LEO Flight unveils alpha prototype for its jet turbine propelled eVTOL - LEO Coupe

Prashant-prabhakar

01 Jul 2022

Technically known as vertical take-off and landing aircraft, Flying Cars are touted to take off vertically from the top of a building much like a helicopter, transition to cruise mode like a conventional plane and then land vertically.

Plugavel

Flying cars have always been a subject of interest and may seem like a futuristic or sci-fi movie invention, though the idea for the flying car has been around since the 18th century.

Founded in 2020 by Pete Bitar of Electric Jet Aircraft and Carlos Salaff of SALAFF Automotive, LEO Flight has unveiled the "LEO Coupe"- an all-electric jet turbine-propelled vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) with a three-seater car design.

How is it any different from other eVTOL models out there?

Bitar and Salaff have had a desire to create a unique design- something that wouldn't resemble a fixed-wing or a rotary-wing. Reportedly, the experimental prototype LX-1 is touted to be a personal automobile for the sky that science fiction has foreseen- a personal, creative project turned into a mission to manufacture it for public use.

The LEO Coupe

The prototype doesn't display the rather dashing looks shown in earlier variants of the final LEO Coupe. Basically designed to test the propulsion system at this stage, the flying aluminium airframe features large banks of small electric jets.

1.  DARPA-funded propulsion system by Electric Jet Aircraft

LX-1 manned alpha prototype | leoflight

LEO Coupe's fully electric propulsion system is comprised of clusters of powerful electric jets, allowing safety through redundancy. Additionally, the wings also feature non-exposed rotors, eliminating the danger to those around the vehicle.

2. Highly compact with an automotive familiarity

When compared with current eVTOL designs, LEO Coupe's compact size of 10' x 20' becomes immediately apparent. This feature enables it to be privately owned, used as an air taxi and as a vehicle in any place where space is the limited and ground infrastructure is underdeveloped or non-existent.

leoflight

With compatibility like no other, it is touted to fit in most 2-car garages.

3. Exhilarating interiors

leoflight

Gull-wing doors open from the side to an airy, comfy cabin designed for three adults including the pilot. Additionally, it also features a "floating seat" for the pilot, thereby enhancing the exhilaration of the flight.

leoflight

Reportedly, the easy-to-learn semi-autonomous controls also make the flight simple.

4. Seamless travel

The hypercar also features an integrated 5G connected system, wherein users can check into or book their hotel rooms, fill up forms and documents, or arrange any travel-related agendas while enjoying the landscapes and horizons through the generous, tall windows carpeting the vehicle.

Representative | leoflight

Reportedly, the LEO Coupe can fly with a 250-mph flight speed and over one hour of flight time per charge to rapidly commute between places. The aircraft will have an empty weight of 1,100 lb (499 kg) and be able to carry a 510 lb (231 kg) payload.

LEO's compact form also makes it ideal for fire rescue, medevac, Coast Guard, tourism, exploration and most any terrain without developed road infrastructure.

5. VERTISTOP-LEO Flight's charging network

leoflight

The VertiStop unit is a compact charging and landing pad, enabled by LEO's compact size. It provides a power grid connection and fast charging for the LEO Coupe. Integral solar arrays supplement energy needs. The mesh top will help absorb air currents from LEO's jet system. The simplicity and integrated design of the VertiStop unit make it easy to install and use, quickly making once-neglected rooftop spaces into a fast-charging network.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuEanDKxuBs

Dubbed as a "personal automobile" for the skies, it comes with a price tag of $459,900.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: eVTOL News

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IIT Delhi startup performs a drone light show at Djibouti Independence Day

Radhika Bansal

01 Jul 2022

Botlab Dynamics, the IIT Delhi incubated drone startup that lit up Raisina Hill skies this Beating Retreat with a dazzling 1,000-drone light show, organised a similar event in Djibouti for the East African country’s 45th independence day on June 26.

Indian drone ecosystem companies have started beating their much bigger international counterparts by following the time-tested Indian IT industry model — offering a better service or service at highly competitive prices.

“We competed with a French company for the event. Our quotation for organising an event with 800 drones matched the price offered by the French firm for a light show with 300 drones.We are getting several inquiries for organising drone light shows in the UAE and Maldives. Globally it costs USD 4-5 lakh for organising such an event."Sarita Ahlawat, Co-Founder, Botlab Dynamics

The company says this was the largest drone light show to be held in Africa so far.

Apart from competitive costing, the Indian company could offer more formations (iterations as they are known technically) that the government of Djibouti liked. After emerging as the winning team, it sent 23 staffers from Delhi for the event.

https://twitter.com/BotLabDynamics/status/1541363367600095232

The Beating Retreat drone show in Delhi where almost 30 iterations were created was witnessed by diplomats in India who had subsequently tweeted about the same due to which governments abroad got to know about the quality of the same.

