Electric VTOL aviation brings Jetsons-style flying cars closer to reality
- 7 years ago
AMERICA — Ever since the Jetson’s, we’ve all looked forward to the promise of flying cars. But it’s not just a Hollywood dream anymore.
Several companies hope to bring electric VTOL vehicles to the skies. That’s V - T - O - L … for vertical take-off and landing.
Imagine leaving the office after a long day’s work. You go to your VTOL vehicle parked on the roof of your office. Within minutes, you’re soaring above skyscrapers and busy commuter traffic.
There are no traffic jams for you. A half hour later, you’re at your luxury villa by the beach. Sound far fetched?
It’s not if you’re Google co-founder Larry Page. Page is backing Zee.Areo, which is developing an electric VTOL vehicle.
Lilium Jet is another electric VTOL craft aimed at the masses. Lilium Aviation, based in Germany, is planning a VTOL with 36 electric fans in the wings. Its aircraft would reach a maximum cruising speed of 180 miles per hour.
The S2 from Joby Aviation will get you there in style. California-based Joby says the two-seater could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
Even ride-sharing service Uber thinks one day passengers will take VTOLs to work.
Funding is also coming from DARPA, which is supporting several VTOL concepts like the Phantom Swift from Boeing. The Phantom Swift will initially use a General Electric CT7-8 engine, but there are plans to switch to an all-electric drive.
Experts caution it could be decades before VTOL aviation is fully developed. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer. The Jetsons envisioned flying cars more than 50 years ago.
Several companies hope to bring electric VTOL vehicles to the skies. That’s V - T - O - L … for vertical take-off and landing.
Imagine leaving the office after a long day’s work. You go to your VTOL vehicle parked on the roof of your office. Within minutes, you’re soaring above skyscrapers and busy commuter traffic.
There are no traffic jams for you. A half hour later, you’re at your luxury villa by the beach. Sound far fetched?
It’s not if you’re Google co-founder Larry Page. Page is backing Zee.Areo, which is developing an electric VTOL vehicle.
Lilium Jet is another electric VTOL craft aimed at the masses. Lilium Aviation, based in Germany, is planning a VTOL with 36 electric fans in the wings. Its aircraft would reach a maximum cruising speed of 180 miles per hour.
The S2 from Joby Aviation will get you there in style. California-based Joby says the two-seater could reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
Even ride-sharing service Uber thinks one day passengers will take VTOLs to work.
Funding is also coming from DARPA, which is supporting several VTOL concepts like the Phantom Swift from Boeing. The Phantom Swift will initially use a General Electric CT7-8 engine, but there are plans to switch to an all-electric drive.
Experts caution it could be decades before VTOL aviation is fully developed. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer. The Jetsons envisioned flying cars more than 50 years ago.