Did you ever wonder how it would feel to have your personal flight machine parked in front of your gates? The emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry has been working to make this dream a reality, and Rotor X, based in Chandler, Arizona, is the latest company to join the club with its Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) with an aluminium frame.
Rotor X's Dragon is a fully electric Personal Air Vehicle (PAV) with a lightweight yet sturdy aluminium chassis and a maximum capacity of 250 lbs (113 kg). It can fly for up to 20 minutes on a single charge and recharging takes less than two hours. Eight electric 16 kW motors power the Dragon and can reach a top speed of 63 mph (101 kph).
One of the standout features of the Dragon is its power system, which includes separate, independent battery packs and redundant flight controllers for managing them. It also features automatic take-off, landing, and hands-off return to hover and position hold.
It's worth noting that the Dragon doesn't come from a start-up but from an experienced manufacturer focusing on two-seat helicopter kits. This is reflected in specific elements such as the energy-absorbing helicopter landing gear and the overall design, which benefits from the company's experience with the A600 Turbo Helicopter.
Using aluminium to make the frame of Rotor X's Dragon was not optional because of the non-ferrous metal's lightweight and ductile properties. The aviation industry favours aluminium for its heat-resisting capabilities as well as its malleability. Moreover, aluminium is 100% recyclable, thus creating a closed material loop along any flagship production line, which is fundamental for a circular economy.
If you wish to learn more about the use of aluminium in the transportation department, please have a look at AL Circle's report, Future of Aluminium in the Transportation Sector.
The Dragon comes as a quick-build aircraft kit that can be assembled in just a few days, making it much easier to certify than similar kits. It's also an ultralight aircraft kit, which means that no pilot license is required to fly it.
Safety features are a top priority for Rotor X, and the Dragon is no exception. It includes a ballistic parachute, a safety cage, and redundant motors that can keep the air vehicle in hover even if two of them are not operating.
Rotor X recently completed unmanned flight tests of the pre-production prototype and is preparing for piloted flight tests next month. The Dragon is a promising addition to the AAM industry, bringing us one step closer to the possibility of personal air travel.
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