Page 27 - AAA JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2022 Online Magazine

eVTOL

add a second pre-production prototype aircraft
to accelerate flight testing this year.

CityAirbus Seeks Urban Air
New Wings Mobility Markets
Airbus is targeting emerging Urban Air Mobility
(UAM) markets with the prototype of its next
THE EVTOL INDUSTRY IS ADVANCING AT A generation of CityAirbus. Presently in its
detailed design phase, the prototype’s maiden
RAPID PACE flight is planned for 2023 with a 2025 date for
certification. CityAirbus features a distinctive
design with a uniquely designed distributed
Atul Chandra propulsion system which features eight electri-
cally powered propellers along with fixed wings,
a V-shaped tail. The zero emissions eVTOL will
The emergence of a series of electric Vertical Take-Off And be able to carry up to four passengers.
Landing (eVTOL) aircraft later this decade, will boost the aviation
industry’s move towards a sustainable future. While many of the Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO said
early leaders in the eVTOL space are based in the USA, Airbus has the company was on a quest to co-create
announced plans for a new CityAirbus eVTOL in September, last an entirely new market that sustainably inte-
year. CityAirbus is being developed for operations in major cities grates urban air mobility into the cities while
for a variety of missions and will be able to fly at a cruise speed of addressing environmental and social concerns.
120kmph and attain a range of 80km. ‘Airbus is convinced that the real challenges
are as much about urban integration, public
The USA remains the hotbed of eVTOL innovation and earlier this acceptance, and automated air traffic man-
year, U.S. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company Wisk secured agement, as about vehicle technology and
US$450 million in funding from Boeing, in a major endorsement of business models,’ he said. Airbus is benefitting
the former’s capabilities. Archer Aviation’s eVTOL demonstrator air- from years of dedicated research, innovation
craft ‘Maker’ achieved its first maiden hover flight in December, last with its two eVTOL demonstrators - Vahana
year, while Joby, a California-based company developing all-electric and CityAirbus, having flown around 1,000 km
aircraft for commercial passenger service announced that it would in total. CityAirbus NextGen meets the high-

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