VTOL Aviation India Abhiyaan NX (mock-up)

Abhiyaan NX (mock-up)
VTOL Aviation India Pvt. Ltd.
Maharashtra, India
www.vtolaviations.com

On July 13, 2017, VTOL Aviation India was founded by Mr Kalyan Chowdhury in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The goal of the company is to be the first in the Indian aerospace sector to make hybrid-electric and all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) passenger aircraft. The reason for this is to achieve the "Make in India" goal, a government-launched initiative to encourage 100% of a product to be manufactured domestically. The company is partnering with the Indian Institute Of Technology-Kanpur and with the EFC Group of Companies. The company has designed and manufactured multiple types of drones. VTOL Aviation India has been funded with $150 million with the plan for $2 billion total investment from internal sources and bank loans.

VTOL Aviation India has designed a new two seat hybrid-electric or all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft named the Abhiyaan NX. The company has stated from its beginning that it plans to make most of its aircraft to have the option of being powered by multiple power sources. If you need speed and range, customers have the option to purchase a hybrid-electric powered aircraft. If the customer has a shorter range, the customer can purchase an all-electric or eVTOL passenger aircraft.

This is a sub-scale mock-up and it is unknown if the mock-up actually flew or was made as a model for trade shows. The aircraft’s design resembles a typical two-seater recreational private plane with the exception of four booms on the main wing with stationary VTOL propellers. For forward flight, there is a pusher propeller on the aircraft.

There are multiple advantages to the Abhiyaan NX . It can takeoff and land like a helicopter or an airplane. For forward flight, the vertical propellers stop and the aircraft uses only one pusher propeller for flight. The aircraft can use the efficiency of regular airplane wings for sustained forward flight. The trade show banner shows the company expects their air taxi to cruise in the range of 450-500 km/h (278-311 mph).

This aircraft has been designed for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), cargo and border patrol duties. The aircraft's ability to land like an airplane or helicopter grants its operator enhanced flexibility regarding choice of landing area, bolstering the safety of the aircraft during UAM operations.

The sub-scale model of the aircraft was shown at the Defence Expo held Feb. 5-9, 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The sub-scale model is a nicely streamlined aircraft with a stylish white and blue paint scheme. No date has been set for the production of a full scale flying prototype or when the company expects manufacturing to begin.

Specifications:

• Aircraft: Hybrid-electric VTOL or eVTOL passenger air taxi
• Capacity: 2 passengers
• Expected cruise speed: 450-500 km/h (278-311 mph)
• Propellers: 8 VTOL propellers, 1 pusher propeller for forward flight
• Electric motors: 9 electric motors
• Power source: Hybrid-electric or battery packs
• Wing: 1 main high wing
• Tail: 1 T-tail
• Landing gear: Fixed tricycle wheeled landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers and motors on the aircraft so if one or more motors/propellers fail, the other working motors/propellers can safely land the aircraft. If the vertical propellers fail, the aircraft can land like a conventional airplane.

Company Insights:

• Tracxn
• The Economic Times (India)
• Zauba Corp
• Easy Leadz

Resources:

• VTOL Aviation India website
• VTOL Aviation India Twitter
• VTOL Aviation LinkedIn
• Indian Institute of Technology website
• Article: Bringing Flying Taxis to the Masses: India’s VTOL Aviation Redefines the Future of Mobility, Auto Futures, Aug. 4, 2019