Fixed Wing Angle eVTOL

About this technology

Overview

Current electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) configurations for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) applications often require performance-hindering equipment only used for a specific operation (e.g., takeoff or cruising). The need for such equipment, such as separate lift and thrust mechanisms, often stems from the challenge posed by transitioning from hovering to forward flight. For example, tilt-wing eVTOLs have complex transition periods that can result in large pitching movements or wing stalling without adequate propulsion, potentially causing catastrophic loss of control. Increased equipment requirements for eVTOLs also increase system mass, negatively impacting performance. Innovators at NASA's Langley Research Center recognized this issue and have developed a novel eVTOL solution design. The technology is a distributed electric propulsion, modular wing aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, without requiring near 90° wing tilt. Instead, NASA's eVTOL uses large flaps and a fixed slight wing tilt to generate upward force, enabling VTOL operations, benign transition from hovering to forward flight, and increased safety and simplicity of operations.