Vertical Aerospace VX4: The Taxi Plane of the Future
This page is translated from the original post "Vertical Aerospace VX4 : l’avion taxi du futur" in French.
- 23/03/2023 16:00
No, we are not in the world of Minority Report, but very much in real life, with this concept of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) taxi plane.
Would you like to take a taxi plane? Very common in science fiction movies, this process could develop faster than we think. Whether to escape the big cities without suffering traffic jams, to quickly deliver fresh products or urgent medications… The possibilities that open up for these aircraft are endless. Not to mention the more environmentally friendly aspect that should open up larger budgets for many manufacturers and startups in the aerospace sector.
The British company Stirling Dynamics (Expleo Group), specialized in advanced engineering, has partnered with the Korean group Hanwha Aerospace, an aircraft engine manufacturer, to work on an air taxi project.
The Vertical Aerospace VX4 aims to “revolutionize” the aviation industry with its high technological content. Equipped with four propellers, it features electromagnetic actuators instead of traditional hydraulic or pneumatic systems. With this setup, the VX4 can take off, land, and glide vertically, even in urban environments. Its electric motors also allow it to reach up to 160 km, although the detailed specifications of the model are not yet known.
A greener future?
This new project is the result of a fundraising campaign worth several million euros, but it could open many possibilities.
Jeff Hoyle, Vice President of Aero, Space, and Defense at Expleo, explains: “Not only does the technology we are developing meet the certification standards for eVTOL aircraft, but it also ensures a greener and cleaner future for our industry. We are pleased to fully embrace our role in transforming the way we travel.
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