Self-piloted flying taxis take a step closer to reality as Airbus tests propulsion system
CityAirbus’s first full test flight is set to take place as early as next year.
Airbus has completed its first full-scale testing for the propulsion system of what looks like a multi-passenger flying taxi.
The French aeronautics company’s concept vehicle, the CityAirbus, is being touted as the self-piloted, electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) transportation system for the masses.
The project was announced last year and, if successful, could see the vehicle carry up to four passengers and fly over congested cities with a cruising speed of 75mph in what the company claims to be an environmentally friendly way.
The full-scale testing involved checking the performance of the vehicle’s two propellers – electric 100 KW Siemens motors and electrical systems.
The first full test flight is scheduled for the end of 2018 but only after the prototype CityAirbus has been tested on the ground.
Once the engineers are confident the aircraft can be used by the public, the CityAirbus will fly with a pilot “to ease certification and public acceptance” before going fully automatic.
“We now have a better understanding of the performance of CityAirbus’s innovative electric propulsion system, which we will continue to mature through rigorous testing while beginning the assembly of the full-scale CityAirbus flight demonstrator,” said Marius Bebesel, CityAirbus’s chief engineer.
