Humanity has always had a desire to fly, starting with hot air balloons in the 18th century and continuing with airships and planes. However, environmental concerns and fuel shortages have led some manufacturers to consider alternative methods of air travel. The Airbus A380, the largest passenger jet, produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution on long flights.
Although traditional air transportation is not yet obsolete, there is a growing interest in more innovative solutions. Some of these ideas, like flying cars and human-carrying drones, seem futuristic, while others, like carbon-neutral propulsion systems, are more practical. Regardless, it is clear that developers are exploring a range of options to address the environmental concerns and fuel shortages associated with current modes of air travel.
Rolls-Royce, a British developer that produces aircraft engines for Airbus, recently conducted a successful test of a hydrogen-powered aircraft engine that was produced using renewable energy sources. Additionally, in September, Eviation Aircraft, an Israeli company, successfully flew the world’s first purely electric-powered aircraft on a demonstration flight that reached an altitude of 1,066 meters.
The company stated that the aircraft has a range of up to 800 kilometers and can stay in the air for more than two hours on a full charge.
Boeing has been contracted by NASA to develop the X-48B, an aircraft that generates lift through its wings and body. An unmanned prototype of this aircraft has already completed its 100th test flight. The Supersonic Green Machine, designed by Lockheed Martin engineers, is intended to be the first supersonic passenger aircraft to operate with reduced emissions, producing 75% fewer emissions than Concorde.
British designer Mac Byers has also created the concept of the Sky Whale, which features intelligent skylights that function as solar panels for green propulsion.
The Horizon System is a proposed aircraft design that aims to reduce fuel consumption by eliminating the need for take-off. The system would involve seating passengers in vehicles similar to a metro train, which would be picked up by the aircraft while still on the ground. This would eliminate the need for landing and re-starting, which are fuel-intensive processes.
The world’s first airport to be a hub for vertical take-off and landing air taxis is due to open in Coventry, England, in spring 2022. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has already started the certification process for such vehicles.
They hope to debut the new technology at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The first of these cars, called Transition, was exhibited at the New York Auto Show and already has a chassis number that allows it to be put on the market.
The most futuristic is Lift Aircraft’s Hexa drone, which can keep its 18 rotors in the air for a quarter of an hour and could not be easier to operate: all you need is a joystick and an iPad. It can’t be flown above 100 metres and, like other drones, is banned over populated areas, but the main problem is probably the price.
Recent article
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous Air Traffic Control Systems
Drones News & Articles
The Promise of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) Systems Powered Drones
Drones News & Articles
Swarm Technology for Drones
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
The Global Race for Air Mobility Supremacy: Who Are the Leading Players and Innovators ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Environmental Impact of Electric Aviation: Beyond Zero Emissions
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
What Role Will Public Perception and Community Engagement Play in the Adoption of Urban Air Mobility ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Stratolaunch’s hypersonic vehicle launched for the first time
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
How are emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT being leveraged to enhance the safety, efficiency, and user experience of urban air mobility services ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Centuries-old technology could revolutionise aviation
Air taxi News & Articles
Economic Viability: Are Flying Cars and eVTOLs Economically Viable for Mass Adoption ?
Electric airplane News & Articles
The Environmental Impact of Electric Planes: Are They Truly the Greener Alternative ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How Airbus’ CityAirbus NextGen Aims to Revolutionize Urban Mobility ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
Alef’s flying car preparing for take-off
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Beyond the Prototype: The Economic Viability of Electric Aircraft
News & Articles Points of interest
Achieving Market Dominance in the eVTOL and Flying Car Industry
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Enhancing Emergency Response with eVTOL Technology
News & Articles Points of interest
The first large-scale rocket backpack competition was organised
Drones News & Articles
Red Bull has created the world’s fastest drone
Flying Cars News & Articles
Alef Aeronautics’ Model A could be in production in 2025
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
CycloTech Raises 20 Million Euros for Revolutionary Aviation Propulsion System
Flying Cars News & Articles
The Switchblade Flying Car: A Milestone in Personal Air Travel Featured in Pioneering Publication
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What are/will be the impacts of Evtol and flying cars on infrastructure ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Unveiling the Energy Dynamics of eVTOLs
Flying Cars News & Articles
Evolving Skies: The Surge in eVTOL and Flying Car Production
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What are the requirements for building a vertiport ?
Drones News & Articles
The role and future of military drones in wars
Flying Cars News & Articles
What are the safety concerns about flying cars and Evtol ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
What percentage of people may use flying cars and Evtols in the future ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
How Will Flying Car Technology Evolve in the Next Decade ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Satellite Communications in the Age of eVTOLs
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
eVTOLs: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility with Electric Propulsion
Drones News & Articles
A drone airliner lands at Abu Dhabi airport
Air taxi News & Articles
The cost of China’s Ehang unmanned air taxi revealed
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Role of Electric Motors in eVTOL Efficiency and Feasibility
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Evtols and the current state of self-direction
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous air mobility with EHang
Flying Cars News & Articles
New jobs in the eVTOL and flying car era
Air taxi News & Articles
The Future of Air Traffic Management in Urban Air Mobility
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
FAA’s Path to eVTOL Certification
Drones News & Articles
WaveAerospace’s hybrid-electric Huntress turbojet unveiled
More articles you may be interested in...
News & Articles Points of interest
Achieving Market Dominance in the eVTOL and Flying Car Industry
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Enhancing Emergency Response with eVTOL Technology
News & Articles Points of interest
The first large-scale rocket backpack competition was organised
Drones News & Articles
Red Bull has created the world’s fastest drone
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Satellite Communications in the Age of eVTOLs
The integration of satellite communication technology into the operation and navigation of eVTOLs (Electric Vertical.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
eVTOLs: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility with Electric Propulsion
Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles represent a cutting-edge frontier in the quest for.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
A drone airliner lands at Abu Dhabi airport
In an age where innovation intersects with tradition, drone light shows have emerged as the.......... READ MORE
Air taxi News & Articles
The cost of China’s Ehang unmanned air taxi revealed
In a groundbreaking move that heralds a new era in urban transportation, China's Ehang has.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Role of Electric Motors in eVTOL Efficiency and Feasibility
The emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and flying cars represents a.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Evtols and the current state of self-direction
The current state of self-direction, or autonomous navigation, in eVTOLs is a fascinating convergence of.......... READ MORE
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous air mobility with EHang
In an era marked by rapid technological advances, the concept of urban mobility is undergoing.......... READ MORE
Flying Cars News & Articles
New jobs in the eVTOL and flying car era
As the eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) and flying car industry edges closer from.......... READ MORE