comparable to traditional, gasoline-powered taxis.
Of course, some may be skeptical of these promises, deeming them too good to be true. However, FlyNow Aviation addresses this skepticism by highlighting the experienced team behind the eCopter’s development. Led by CEO Jürgen Greil, the team consists of professionals with backgrounds in traffic engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, business administration, and the development of complex technologies in the mobility industry.
Although the eCopter concept has been in existence for a few years, there is currently no prototype available. FlyNow Aviation claims to have conducted successful ground tests on a full-scale proof-of-concept model and is currently working on the prototype. However, there is no information regarding the start of production, suggesting a waiting period of at least two years for its development.
According to the Source autoevolution.com