WHAT ARE EVTOL AIRCRAFT?

One of the newest innovations in recent transportation technologies is the eVTOL aircraft. These electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are also known as air taxis or flying taxis for short distances. Powered by batteries, eVTOLs can hover and fly like a helicopter; they are usually designed to carry two to six passengers, including the pilot. (A helicopter is also considered a VTOL.)

The potential use cases for eVTOL aircraft are as follows:

Air Taxi Services: Air taxis could transport passengers quickly and comfortably over short distances.

Emergency Services:

In emergency services such as ambulance, firefighting, and search-and-rescue operations, eVTOLs can provide rapid intervention, especially in situations where traffic delays might hinder response times.

Logistics and Cargo Transportation:

eVTOLs can facilitate quick deliveries, especially for short distances, by saving time. For example, logistics companies like UPS may use eVTOLs in this field.

Tourism and Entertainment: Companies offering special tours or city sightseeing could use eVTOLs to provide tourists with aerial views.

Public Services: eVTOLs could be utilized in police and military operations for surveillance, monitoring, and support tasks.

Characteristics of eVTOL Aircraft:

eVTOL aircraft offer many advantages over helicopters and other aircraft due to their design and power structure:

Less Noise: In their forward flight, they use wing-induced lift as they accelerate and rotor speed is lower than helicopters, which reduces noise levels.

Increased Safety: Because they have multiple rotors, when one rotor fails, the others take over. In addition, eVTOLs’ energy systems are redundant, so the vehicle can continue to operate even if the battery pack fails.

Ease of Use: Thanks to the computerized flight control system, eVTOLs can be controlled more easily and efficiently.

Use in Urban Environment: Allows for urban flights without the need for traditional runways; suitable for short-haul applications such as postal services and emergencies.

However, e-VTOL aircraft lack the equipment and weight capacity for missions such as search and rescue and firefighting.

Future of The e-VTOL

EVTOL is a revolutionary innovation whose foundations have long been laid with the projects we have referred to as “flying cars” for many years. Although the debut of eVTOL in the aviation industry dates back approximately 10 years, it has rapidly evolved with different concepts tailored to various market needs. While there has not yet been a major breakthrough in the Far East (Japan, China, Korea), companies in the USA and Germany are making significant and innovative progress in this field. One of the main reasons for this advancement is the high demand for fast transportation and ease of use in the United States.

It is expected that eVTOLs will spread to many countries over the next 10 years for different purposes, with various designs emerging. In this context, UPS Cargo has been observed as one of the most common user and operator companies. While transportation and taxi services are moving towards more regional and localized concepts, the development of personal use is an exciting aspect to watch.