Page 40 - Plastics Nuews October 2017

Airbus completes first full-scale testing of cityairbus flying

taxis

he concept of a flying taxi may not seem as farfetched as significantly contributes to safety and low acoustic
Tis once was. Airbus helicopters has just announced the footprint. ‘we now have a better understanding of the
completion of its first full-scale testing for the propulsion performance of cityairbus’ innovative electric propulsion
system of the cityairbus demonstrator – a multi-passenger, system, which we will continue to mature through rigorous
self-piloted electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle testing while beginning the assembly of the full-scale
designed for urban air mobility. Throughout the testing cityairbus flight demonstrator’ explains marius bebesel,
period, the skilled team at cityairbus meticulously checked cityairbus chief engineer. It will be initially operated by a
the individual performance of the ducted propellers, as pilot to ease certification and public acceptance, paving
well as the integration of the full-scale propulsion unit the way to future fully-autonomous operations.
with two propellers, electric 100 KW Siemens motors and In the first half of the coming year, the development team
all electrical systems. expects to reach the ‘power on’ milestone, meaning that
Designed to carry up to four passengers, powered all motors and electric systems will be switched on for the
entirely by batteries, and capable of vertical take-off and first time scheduled for the end of 2018.The cityairbus is
landing, the vehicle is propelled by four-ducted propeller designed to carry passengers over congested megacities
configuration. The cityairbus is a battery-powered air to destinations such as airports or train stations in a fast,
vehicle able to vertically take off and land. It is designed affordable and environmentally-friendly way
to carry up to four passengers over congested megacities ‘Innovation has always been a part of airbus’ DNA and is
to important destinations such as airports or train stations crucial to keeping airbus at the forefront of the aerospace
in a fast, affordable and environmentally-friendly way. industry,’ says luo gang, CEO of airbus’ new innovation
The innovative four-ducted propeller configuration centre

Plastics News | Octob er 2017 40