M. Keßler, B. Annighöfer, W. Fichter, M. Frangenberg, W. Granig, H. Haas, B. Lüttig, R. Stärz, A. Strohmayer

Air taxis have been in a highly dynamic development phase for the last few years. Many configurations exhibit a multicopter layout, between 4 and 18 propellers for lift generation. Although favorable for its VTOL capability, the concept is not optimal for long range and endurance, with unknown limits. For our project study, we considered a specific mission: Moving a single human across the English Channel. Our question is, whether this goal would be achievable with a battery electric drivetrain, and what design constraints and operational boundary conditions need to be considered. For range extension, cruise lift from additional wings proved beneficial, and the result for optimal target speed was quite high, even for this multicopter configuration. In addition to aeromechanics, flight mechanics and stability issues of the aircraft, structural design matters, pilot interface, and power management were considered. Hardware components were built, tested and integrated into an "Iron Bird" demonstrator. Furthermore, for pilot interface development a moving simulator platform was built. Unfortunately, permit to manned flight proved to be the most challenging task, with no definitive solution yet.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2022, Dresden

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn, 2022

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 10 Seiten

urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022102815491155839118

10.25967/570141

eVTOL, Drehflügler

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Keßler, M.; Annighöfer, B.; et al. (2022): Feasibility Study for a Manned Electric Multicopter crossing the English Channel. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V.. (Text). https://doi.org/10.25967/570141. urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022102815491155839118.

28.10.2022