Space Zoo Patrol – Future Airplanes

By Thomas Haines, Sr VP, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

1. What is this technology called?

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (EVTOL) aircraft.

2. What does it do?

The EVTOLs take off and land like a helicopter, but fly like an airplane. It will be used to fly individuals and small groups of passengers short distances across cities, sort of like a flying taxicab or Uber.

3. How does it work?

Once lifting off vertically like a helicopter, its wings or electric motors tilt forward to pull it along like an airplane. For landing, it converts back to helicopter mode to land on a rooftop, helipad, or very short runway, delivering passengers to near their final destination rather than a big airport, which might be many miles from where the person wants to go.

4. How is it better than the older technology?

EVTOL aircraft will be electrically propelled, drawing power from onboard rechargeable batteries. They will be more energy efficient, environmentally safer, and quieter than today’s helicopters and they will be able to come and go from more places than an airplane, which requires a long runway. Eventually, they will be operated autonomously, meaning, without a pilot, which will make them even lighter and more efficient. Sooner, though, they will likely have a pilot on board to operate them.

5. What classes should I take in school to work on this?

The people who design and build EVTOLs will have a background in aeronautical, manufacturing, and electrical engineering. Classes that help you understand aerodynamics, physics, and electricity would be helpful, such as mathematics and physics classes.

6. Pictures

Links:

 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (https://aopa.org)

TransportUP https://transportup.com