Presented by Airbus in mid-September 2021, the aircraft manufacturer unveils plans for its future aircraft: the CityAirbus NextGen. A sustainable solution for air mobility, it is a 100% electric drone, or flying taxi, with a futuristic look. We tell you more!
A sustainable urban mobility device
If cars have already gone all-electric, now it’s the turn of air transportation. Indeed, this Airbus drone will move 100% electrically, fuel is over! The company’s aim is to adapt to a constantly changing market. The notion of sustainability comes into play as well as social and environmental concerns, because they are also increasingly considered and put into play. The idea that Airbus wants to apply in the design and commissioning of its drone is that it fulfills real missions of sustainable air transport within cities.
Technical specifications
The CityAirbus NextGen has been designed to fly autonomously over a distance of 80km, with an average speed of 120km/h. The design of this avant-garde drone reveals a V shape for the tail of the aircraft, fixed wings, as well as 8 fully electric propellers. On board, 4 passengers can sit and enjoy a zero emission flight!
If it is no secret that helicopters or drones are quite noisy, the technology of the NextGen has been studied to limit as much as possible its noise emissions. All the more important if it evolves in urban environment. The noise level will reach a maximum of 70 dB during landing (and 5 less in flight), this represents the noise of a vacuum cleaner or a television in operation. Quite reasonable for an air transport model.
One more box that the NextGen ticks is that it meets the highest certification standards (EASA SC-VTOL Enhanced Category).
Years of innovation for the NextGen
The design of this NextGen aircraft is based on the previous models of the manufacturer. The CityAirbus and the Vahanna already had a vertical take-off system called eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing). Among other things, it is a way for the drone to take off and land in a completely vertical way. The 242 or so tests of the previous versions have helped improve the development of the NextGen so that it is state-of-the-art in many ways.
“The CityAirbus NextGen combines the best of both worlds, with the new architecture striking the right balance between hovering and forward flight. The prototype paves the way for the certification expected around 2025,” says Bruno Even, CEO of AirBus Helicopters.
Although it is still in the study and design phase, the NextGen should be tested during a first flight in 2023.
Will it be used in the 2024 Olympic Games?
According to CEO Bruno Even, the certification of the CityAirbus NextGen should take place in 2025. This seems totally accessible for the Airbus company. Another issue is its presentation to the general public during the 2024 Olympic Games. If it is certified in 2025, it will have already shown its qualities and its field of action well before then. If it represents Airbus at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, it will potentially operate with other flying cabs (such as Volocopter) on links between strategic points such as between Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport and the Olympic village in Saint Denis.
While waiting for the arrival of this flying cab, our air experts are at your disposal 24/7 for your private flight at +33 (0) 1 44 09 91 82. Do not hesitate to visit our online quote to get a price estimate for your business flight.
