The development of the CityAirbus VTOL demonstrator is moving forward, Airbus said in a news release this week. The first structural parts are complete and will soon be assembled. The ground-test facility in Germany is also complete, which will enable Airbus engineers to verify the electric propulsion system. The facility can test the system’s components, from flight controls to the dynamic loads of the propellers. After passing those tests, the propulsion system will be installed on the demonstrator by next summer, Airbus said.
The CityAirbus aircraft itself is also progressing. The first structural parts have been produced and will soon be assembled, the company said. The CityAirbus is a battery-powered, four-seat VTOL vehicle designed to provide fast, affordable and environmentally friendly transport in urban areas. The VTOL will be designed to fly on fixed routes with a cruising speed of about 65 knots. The test aircraft will be remotely piloted at first; later, a test pilot will be on board. When the aircraft begins operations in 2023, Airbus says, it will initially be operated by a pilot “to ease certification and public acceptance,” but the goal is to provide fully autonomous operations. The program is on track for a first flight next year.