A startup of two young IIT Delhi techies, Botlab Dynamics had dazzled onlookers at the grounds of their alma mater in one of the first drone light shows in the capital in September 2021.

A startup of two young IIT Delhi techies, Botlab Dynamics had dazzled onlookers at the grounds of their alma mater in one of the first drone light shows in the capital in September 2021.

A single computer on the ground controls these autonomous drones as they changed their colours, shades and shapes to create formations like tricolours, human DNA and a vessel.

All the three critical components of a drone — flight control (its “brain”), GPS for precision position and motor control to determine rotor spin — are indigenously made by Botlab. Drone light shows are usually 8-10 minutes long during which they create 6-8 formations at an altitude of 50 metres.

https://twitter.com/indiaindjibouti/status/1541357577514237953

The recent Tokyo Olympics had a drone light show by Intel where our planet earth floated gently above through a formation of 1,824 premium drones.

Joe Biden-Kamal Harris victory was celebrated by a grand drone light show. Now Indian companies are getting on this bandwagon in a big way. Clearly, it’s time for lasers to make way for drone light shows as the new king of pyrotechnics.

(With Inputs from The Times of India)

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Bangalore International Airport surpasses 250 million passenger count

Radhika Bansal

30 Jun 2022

Bangalore international airport has crossed the 250-million passenger mark in its 15th year of establishment in addition to handling 2-million aircraft movements during the period on June 25, BIAL said on Wednesday, June 29.

The airport, which is now managed and operated by the Canadian NRI Prem Watsa-owned Fairfax, commenced operations in May 2008.

https://twitter.com/BLRAirport/status/1542111087201775616

“Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru has achieved a significant milestone by crossing the 250 million passenger mark since the launch of its operations or Airport Opening Day (AOD), during the last weekend of June 2022,'' Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) said in a statement.

It said an additional 50 million passengers travelled from the airport in a span of nearly three years despite the pandemic and consequential slowdown.

Furthermore, the facility also achieved the milestone of 2 million Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) since AOD, making it the fastest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) airport in South India to achieve this milestone, as per BIAL.

Stating that the feat has been achieved on the back of the addition of new carriers in conjunction with the introduction of new routes and rising passenger numbers on existing, BIAL said that the pandemic has meant that traffic growth over the past two years has been slower than usual, Bangalore International Airport a has historically grown very fast.

''Reaching the 250 million milestones reassures us that our customer-centric approach, innovation and technically advanced infrastructure, in conjunction with the introduction of new routes and working closely with our airline partners and other stakeholders have led to consistent growth.”Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL)

Meanwhile, the BIAL has opened an ultra-luxurious travellers lounge - 080 - to enhance the experience of both domestic and international travellers. The lounge is seen as a significant step by the airport operator to deliver the highest standards of traveller experience at the airport.

The airport has also installed 10 Emergency Oxygen Generators for passengers and airport staff, to provide life-saving support during medical emergencies.

BIAL has opened an ultra-luxurious travellers lounge - 080 - to enhance the experience of both domestic and international travellers.

The timely availability of emergency oxygen at the Departures and Arrivals area could help those experiencing heart attacks, breathlessness, or even fainting.

"This provides 99.7% pure medical-grade oxygen for up to 40 minutes, offering sufficient support until the affected person reaches the hospital," a BIAL release said.

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India's booming aviation market to be the focus of ANA & Singapore Airlines' JV

Radhika Bansal

30 Jun 2022

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) believes its potential joint venture (JV) with Singapore Airlines (SIA) can help it tap the booming Indian market. 

The JV was announced in January 2020 and is subject to regulatory approvals. Both carriers are Star Alliance members.

The joint venture agreement is set to focus on services outside of the Japan and Singapore home markets. The changes should instead affect ‘key markets’ in the wider Asian region, such as Australia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

India's booming aviation market to be the focus of ANA & Singapore Airlines' JV

Both airlines are Star Alliance members and also have an existing codeshare agreement in place. The existing deal focuses on connecting flights, codeshare flights, lounge access and baggage connections on main routes.

Jun Miyagawa, ANA’s executive VP for alliance and international affairs, told Aviation Week Network that the India market is part of the JV’s scope.

Miyagawa said ANA has focused on the strong China-US transit market over the last 20 years, but this has disappeared following Beijing’s protracted border closure because of the pandemic. 

ANA is now looking at India as a promising transit market and hoping to tap into SIA’s network there. SIA is a major shareholder in Indian airline Vistara Airlines, holding 49%. 

ANA is now looking at India as a promising transit market and hoping to tap into SIA’s network there.

