In October 2011, inventor and physicist Thomas Senkel gained widespread attention with a video showcasing his first and only test flight of a 16-rotor helicopter named Multicopter 1. The European start-up e-volo, responsible for the experimental personal aviation craft, has since unveiled a new “volocopter” design featuring two additional rotors, a serial hybrid drive, and plans to eventually transition to 100 percent battery power.
The updated design incorporates 1.8-meter, 0.5-kilogram carbon-fiber blades paired with motors arranged in two concentric circles around a one- or two-person cockpit. The concept has received recognition for its innovation, safety, energy efficiency, and simplicity, earning a Lindbergh Prize for Innovation in April.
By eliminating traditional helicopter components like the main rotor, transmission, and tail rotor, e-volo has enhanced safety and efficiency in the volocopter design. The craft’s multiple rotor blades provide redundancy and reduce energy loss, with a serial-hybrid system combining a gas-fueled engine and electric motors powered by lithium batteries.
The volocopter’s maneuverability relies on adjusting the speed of individual rotors, controlled by redundant microcontrollers interpreting pilot commands. While the unconventional design may evoke skepticism, e-volo assures that the volocopter is a safe and viable flying machine.
The latest prototype of the volocopter is set to debut in the near future, with production models expected to achieve speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour and fly for at least an hour. Despite the promising advancements, regulatory hurdles remain a challenge for the widespread adoption of this innovative aircraft. Pesawat juga harus memiliki berat tidak lebih dari 450 kilogram untuk tetap berada dalam kategori ultralight, yang juga tunduk pada sedikit regulasi penerbangan pemerintah, menurut Senkel.
Wulff dari Yayasan Lindbergh mengatakan para juri organisasi merasa e-volo memiliki “lebih dari 50 persen peluang untuk berhasil, atau mereka tidak akan memberi mereka penghargaan inovasi.” Ketika ditanya apakah dia akan mendaftar untuk terbang suatu hari nanti, dia mengatakan, “Saya pasti akan. Itu terlihat sangat meyakinkan bagi saya.”
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