Air One: 16 hours of training will be enough
At the Kentucky Derby, Israeli Air has unveiled a full-size prototype of its two-seater eVTOL Air One. The Air One is a coaxial octocopter with two seats next to each other in a panoramic glass cabin.
The eight electric motors can deliver a maximum output of 771 horsepower (575 kW) to its three-bladed propellers, which allows a maximum payload of 200 kg.
Despite its striking wings, One does not have a dedicated travel regime. There is no front propulsion and the wings are tilted at an angle that allows them to lift when the aircraft is tilted forward.
As a result, flight dynamics are relatively simple, pilots should only need about 16 hours of training. However, this will be reflected in lower speeds, Air says that eVTOL will move at a speed of 161 km / h and its maximum speed is 250 km / h.
However, range and endurance are very impressive for a manned multi-copter - Air states an hour of flight and a range of up to 177 km. Fast charging allows you to charge from 0 to 100 percent in just one hour.
After flight tests of several prototypes at a 60-percent scale, a full-size prototype is now available, and flight tests will begin in the coming months.
According to the company's timetable, manned tests will be conducted in the third quarter of this year, "prototype certification" will begin in 2023, and the first deliveries to customers will be made in 2024.
Air does not present its eVTOL as an air taxi, but as a personal pleasure machine that can enter and leave the garage or be transported on a trailer thanks to the wheels and folding wings, if you do not have land from which you could start directly.
