MEVA Aerospace MEVA X-2 (production aircraft)

(MEVA X-1. Image credit: MEVA Aerospace)

MEVA X-2 (production aircraft)
MEVA Aerospace sp z o.o.
Lublin, Poland
www.meva.aero

MEVA Aerospace was founded in Lublin, Poland, in 2023 by four co-founders: Paweł Adamczuk, Mikołaj Gruszewski, Daniel Płatek, and Tomasz Wojdała, with the goal of developing the first Polish passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for Innovative Air Mobility (IAM). (In the USA, its called Advanced Air Mobility or AAM.) The company's journey started by dividing the project into two phases: 1) The technology demonstrator phase which has already been completed and 2) The production aircraft phase which the company is currently beginning (as of 2024). Also in 2024, the MEVA Aerospace's team consists of 17 professionals and is constantly evolving. (The image above is of the MEVA X-1 concept design aircraft. The MEVA X-2 illustrations have not been released by the company yet.)

To further the company's research and development efforts, they have entered into a strategic partnership with the Polish Air Force University. This collaboration provides the company with access to advanced research facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, wind tunnels and simulation equipment. Additionally, working with leading experts and researchers at the University enhances the company's capabilities and accelerates their progress.

MEVA X-2 passenger eVTOL planned production aircraft
The MEVA X-2 is a full-scale five to seven passenger eVTOL planned production aircraft that is currently in development. The aircraft has one pilot, from four to six passengers, room for luggage, has a very modern and sleek design, has windows allowing forward, left, right and upward visibility, and is powered by a hybrid-electric power source. The MEVA X-2 production aircraft illustration has not been made available to the public.

While the expected cruise speed has not been revealed, the estimated range is greater than 800 kilometers (>500 miles). The aircraft will have eight VTOL propellers (that are stacked), have one pusher propeller, nine electric motors and have a hybrid-electric power source. The production aircraft will be made from carbon fiber composite for a high strength and low weight ratio.

As the hybrid-electric power source will include batteries, the company foresees the aircraft to takeoff and and land using battery-only power to keep the aircraft as quiet as possible during this portion of the flight. Also, the aircraft is expected to use battery-only power when flying short distances. Then when long-range travel is required, the aircraft can use its low emissions generator.

Safety features include Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), meaning having multiple propellers, electric ducted fans, multiple electric motors and multiple batteries. If any of these componsents stop working, the other propellers and components will still be able to land the aircraft safetly. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight and the reverse which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Subscale Prototype
MEVA Aerospace has already assembled four subscale X-1 prototypes (1:5 scale) and has had unthethered outdoor test flights and wind tunnel testing. The wingspan of the prototype is approximately 2.4 meters (6 ft, 8.3 in). The company conducted flight tests to confirm some of the previously calculated characteristics.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL production aircraft
• Piloting: 1 pilot
• Capacity: 4 to 6 passengers plus luggage
• Cruise speed: Unknown
• Range, estimated: >800 km (>500 m)
• Empty weight: Unknown
• Propellers: 8 propellers (these are stacked propellers, 2 propellers per stack), 1 pusher propeller
• Electric motors: 9 electric motors
• Power source: Hybrid-electric power source
• Fuselage: Carbon fiber composite
• Windows: To be determined
• Wings: To be determined
• Tail: To be determined
• Landing gear: Retractable tricycle wheeled landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) means having multiple propellers (or electric ducted fans) and multiple electric motors on an aircraft so if one or more propellers (or electric ducted fans) or some electric motors fail, the other working propellers (or electric ducted fans) and electric motors can safely land the aircraft. DEP provides safety through redundancy for passengers or cargo. There are also redundancies of critical components in the sub-systems of the aircraft providing safety through redundancy. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. The aircraft has no moving surfaces or tilting parts when transitioning from vertical to forward flight and the reverse which increases safety by reducing complexity.

Related Aircraft:

• MEVA Aerospace MEVA X-1 (technology demonstrator)

Resources:

• MEVA Aerospace website