Tue, Jul 27, 2021
Offers A Proposed Cruising Speed Of 300 MPH And A Range Of 800 Miles
SAMAD Aerospace has completed hover tests for its second prototype eVTOL eStarling aircraft.
Designed for intercity transport, the eStarling aircraft will reportedly combine a helicopter’s vertical ability to take off and land from almost anywhere, with the speed and range of a business jet.
The eStarling boasts a semi blended wing body (BWB) design and is powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With a proposed cruising speed of 300 MPH and a range of 800 Miles, the eStarling will transport passengers ‘helipad-helipad’ avoiding the need to travel to and from airports.
Previous testing has developed conventional take-off and landing of the prototype. Recent tethered hover tests followed by full hover tests demonstrated a nagile and stable prototype with hovering and helicopter moves.
This month’s hover tests were performed over a crane system, and they focused on the validation of the flight control system in hovering mode. The aircraft consumed 65% of the available power to take off and hover with a healthy power surplus for adverse weather conditions.
Speaking from his UK Head Office at Cranfield Technology Park, Dr. Seyed Mohseni, CEO of SAMAD Aerospace, said: “The importance of these recent flight tests is the initial validation of autopilot that has been developed by the SAMAD Aerospace team.”
Available to pre-order now for delivery in 2026, it is hoped that the eStarling will reduce total travel time by utilising locations much closer to the customer’s point of departure and destination, including remote locations.
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