Jantschke Megacity Aviation (concept design)

Megacity Aviation (concept design)
Alexander Jantschke
Munich, Germany
www.ilikeyourdsign.blogspot.com

In the ever-expanding urban landscapes of the 21st century, ground transportation has become a pressing challenge. As cities continue to grow, the need for efficient and sustainable modes of transportation has become paramount. Addressing this demand in 2012 in Germany, the visionary industrial designer Alexander Jantschke conceptualized a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) concept design aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM).

The Megacity Aviation is a highly maneuverable one passenger hybrid-electric VTOL concept design aircraft that is about the same size as a Mini Cooper automobile. The Megacity Aviation concept aircraft was designed to transport passengers or goods rapidly through cities with major gridlock. The estimated cruise speed is 209 km/h (130 mph) with a maximum payload of 200 kg (440 lb). The aircraft has two main ducted propeller housings, each housing holding two propellers. The aircraft has a total of four propellers and four electric motors powering the propellers. The aircraft uses a hybrid-electric power source such as a turbine engine or hydrogen fuel cells.

The cockpit has a removable canopy providing excellent views for the pilot. The fuselage was envisioned to be made of light weight biofiber reinforced bioplastic to keep the empty weight of the aircraft as strong and light as possible. The are two vertical stabilizers on the lower sides of the front of the fuselage and one smaller stabilizer towards the middle rear and under of the fuselage which are also double as tricycle landing gear.

Jantschke designed the aircraft to reduce its complexity which means the initial cost of the aircraft is lower, maintenance costs of the aircraft is reduced, there is less time needed to maintain the aircraft, the weight of the aircraft is lower, reliability of the aircraft increases and safety is increased.

Due to the small size of the aircraft, it can take off and land using existing infrastructure such as parking lots and rooftops, making the aircraft highly adaptable for urban environments. Safety is a top priority in the design of the Megacity Aviation VTOL aircraft as it incorporates redundant systems and advanced flight control technologies to ensure a high level of reliability. In the event of a technical malfunction, the aircraft's robust safety features enable it to execute a safe emergency landing.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Hybrid-electric VTOL passenger (or cargo) concept design aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot
• Estimated cruise speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)
• Maximum payload: 200 kg (440 lb)
• Propellers: 4 propellers
• Electric motors: 4 electric motors
• Power source: Hybrid-electric power source
• Fuselage: Light weight biofiber reinforced bioplastic airframe
• Window: Removable canopy over cockpit
• Vertical stabilizers: Two vertical stabilizer in the front of the aircraft and one smaller stabilizer in the rear of the aircraft are also used as landing gear
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle landing struts
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft.

Resources:

• Alexander Jantschke website
• Yanko Design Urban Jungle Aircraft web page
• Alexander Jantschke LinkedIn
• Article: Megacity Concept, SP's Airbuz, Issue 1, 2012
• Article: Megacity Aviation Personal Aircraft Perfect for Flying on Pandora, technabob, Jan. 14, 2012