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ARC Aerosystems Unveils Plans for VTOL Gyroplane
  • 28 Mar 2023 11:21 AM
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ARC Aerosystems Unveils Plans for VTOL Gyroplane

Cranfield, UK-based ARC Aerosystems unveiled its new Linx P9 on Jan. 17. According to ARC Aerosystems (formerly Samad Aerospace), the nine-passenger VTOL aircraft will provide a “cost-effective, low-carbon solution to intercity travel.” The hybrid-electric Linx P9 is a powered autogyro configuration with twin 500-shp (375-kW) turboprop engines. The single main rotor is powered electrically for takeoff, landing and low-speed flight only, until the aircraft transitions in wingborne flight using the pusher props. ARC noted that an order-of-magnitude less power is needed to hover with a large main rotor compared to smaller fans or propellers.

According to Aviation Week, ARC intends to certificate the Linx P9 using a combination of Part 23 (airplane) and Part 27 (rotorcraft) regulations. ARC recently acquired the intellectual property for the two-place Canadian 1960s-era Avian 2/180 Gyroplane, one of the only type-certificated autogyros in the US or Canada. Depending on the payload weight, the 7,000-lb (3.2-t) Linx P9 could have a range of up to 800 miles (1,300 km). The design marks a significant change from the previous eVTOL aircraft ARC has built and flown, which include the company’s multirotor C-600 cargo and the fan-in-wing Starling series.

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