| CityAirbus | |
|---|---|
 Updated configuration in September 2021: main wing with six ductless rotors, twin boom tail with two control rotors | |
| General information | |
| Type | Electric aircraft project |
| National origin | Multinational |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters |
| Status | Under development |
| History | |
| First flight | May 3, 2019; 6 years ago (2019-05-03)[1] |
TheAirbus CityAirbus is a multinational project byAirbus Helicopters to produce an electrically poweredVTOLpersonal air vehicle demonstrator. It is intended for theair taxi role, to avoid groundtraffic congestion.[2]
The CityAirbus follows other Airbus Urban Air Mobility initiatives:Skyways to deliver packages byUAVs on theNational University of Singapore campus, theA³ Vahana single-passenger, self-piloted VTOL aircraft and theA³ Voom on-demand shared helicopter booking service app byAirbus.[2]
A 2015 feasibility study confirmed the design's operating costs and that it could meet safety requirements.Full-scale testing of the ducted propeller drivetrain was completed in October 2017.Type certification and commercial introduction are planned for 2023.[3]
Theiron bird systems test prototype was completed and powered on in December 2017 on atest bench inTaufkirchen,Germany, to test the propulsion system chain, flight controls and propeller dynamic loads, verifying the electric, mechanical and thermal dynamics before being installed on the flight demonstrator by mid-2018.[4]
The first structural parts for the demonstrator were produced by Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft's first uncrewed flight was on 3 May 2019.[1] Crewed flights have been planned for 2019.[5] 31 August 2020 the CityAirbus demonstrator moved fromDonauwörth toManching nearIngolstadt inBavaria.[6]
After 242 flights over 1,000 km (540 nmi) in total with the Vahana and CityAirbus demonstrators, Airbus updated the CityAirbus project in September 2021.[7] The new configuration boasts afixed wing, aV-tail, and eight electric propellers without moving surfaces or tilting parts.[7] It should carry up to four passengers over 80 km (43 nmi) at 120 km/h (65 kn) withsound levels below 65 dB(A) during fly-over and below 70 dB(A) during landing.[7] First flight is planned for 2023 and certification is expected around 2025.[7] As of mid-2025, one test flight has been advertised.[8]
EASA is already working on aspecial condition VTOL (SC VTOL) means of compliance (MOC) to certify eVTOL aircraft. The final version of the MOC for eVTOLs will use newly developedEurocae standards. The second flight control computer will be developed in collaboration withDiehl Aviation andThales.[9]
Themultirotor is intended to carry four passengers, with a pilot initially and to become self-piloted when regulations allow.The overall system is being developed in Donauwörth, with the electrical propulsion system built inOttobrunn/Munich.The use of fourducted fans contribute to safety and low acoustic footprint.The fully integrated drivetrain has eight propellers and eight 100 kW (130 hp)Siemens SP200D direct-driveelectric motors.The fixed pitch propellers are controlled by theirRPM.The fourelectric batteries total 110 kWh (400 MJ), weigh 500 kg[10] and can produce a combined output four times 140 kW (190 hp). The design should cruise at 120 km/h (65 kn) on fixed routes with 15 minutes endurance.[3]
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Data from Electric VTOL News[11]
General characteristics
Performance