E-volo VC2
Volocopter is the name for a new helicopter concept for electrically driven man carrying multicopter, which is developed by the Karlsruhe-based company e - volo.
Principle of operation
Volocopter need to control in contrast to normal helicopters, no mechanical components, such as swashplate, pitch, tail rotor or rowing. The propellers are securely mounted on the motors. Changes in buoyancy or propulsion carried out solely by increasing or decreasing the respective engine speed. If the speed of the engines increased or decreased at the same time, increases or decreases the Volocopter. An additional (planned ) engine in the longitudinal axis to produce additional thrust for propulsion. The control is effected according to the principle of the fly- by-wire with a joystick. The automatic position control and direction control over it several independent and mutually monitored computer (redundancy) that regulate each motor separately in its speed.
Classification
With a takeoff weight of 450 kg of Volocopter formally belongs to the ultra -light aircraft, which include in addition to aerodynamically controlled machines also ultralight gyroplane. To be able to fly this, you only need a sport pilot license in Germany. To fly a ultralight helicopter, however, a much more complex to be acquired for private pilot license helicopter pilot is necessary. Since the Volocopter can not be admitted as a gyroplane, the aim of e - volo, by the relevant associations German Ultralight Association and German Aero Club and the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA ) within the Ultralight to create their own aircraft class. This is to avoid that Volocopter may only be flown by helicopter license. At the same time appropriate building regulations and the rules of procedure are to be created as well as a training regulations are developed.
Applications of the concept Volocopter
VC 1
The first practical implementation of Volocopter concept was carried out by e - volo with the prototype "VC 1", who performed the world's first all-electric and manned flight with a helicopter in October 2011.
VC 200
Following the commitment of funds over two million euros by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi ) in mid-2012 built e - volo two-seater "VC 200 ", which is equipped with 18 individual motors. On the air show Aero Friedrichshafen, the company presented in April 2013 a mock-up of the machine.
Test flights are on the airfield in Bruchsal ( ICAO code: EDTC ) is planned, there is the work of the co-developer of DG Flugzeugbau, in which the cell of the "VC 200 " is manufactured in carbon fiber composite lightweight construction. After completion of the testing program is a type certification of the "VC 200 " and begin mass production in the terminal.
The aim is to develop an efficient admission, two-seat Volocopter, based on the concept study VC Evolution 2P with the following flight performance:
- Speed : over 100 km / h ( 54 kn)
- Achievable Flight height: about 6500 ft ( 1981.2 m)
- Dimensions: height 2.20 m, diameter rotor plane 9.80 meters.
- Take-off weight: 450 kg
- Flight duration: about 1 hours
The VC 200 is equipped with a parachute rescue system, which is a novelty in helicopters. In normal helicopters and gyroplanes (Auto Gyros) is the way to the top blocked by the main rotor and the use of a complete rescue system is not possible. Previously, the possibility of rescue was provided only for helicopters of Kamov by blasting the two main rotors and the subsequent use of a spin Sitzs.
On 17 November 2013, the first unmanned flight of the prototype took place in the dm -arena Messe Karlsruhe.
Awards
- 2012: e - volo Lindbergh won the Innovation Award 2012, sponsored by the Lindbergh Foundation.
- 2013: Cyber Champions Award 2013 /14 - Special Prize " tech pioneer "
Tech "So the special price was the Cyber Champions Award 2013/14 for the first time " Pioneer "award. The winner is the e - volo GmbH, which makes the first manned flight with an all-electric and vertical take-off aircraft. With their Volocopter, the "green" helicopter of the future, e - volo has made in the aviation industry worldwide sensation. The Department of Transportation has specially commissioned a testing program for the creation of a new aviation class for the Volocopter. "