Who hasn’t been stuck in traffic and said I wish I could get out of this mess and fly over it all. Well, that idea might be closer to reality than you think. You see, an Austrian startup called FlyNow Aviation is developing an auto-piloted electric helicopter, or eCopter, that aims to revolutionize urban air mobility.
What is an eCopter?
An eCopter is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that uses a coaxial drive train with two-rotor propellers. Unlike a drone, which has multiple rotors, an eCopter has only two, making it more efficient and stable. It also has the advantage of being able to use existing regulations for certification. This means that the eCopter could be certified faster and cheaper than other eVTOL designs.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
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The eCopter by the numbers
Flynow’s eCopter comes in 3 different versions, depending on the function, payload, and type of powertrain. The cargo version, C200B, can carry up to 441 pounds of goods, while the passenger versions, P1B and P2B, can seat one or two people, respectively.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
The B at the end stands for the battery-electric powertrain, which uses lithium-ion batteries to power the motors. However, the eCopter is also preparing for a hydrogen fuel cell version, which will be denoted by an H. This will allow for a longer range and lower emissions.
All three versions of the eCopter should have a flight/battery range of up to 31 miles and a cruising speed of 81 mph. If their predictions are right, FlyNow believes you should be able to use their air taxis for the same cost as those you already pay for on the ground.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
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Why choose a coaxial rotor design?
One of the main challenges of eVTOL aircraft is the low energy density of batteries, which limits the range and endurance of the flights. Therefore, the drive train efficiency is key for the successful implementation of eVTOL aircraft. One of the factors that affect the efficiency is the rotor disk loading, which is the ratio of the weight of the aircraft to the area of the rotor disk. The lower the rotor disk loading, the more efficient the aircraft.
The coaxial rotor design has a lower rotor disk loading than a quadcopter-like design because it uses two rotors stacked on top of each other instead of four rotors spread around the body. This means that the coaxial rotor design can generate more lift with less power, and also reduce the noise and vibration. The coaxial rotor design is so efficient that NASA chose it for its Mars Helicopter “Ingenuity,” which had to fly in an atmosphere that is only 1/100th as dense as Earth’s.
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What makes the eCopter different from other air taxis?
There are many companies that are developing eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility, such as eHang, Joby, Archer, and others. Each of them has its own vision and design, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. However, the FlyNow Aviation team believes that their main unique selling point and distinguishing feature is affordability.
They want to make their aircraft accessible to the general public, not just the wealthy elite. They are inspired by the history of mobility, where new means of transport became successful when they were affordable for the masses. For example, Ford with the “Model T” in the USA and Volkswagen with the “Beetle” in Europe.
The FlyNow Aviation team follows the same philosophy and aims to create a simple but intelligent and robust eVTOL aircraft that can be mass-produced and operated at low costs. They also want to create a positive social and environmental impact by reducing congestion, pollution, and accidents on the roads.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
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How far along is the eCopter project?
FlyNow Aviation’s eCopter project started with two generations of scaled models, which were used to test the software and control systems. Then, the team moved on to a full-scale proof of concept, which was tested last summer.
The proof of concept demonstrated the mechanical, electrical, acoustic, and systemic performance of the eCopter, and validated the simulation results. The team is now working on the series development, which will incorporate the feedback and improvements from the testing phase.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
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When and where will the eCopter be available?
FlyNow Aviation plans to start commercial operation in 2026 with the cargo version C200B. The first customers will be companies that already have experience in the aviation industry, such as logistics, delivery, emergency, and medical services.
After the cargo version, the passenger versions P1B and P2B will be introduced to the market in the second step. This will depend on the availability of a functioning infrastructure, such as vertiports, charging stations, air traffic management, and public acceptance. FlyNow Aviation believes that a step-by-step approach will reduce the technical, financial, and regulatory risks for all parties involved.
Credit: FlyNow Aviation
Kurt’s key takeaways
The eCopter is an innovative and ambitious project that wants to bring urban air mobility to the masses. By using a coaxial rotor design, various versions, and a step-by-step approach, the FlyNow Aviation team hopes to overcome the technical, financial, and regulatory challenges that face the eVTOL industry. They are confident that their aircraft will be ready for commercial operation in 2026 and that it will offer a safe, efficient, and sustainable way of flying over the traffic.
What do you think? Would you feel safe flying in an eCopter over the city? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below.
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