New Type of Personal Flying eVTOL

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 USAF SUCCESSFULLY TEST FLIES HEXA




                                      Source:  LIFT's HEXA

Entirely New Type of Aircraft

Austin, Texas-based LIFT Aircraft's eVTOL HEXA is an entirely new type of aircraft that the company says anyone can fly.  The electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft has been successfully test flown by the US Air Force, with whom LIFT partners.  The Air Force is exploring military application for the personal flying machine. HEXA has been specifically designed as an ultra-lightweight vehicle so that it doesn't require a pilot's license.  It's targeted at sports and recreational use, military, public safety, disaster response and first responder missions.  The company says the eVTOL can cut responder time 50% and more. The vehicle is deep into a series of flight and system testing.  The company expects to be doing thousands of flights per days within the next 3 to 5 years.

Tech Specs

Technically, HEXA is an eVTOL, multicopter, amphibious passenger aircraft.  At the moment, HEXA can fly a 250-pound person for 15 minutes and still retain 25% of its battery power. Undoubtedly the range and length of the flight will be expanded.  HeXA has 18 independent electric motors and 18 propellers: the only moving parts needed for stable and controlled flight. It is powered by batteries. Some of its key capabilities and components include:

  • Capable of land and water landings with 4 perimeter and 1 center float for buoyancy and stability
  • Triple redundant autopilot computer with a single, 3-axis joystick to fly.
  • Semi-autonomous flight control
  • No pilot's license is needed
  • Ultralight airframe composed of carbon fiber and weighs only 432 pounds
  • Cruising speed is 45 mph with a maximum cruising speed of 63 mph
  • The company says it is very safe. It cans fly and land with 6 motors disabled and has an autonomous ballistic parachute.  Also, it's equipped with sensors for collision avoidance

LIFT is using technologies from the drone industry to"democratize flight" as they put it. The vehicle can be flown by remote control, by voice control or manually flown by a pilot.

Strategic Plan and Next Steps

The company's strategy is to bring the eVTOL to market by avoiding the need for regulatory clearances. So, it is built for classification as an ultra-lightweight aircraft which requires no pilot's license or special regulatory clearances.  HEXA is not intended to serve as an air taxi operating in populated areas.  LIFT plans to build vertiports in open, unpopulated areas where people can rent and fly HEXA after pilot training provided by LIFT.  The first vertiport is scheduled to open in suburban Austin.  This is a one-of-a-kind, very innovative eVTOL with a powerful partner in the USAF and a fascinating business plan.  HEXA could be a significant part of the future of flying.  For more news stories like this, The Future of Flying

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