ANA currently does not have a codeshare agreement with Air India, also a Star Alliance member. ANA has been part of JV arrangements with United Airlines and Lufthansa Group since 2011 and 2012, respectively, but does not have a JV partner in Asia. 

“Therefore the JV with Singapore Airlines is key and we hope we can learn from its high service standards and strong business model,” Miyagawa said. ANA’s new long-haul “hybrid carrier” Air Japan will not be part of the JV.

ALSO READ - Singapore Airlines intends to increase flights to India amid strong travel recovery

(With Inputs from RoutesOnline)

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Delhi Airport resumes trial of full-body security scanners at T2

Radhika Bansal

30 Jun 2022

The Delhi airport started conducting trials of a full-body scanner, which detects objects on passengers without any pat-down search, at its Terminal 2 on Tuesday, June 28.

“Full-body scanners can detect non-metal objects, which are hard to detect with the conventional door frame metal detector,” Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said in a statement. DIAL has installed a full-body scanner at the security check area for trials.

“The trials would be conducted on a real-time basis i.e. passengers would have to pass through it during their security check before moving to the security hold area,” the statement said.

https://twitter.com/DelhiAirport/status/1542121295764402177

Aviation security regulator BCAS had in April 2019 directed 84 hypersensitive and sensitive airports — including the Delhi airport — in India to install body scanners by March 2020, replacing existing door frame metal detectors, hand-held scanners and pat-down searches of passengers to detect metallic objects.

“Walk-through metal detectors and hand-held metal detectors cannot detect non-metallic weapons and explosives,” BCAS had said. “Body scanners detect both metallic and non-metallic items concealed on the body.”

The Airports Authority of India had in 2020 issued a tender to procure 198 body scanners for 63 airports following a circular to the effect by the BCAS, but the civil aviation ministry approved buying only 98.

Aviation security regulator BCAS had in April 2019 directed 84 hypersensitive and sensitive airports — including the Delhi airport — in India to install body scanners by March 2020

The trials of a full-body scanner at the Delhi airport would be carried out for a period of 45 to 60 days, the statement said.

A full-body scanner is used to detect objects without making physical contact with or breaching the privacy of passengers. Officials said full-body scanners can detect non-metal objects, which are hard to detect with the conventional door frame metal detector (DFMD). Each scanner is expected to cost around USD 4 crore, including annual maintenance.

“During this period, feedback of all the stakeholders – the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the airport operator DIAL, and passengers -would be taken, examined, and evaluated,” it said.

The trials of a full-body scanner at the Delhi airport's T2 would be carried out for a period of 45 to 60 days

Upon completion of trials, the findings would be shared with regulatory bodies for evaluation and the further course of action would be decided accordingly.

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said as an airport operator, DIAL had constantly been working to facilitate easy boarding for passengers, without compromising on security and safety.

“The safety and security of civil aviation is a major concern for all. The CISF has been doing a tremendous job. Now, we have deployed an advanced full-body scanner at the airport, It will not invade passengers’ privacy during security checks and will hardly have any impact on their health. After successful completion of trials, and evaluation of results, DIAL will install more such scanners as per the BCAS directive."Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)

By using these body scanners, officials said they can reduce the number of random pat-downs and strip searches, thereby speeding up security checks. Door-frame metal detectors will, meanwhile, remain in place for special category passengers such as those who are wheelchair-bound or those who cannot physically pass through the full-body scanners.

Body scanners have been under consideration for more than a decade in India, however, concerns related to privacy, radiation, and false alarms have kept them away from being installed at the airports.

The advanced scanner takes care of passengers’ privacy and hardly has any impact on their health

During the first trials held in December 2016, the body scanners raised false alarms whenever a woman wearing a sari passed through it. In most of the cases, it was found that it was either the mangalsutra (a traditional piece of jewellery that married Indian women wear) or the metallic embroidery on her saree.

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The advanced scanner takes care of passengers’ privacy and hardly has any impact on their health. However, conventional detectors will be used at IGIA for special category flyers like those who are wheelchair-bound or cannot physically pass through full-body scanners.

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Vertiports - the key to UAM/AAM infrastructure | How are they different from heliports?

Prashant-prabhakar

30 Jun 2022

A recent study by NASA stated that there could be as many as 500 million drone delivery flights and nearly 750 million air taxi flights annually by 2030.

2021 had been a significant year for the AAM industry as we saw record millions being poured in as investments - just this year, Wisk Aero received $450 million from Boeing to develop eVTOL aircraft and Lockheed Martin Ventures invested in Electra.aero - a pioneer in the development of hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft. These are just to name a few.

Representative | eVTOL

While all these sound great, keeping the aspect of safety aside, do we really have the appropriate infrastructure to handle these vehicles and their operations?

