Video of the week: eStarling prototype completes hover tests
This week’s video comes from SAMAD Aerospace where the technology start-up has completed hover tests for its second prototype eVTOL eStarling aircraft.
Based at Cranfield Technology Park, the company is developing eStarling for intercity mobility by combining a helicopter’s vertical ability with the speed and range of a business jet.
With a semi blended wing body design and powered by sustainable aviation fuel, SAMAD Aerospace say eStarling will be the fastest hybrid eVTOL aircraft in the world (cruising speed of 300mph) with the longest range (800 miles). It will transport passengers ‘helipad-helipad’ avoiding the need to travel to and from airports.
Previous testing has developed conventional take-off and landing, and the company says recent tethered hover tests followed by full hover tests ‘demonstrated a very agile and stable prototype with hovering and helicopter moves.’
The company adds that the most recent hover tests were performed over a crane system and were focused on the validation of the flight control system in hovering mode. The aircraft is said to have consumed 65 per cent of the available power to take off and hover ‘with a healthy power surplus for adverse weather conditions.’
Register now to continue reading
Thanks for visiting The Engineer. You’ve now reached your monthly limit of news stories. Register for free to unlock unlimited access to all of our news coverage, as well as premium content including opinion, in-depth features and special reports.
Benefits of registering
-
In-depth insights and coverage of key emerging trends
-
Unrestricted access to special reports throughout the year
-
Daily technology news delivered straight to your inbox
Radio wave weapon knocks out drone swarms
Probably. A radio-controlled drone cannot be completely shielded to RF, else you´d lose the ability to control it. The fibre optical cable removes...