Freedom Transports Zero G eCruzer

Zero G eCruzer
Freedom Transports, Inc.  
Camarillo, California, USA

Former airline pilot Darius Sharifzadeh and former co-owner of the now defunct Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures Inc. (sold in 2004) was instrumental in making the Jetcruzer corporate jet; its identifying features included a single turboprop pusher propeller, canard wings and rear swept wings with winglets. The Jetcruzer aircraft made aviation history because it achieved a spin resistance certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Sharifzadeh is back again and has created the Zero G eCruzer six to eight passenger hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft for clean, intercity (between two cities) air travel. He has been working on the Zero G eCruzer aircraft project since June 2019. There are multiple safety features of the aircraft such as having fly-by-wire control technology, with conventional flight controls for added redundancy. The ducted fans will also have particle separators to keep any foreign debris from clogging the fans. There will be two electric motors in each motor nacelle in tandem, for redundancy. The Zero G eCruzer has weather protection systems beyond FAA requirements and has more safety features as well.

The interior of the aircraft will be similar to the inside of a corporate jet with the exception of being quieter than a petroleum powered turbine jet aircraft. The aircraft has the sleek corporate jet look yet is a 100% clean electrically powered aircraft. The aircraft has an estimated cruise speed of 420 mph (676 km/h) and an estimated range of 1,726 m (2,778 km). As battery technology gets better, this will improve the performance of the aircraft without adding any weight. 

The aircraft has unique rotating nozzles for VTOL and forward flight which are reminiscent of the military Harrier Jump Jet with its rotating jet nozzles used for vertical and forward flight. The Zero G eCruzer aircraft's rotating nozzles will allow stable VTOL flight, a smooth transition between VTOL and normal flight, and will also allow very fast forward flight. From a distance or if one is not looking that carefully, it will be difficult to distinguish this green aircraft from a petroleum guzzling private jet. 

The aircraft will work well at airports, helipads and unprepared landing areas such as a large parking lot, due to its unique VTOL mechanical design. This hybrid-electric VTOL jet aircraft will be valuable to anyone who wants clean and fuel efficient electric and fast jet travel between two cities or who need fast flights from an urban city to rural and remote areas (and the reverse). 

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Hybrid-electric VTOL corporate jet aircraft
• Piloting: Unknown
• Capacity:  6-8 passengers
• Cruise speed: 420 mph (676 km/h)
• Range: 1,726 m (2,778 km)
• Ducted fans: 4 ducted fans with tilting exhaust used for both VTOL and forward flight. 
• Electric Motors: 11 or more (including motors for the retractable landing gear)
• Power source: Hybrid-electric
• Fuselage: CNC machined metal airframe except fuselage top section, the floor is one piece machined section with a composite top
• Windows: Typical corporate jet vertically oval windows
• Wings: Canard wings with a swept back rear wing with winglets
• Landing gear: Retractable wheeled landing gear
• Safety Features: Has electric motors which are more reliable than gas-powered engines, has particle separators for each ducted fan, can land like a conventional airplane in the unlikely event of a motor failure, has fly-by-wire control technology, with conventional flight controls for added redundancy, there will be two electric motors in each motor nacelle in tandem, for redundancy, has weather protection system beyond FAA requirements and more.

Resources:

• Wikipedia: Advanced Aerodynamics and Structures Inc.
• Wikipedia: AASI Jetcruzer 450, 500, 650, Stratocruzer 1250
• Article: Getting New Plane Off the Ground : Manufacturing: Advanced Aerodynamics’ Jetcruzer is a long shot for quick FAA approval and market success, Los Angeles Times, Oct. 13, 1992