A lot of other variables need to be factored in with regards to air management systems, security protocols, emergency services, and regulatory frameworks as well, that would support safe, affordable, sustainable flights.

Business leaders, engineers, designers, regulators, and all other concerned parties will have to collaborate to ensure the safe and seamless integration of AAM with existing infrastructure.

Bringing the public and private sectors together is crucial  “because the public sector, in the end, is going to want to use these systems. New corridors are emerging, whether it’s for a 55-pound drone carrying medical supplies or cargo-carrying type aircraft that are heavier.Said Lisa Peterson, VP of Business Development at Airspace Link at a recent Commercial UAV News webinar

Vertiports are the basic enablers of Urban and Advanced Air Mobility (UAM/AAM), facilitating the movement of people and goods more rapidly and efficiently than traditional transport infrastructures.

Air One Vertiport- World's first Vertiport in Coventry, UK | Representative | FLYING Magazine

"Vertistops" is yet another term coined and they would serve only for drop-off and pickups, while vertiports would be somewhere where the aircraft could recharge (electric aircraft), refuel (hydrogen aircraft), and pass through maintenance.

How are they different from heliports?

A heliport is a small airport suitable for helicopter use and some other vertical lift aircraft. Designated heliports typically contain one or more touchdown and liftoff areas and may also have limited facilities such as fuel or hangars.

EASA issues the world's first design specifications for vertiports

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has published the world’s first guidance for the design of vertiports and the ground infrastructure needed for the safe operation of Urban Air Mobility services such as air taxis in locations across Europe, including in urban areas.

Urban air mobility is a completely new field of aviation and we therefore have a unique opportunity to develop a set of infrastructure requirements from scratch. With the world’s first guidance for safe vertiport operations, EASA’s ambition is to provide our stakeholders with the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to safe vertiport design and operational frameworks. By harmonising design and operational standards for vertiports we will support European industry, who are already starting to embark on exciting projects in Europe and around the world to make new urban air mobility a realityPatrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA said

Representative | easa.europe

One notable innovation is the concept of a funnel-shaped area above the vertiport, designated as an “obstacle-free volume”. This concept is tailored to the operational capabilities of the new VTOL aircraft, which can perform landing and take-off with a significant vertical segment.

Depending on the urban environment and on the performance of certain VTOL-capable aircraft, omnidirectional trajectories to vertiports will be also possible. Such approaches can more easily take account of environmental and noise restrictions and are more suitable for an urban environment than conventional heliport operations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_fsxgWIENI&list=PLTfS24aKkJn63dwU2mF0nX4kjUtr9QFeU&index=6

EASA | Youtube

Heliports-how are they any different?

Regulators calculate the size of a heliport by using the rotor diameter to calculate the Touch-Down and Lift-Off area (TLOF), the Final Approach and Take-Off area (FATO), and the safety area—a defined area surrounding the FATO intended to reduce the risk of damage to aircraft accidentally diverging from the FATO.

Canadianaam

 AAM VTOL aircraft, being different from helicopters, regulators will probably use the maximum dimension of the VTOL rather than the rotor diameter to calculate the size of the vertiports.

Representative | eVTOL

A lot goes into the designing of vertiports because of their dynamic operations. Vertiports would require charging ports and hence one key consideration is access to electricity. Handling multiple eVTOLS would require vertiports to have their substation. That said, building substations could be trickier and harder than ‘gas stations'.

Helicopters, on the other hand, aren't electric and hence that eliminates the need for access to electricity/charging points. A heliport has support facilities such as fuel, "hangaring" and attendants.

Elevated rooftop helipads and heliports | Representative | Aluminium Offshore

All international standards have space requirements (both on land and in the air) for an obstacle-free area for the aircraft to land and takeoff. The standards for touchdown area sizes (the pad itself) are generally predicated on the size of the aircraft landing gear footprint or the rotor diameter.

The obstacle-clear areas surrounding the touchdown area are generally determined by a multiplier of the aircraft’s overall length or rotor system size. They can vary from an open area of 64? x 64? for a small two-seat helicopter to 109? x 109? for a medium twin-engine helicopter and up to several acres for facilities serving multiple aircraft.

How safe are heliports or vertiports?

Safety is paramount in aviation. The FAA, with its data and that of the National Transportation Safety Board, conducted a study that calculated that an accident had the frequency of occurring once every 432 years - this was done by looking at the relative risk a community had about a helicopter landing area.

Representative | eUAS News

Summarizing, it could be said that vertiports and heliports are stopping points for VTOL aircraft. Ideally, they would be located on top of buildings, open areas, or airports. Both can serve as a quick-stops-loading and unloading, or as a longer stay for recharging (electric aircraft), refuelling (hydrogen or fossil fuels aircraft) and maintenance.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: American Aerospace

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