eJet Aerospace GJet Koan

GJet Kóan™
eJet Aerospace
Montreal, Canada
www.gjet.tech

Founded in 2005 by Raymond François CTO, and Saul Tarazona, CEO, eJet Aerospace is in the business of making electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) gyrocopters for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), air cargo and other aerial transportation missions. As of September 2021, eJet Aerospace has stated on their website they have finished their Series A funding of $100 million USD and the company is valued at $200 million USD.

The company manufacturers and sells what they call a low-cost electric turbine motor, called the Articulated Mechatronics System for Aerodynamic Propulsion and Vertical Take-off designed for Aircraft” (SMAPAD®), which can be retrofitted in most commercial aircraft. The company has patented the SMAPAD® electric turbine motor in 2013 and will be used with both its gyrocopters.

The GJet Kóan™ is a four passenger eVTOL ultralight gyrocopter with a unique futuristic airframe design with a fully enclosed cabin. The entire cockpit is a clear material allowing forward, left, right, top and bottom visibility, for excellent visibility and spectacular views. The rotorcraft has a cruise speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), a flight time of 2:15 (2 hours, 15 minutes), a range of 349 miles (562 km) with a maximum payload of 551 lb (250 kg).

The rotorcraft uses a proprietary electric motor, what eJet Aerospace calls their electric turbine motor, which is used to power the main rotorblade, rear ducted fan and all other systems in the gyrocopter. In between the cockpit and the rear box wing tail is one large rear ducted fan for forward flight. The rear pusher electric fan is completely enclosed to keep passengers and crews safe when on the ground. The aircraft has fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear to make it easy to taxi and for moving the aircraft around when on the ground.

The company has tested their 1:9 scale model with their proprietary propulsion system with excellent results. The company foresees their aircraft used in both commercial and military aerial applications and plan to sell their aircraft worldwide. As of September 2021, the company's website does not mention when full scale prototypes will be manufactured and tested, or when a target date for production might take place.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: eVTOL passenger gyrocopter
• Piloting: Unknown (the aircraft has fly-by-wire technology)
• Capacity: 4 passengers
• Cruise speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)
• Maximum speed: 233 mph (375 km/h)
• Range: 349 miles (562 km)
• Flight Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
• Ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,010 m)
• Maximum payload: 1,102 lb (500 kg)
• Empty weight: 2,646 lb (1,200 kg)
• Rotorblades: 1 main rotorblade (the rotorblade is foldable storage)
• Ducted fan: 1 rear ducted fan for forward flight
• Electric Motors: 1 electric proprietary turbine motor
• Power source: Lithium-ion batteries
• Fuselage: Aeronautical aluminum superstructure and a thermoformed polymer fuselage
• Windows: The entire cockpit is a clear material allowing forward, left, right, top and bottom visibility, for spectacular views
• Tail: Box wing
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear

Resources:

• eJet Aerospace website
• eJet Aerospace Facebook
• eJet Aerospace YouTube Channel
• eJet Aerospace Instagram
• eJet Aerospace LinkedIn
• Podcast: eVTOL Insights Podcast: Saul Tarazona of eJet Aerospace talks about its SMAPAD propulsion and eVTOL aircraft, eVTOL Insights, Mar. 25, 2021