They have many names: flying cars, multicopters, VTOLs, passenger drones, long-range helicopters or just future planes. These unique machines come in a wide range of flight styles, from simple fixed-propeller configurations (lift and cruise) to transformers in a variety of shapes (tilting rotors, fan-in-wing). But all of them are united by the ability of vertical take-off and landing, as well as the ability to overcome huge distances in excess of 1000 km (600 miles), thanks to the use of liquid fuels to generate electricity. And these amazing engineering creations can be as environmentally friendly as fully electric VTOLs, when using hydrogen. These advantages may allow hybrid aircrafts to become universal vehicles in the future, replacing cars and buses, helicopters and private jets, providing transportation from home to home.
In the previous videos, we have focused exclusively on electric, vertical take-off and landing
aircrafts. Amazing machines, but they have a significant drawback in the form of a limited
range, up to 200 km. And multi-copters are generally up to 30 km. Today, we're going to
take a look at 10 unique, hybrid VTOL designs, that are capable of covering distances in excess
of 1000 km. This is possible, because hybrids carry most of the energy in the form of liquid
fuel, which has a much higher energy density than batteries. But not all of this energy,
is immediately available. Therefore, hybrids also use a lot of quickly extractable energy from
batteries. During vertical take-off and landing, the batteries are rapidly depleted. And during
horizontal flight, they are charged. And if using hydrogen, all harmful emissions, are also taken
out of the cities. Number 10. Sion X-Flighter. Short range, low speed, and only 2 seats for
autonomous flight. But this futuristic design, deserves your attention, because this is not
only a video, the development of this aircraft, is really going on in Russia.
Sky. From Massachusetts, USA. Another multi-copter design, but this time more functional.
More than 600 km flight range, 190 km per hour cruising speed. 4 passengers plus pilot.
Most likely, designed for multiple flights within the city without recharging,
than for inter-city transportation. The company is also considering a cargo,
and medevac configuration. Number 8. Zuri. From Czech Republic.
This tilt propeller configuration, is already a classic among modern eVTOLs, such as the Joby.
However, the flight range on this hybrid electric installation, is 700 km,
which is several times higher, than the purely electrical counterparts.
Cruise speed is 300 km per hour. 5 or 6 seats variations, including pilots.
Number 7. Soar. The US based company Paragon, has come up with a very interesting orca-like design.
38 small, and 8 large ducted fans, promise to significantly reduce the noise level,
during vertical take-off and landing. The aircraft, will be able to fly 800 km,
with 5 passengers and a pilot. The Paragon Soar Air Ambulance,
will be a multi-purpose medical evacuation VTOL. Remote communities,
will be able to receive medical support. Number 6. City Hawk.
From the Israeli team, Urban Aeronautics. The unique multi-copter, deserves the name of a
flying car, more than others. The City Hawk, is comparable with a large SUV in terms of size,
and has the same seating arrangement for 5 passengers, including the pilot.
This key advantage of the City Hawk, will probably make it more successful in tight urban areas.
As it is able to build a wider network of vertiports, landing where competitors do not
have enough space. Medical evacuation, is also one of City Hawk's future features.
Flight range, is 150 km. Cruise speed, 240 km per hour.
Only two propellers, cause reasonable safety concerns.
Number 5. Artea. The French company, Ascendance Flight Technologies,
was founded by four former members of the Airbus C fan team, which developed all electric airplanes.
Artea's lift and cruise design, combines simplicity and elegance.
The predicted flight range for 5 people, is 400 km. Cruise speed, 200 km per hour.
This configuration has already been tested on the subscale model.
Number 4. Kavrat X-5. The patented fan-in-wing system, looks promising.
But this Canadian project, can't find an investor, and is stuck on a 1 6th subscale prototype.
Perhaps, the matter is in an overly complex, impractical design. In addition to the sliding
wing structure, the unused weight of 16 fans and electric motors, must be carried during level
flight. On the other hand, the design of the bottom shows, that the team, don't abandon hopes
of creating an amphibian, and teaching the Kavrat to land on water. By the way, their previous
project, Kavrat X-3, was a hybrid electric seaplane. Number 3. Cyclocar. Extraordinary
design, from the Russian team. First of all, it is planned to use this aircraft, for military needs.
And secondly, for civil aviation. The main advantage of this configuration,
is very fast control of thrust vectors, for excellent maneuverability.
Cyclocar, is able to dock to vertical surfaces. It is also keeps flying, with two inoperative
rotors. Here is an illustration, of how changing the angle of attack of each wing, creates thrust.
Unique features of the Cyclocar, are the ability to move sideways,
and land on an inclined surfaces of up to 30 degrees. Number 2. Trifan 600. US-based company
XDI, is building efficient configuration, with impressive performance. Trifan's maximum range,
is more than 1,000 kilometers. Capacity is up to 6 passengers plus pilot. Cruise speed,
is 550 kilometers per hour. Aircrafts of this class, will compete not only with helicopters,
but also with business jets, saving time, by providing transportation, from home, to home.
In 2015, the team built a 65 percent scale demonstrator, and raised 1 million dollars
through crop funding. And in 2021, they merged with Zirient Aerospace company.
XDI, raised over 20 million dollars, and received pre-orders for 200 aircrafts, at a price,
of 6 and a half million dollars. In the summer of 2022, the developers slightly changed the design.
The front fans, are now attached to the fuselage. Previously, they were built into the wings.
This solution, reduces the cost of production, and creates more lift on the wing.
They also changed, the way the rear fan opens. But, there is still some safety concerns.
Although the Trifan 600, has a full parachute, it also has a single point of failure.
If any of the three fans fail, during vertical takeoff or landing,
for example due to a bird, then a bad landing, is inevitable.
Therefore, you would like to have a reserve, as a minimum, one backup fan,
with a distributed propulsion system, like the winner of this top has.
Number 1. East Arling. ARC Aerosystems, is a technology startup based in United Kingdom.
Its venture funded team, created highly efficient design, with graceful lines.
Starling aircraft, combine the speed, and range of a private jet, and VTOL capability.
Luxurious interior, designed for a comfortable flight for 5 passengers, and 2 pilots.
Impressive range of 1000 km, and cruise speed of 480 km per hour.
There will be more capacious options, with remote control system,
and fully autonomous flights in the future. As well as a fully electric version, for medium
range flights. Starling, is scheduled to hit the market in 2025, with a price tag of around,
10 million dollars. A dark horse from California.
Audi's aviation, could easily take the top, if it delivers, on its performance claims.
But the question is, is this design, really capable of vertical takeoff?
