german aviation startup e.SAT has unveiled a silent air taxi that features an innovative box-wing and a unique hybrid electric drivetrain. designed to relieve main traffic carriers and shorten individual travel time, when realised the company says a journey will cost no more than a train ticket.

e.SAT throws a ‘silent air taxi’ into the ring of aviation

images courtesy of e.SAT

 

 

set to become a reality by 2024, a 50-strong team of developers and engineers are currently working on the aircraft. meanwhile, the fraunhofer IPT (institute for production technology) is developing motor components for its powertrain set to allow the silent air taxi access to more than 95 percent of all german airports and air fields, as it only needs a runway of max. 400 m length. this is made possible by an innovative, 10 m wingspan in a boxwing configuration with a unique hybrid drive.

e.SAT throws a ‘silent air taxi’ into the ring of aviation

 

 

‘in urban areas, individual mobility and public transport systems both on the ground and in the air are reaching their limits,’ the company said in a statement. ‘our society’s need for flexible yet affordable mobility grows in a way that surpasses the capabilities of existing modes of transport such as cars, trains and scheduled flights.’

e.SAT throws a ‘silent air taxi’ into the ring of aviation

 

 

‘based on the vision of a quiet and inexpensive small aircraft, the silent air taxi opens up individual mobility in the air for regional distances, relieves strain on the main public transport providers, and simultaneously shortens individual travel times.’

e.SAT unveils ‘silent air taxi’ with unique hybrid electric drivetrain

 

 

the silent air taxi can carry up to give passengers (including the pilot) and can cruise at 300 km/h (186 mph or 161 kn) with its ducted fans for a 1000 km range (621 miles). a particularly low-noise fan, paired with comprehensive sound proofing of the powertrain, as well as an overall design of the plane optimizing the aero-acoustics will ensure that an overflight will not be discernible from every-day background noise.

e.SAT unveils ‘silent air taxi’ with unique hybrid electric drivetrain

 

 

‘the silent air taxi will carry people much faster to flexibly selectable destinations. a ticket will cost no more than a deutsche bahn first class train ticket. the modest pricing is achieved due to the low investment and operating costs.’

 

according to e.sat, the silent air taxi will make its maiden flight in 2022. the company hopes to achieve its EASA CS-23 certification in 2024.

e.SAT unveils ‘silent air taxi’ with unique hybrid electric drivetrain e.SAT unveils ‘silent air taxi’ with unique hybrid electric drivetrain

 

project info

 

company: e.SAT
name: silent air taxi