German urban air mobility developer Volocopter introduced its
fourth-generation electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) design
on Wednesday. The VoloCity, which is intended for use as an urban air taxi, is
expected to have a range of 35 km (19 NM), a top airspeed of 110 km/h (59
knots), and a payload capable of accommodating two people and “hand luggage.” Design
updates include aerodynamically shaped rotor beams and a new stabilizer.
With a range of 19 nm, they must be planning to only service the more compact European cities. I live over 19 miles from downtown and more than 30 miles from the main airport. Their machine won’t do most Americans much good.
>>How does hauling 2 people with no sizable luggage “meet the demand” of Urban Air Mobility?
I agree it seem like a meager useful load. On the other hand, don’t most people hail a cab or uber by themselves? So this thing could take me and my luggage to the airport (if within range).
David, just curious…
What happens when this thing does operate in high density city with homeless tents and garbage and umbrellas and rain water and small pets and a curbside Café and dirt?
Won’t it all “hit the fan” for everyone else just because YOU wanted a private flight instead of catching a cab?
I think the eVTOL people may be too focused on the technology and not on the problems that this will causes to most everyone else.
I believe there are some locations where 19nm range would be sufficient. Dallas Love field is only 6 miles from downtown Dallas. Dallas executive airport is about 9 miles. eVTOL would be perfect for quick ferries between these airports and downtown Dallas. I don’t know if there’s really much demand for that, but if you really want to avoid traffic, eVTOL would be the way to go.
It would presumably follow the same laws which prevent existing helicopters from landing in the street, and which keep the homeless (along with the rest of the general public) from loitering about on existing helo-pads.
And same laws that prevent air travel near sports events and other TFR’s.
I agree that existing helos can already do what eVTOL proposes, but existing helos have more payload and range and capability.
Jon H., I don’t dispute that there will be a market for this type of aerial transport. However, the makers of these machines promise that they are the answer to traffic congestion around the world. Hardly. Unless they can make them accessible and affordable to more than just rich business tycoons or people on a generous expense account, they will amount to little more than an overpriced fad. Also, 99% of the public has no concept of maximum gross weight. If there are two seats, two large Americans will pile in with overloaded briefcases and wonder why it won’t get off the ground.
Some of these AEV’s will find a niche, but widespread use requires orders of magnitude better batteries and quick recharge stations dotting the landscape. Not happenin’ any time soon.