Horizon Autocopters Autocopter (concept design)

(Image credit: Horizon AutoCopters)

Autocopter (concept design)
Horizon Autocopters Ltd
Winchester, Hampshire, United Kingdom
www.horizonautocopters.co.uk

Based in the United Kingdom, Horizon Autocopters Ltd is designing an all-electric or hybrid-electric (both options available) co-axial compound rotorcraft, with additional forward propulsion provided by a ducted fan fitted in the rear of the rotorcraft. The company is actively looking for investors.

The aircraft requires a pilot; however, the aircraft will have a semi-autonomous ability to fly a predetermined route, reducing the pilot's workload and the rotorcraft will be able to avoid any unexpected ground obstacles and other aircraft. The rotorcraft will fly level like a plane, instead of nose-down like a helicopter.

Autocopter autonomous passenger eVTOL concept design coaxial compound rotorcraft
The Autocopter is an autonomous passenger eVTOL or hybrid-electric VTOL concept design coaxial compound rotorcraft. The helicopter will be able to be powered by all batteries or have a hybrid-electric power source. The hybrid-electric power source can use multiple types of fuel. 

The cruise speed is estimated at 324-370 km/h (201-230 mph) and a predicted range of 600-1000 km (373-621 mph). Different fuselage sizes will be available allowing for two, four, six or eight people on board. The air taxi version will be offered with only four to six seats.

The aircraft will be outfitted with a joystick and other piloting controls. It will be equipped with a health and usage monitoring system, fly-by-wire flight controls and haptic flying controls. (Haptic Flying Controls: Any technology that can create an experience of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user, to virtual objects).

The battery-powered rotorcraft will have substantially lower cruise speeds and ranges than its hybrid-electric counterpart. However, not having a heavy transmission will lower the weight and complexity of the aircraft, increasing the efficiency of the all-electric rotorcraft version.

For the hybrid-electric version, the company will not be using traditional helicopter piston or turbine engines to generate electricity for the motors to power the rotorblades and the rear ducted fan. The rotorcraft will use three micro gas-turbine generators which are a component of Formula 1 race car engines. With this type of engine, the rotorcraft can use jet fuel, diesel, biofuel or synthetic jet fuel.

The company foresees the application for the aircraft for personal transport, air taxi, corporate, utility and for the military. The cost of the rotorcraft would be in the of $800 thousand to $1.2 million, depending upon the size of the aircraft.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger electric or hybrid-electric VTOL coaxial compound helicopter
• Piloting: 1 pilot and semi-autonomous capability. Once autonomous flying is approved by governments, the Autocopter will be able to fly without the aid of a pilot.
• Capacity: 2-8 people
• Cruise speed: 324-370 km/h (201-230 mph)
• Range: 600-1000 km (373-621 mph)
• Empty weight of aircraft: Up to 2 metric tons
• Rotorsblades: 2 main co-axial counter-rotating rotorblades.  (Each rotorblade is a  3-bladed co-axial rotorblade.)
• Rear fan: 1 rear ducted fan 
• Propulsion: Electric motors
• Power source: 3 high-efficiency micro gas turbines generators or batteries
• Forward flight: Rear fan propulsion system
• Wings: 2 low rear stub wings with winglets
• Tail: 1 short tail with inverted V rudders
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear
• Safety features: Three engines provides redundancy, if one engine fails, the remaining engines can land the aircraft safely. If the pilot flies into a cloud and takes his/her hands off the controls, the aircraft will fly to a safe altitude and continue to fly safely to its destination. Every aircraft will have a terrain map and will fly above all terrain at a safe altitude.

Resources:

• Horizon AutoCopters website
• Article: Formula 1 Technology Inspires British Helicopter Proposal, Aviation Week, Jan. 17, 2020