Originally published at: Archer, Joby Join White House eVTOL Program - AVweb
New White House eVTOL initiative aims to accelerate U.S. air taxi operations.
The program objectives may make sense in terms of emergency response but I have to wonder in that regard what these vehicles can do that the present generation of helicopters can’t. In terms of cargo delivery, the eVTOL would seem to be severely limited by payload and range constraints compared to say an electric delivery truck. I’ts the passenger rides part of the application that seems the most flawed. The concept is brilliant for the 0.1% that wouldn’t blink an eye to pay $1,500 for a ride to the Hamptons from Manhattan but as a means of offloading traffic from congested freeways? There is no economic model that makes sense in this application at scale.
I agree. I also would like to know if it can autorotate or does it use a parachute. Would really love to see the flight manual chapter on emergency procedures.
As a rated helicopter pilot, I don’t see how one of these eVTOL aircraft could be capable of autorotation. There’s not enough mass in all of the rotor systems to produce the required lift. I’m guessing a ballistic parachute is what they use. They are all anticipating unmanned operation but I think that will be a long time coming for passengers. Maybe sooner for cargo. I think passenger carrying air taxi operations will be few and far between because it’s not much different than a helicopter from a passenger’s viewpoint. Integrating eVTOL aircraft into the Uber app is a novel approach but there aren’t many vertiports around now and it will take a long time to be as convenient to get to one as it is to call an Uber on the ground. On the other hand, I can see value in air cargo operations. The range and load carrying capability are limited but the operations and maintenance costs are much less than a helicopter.
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