The problem The numerous urban air mobility startups are struggling to create eVTOLs that would be (a) practical and (b) accepted and adopted. The former is primarily limited by battery capacity and range, and the latter – by regulatory barriers. Various solutions have been proposed and tried, but what if they’re looking in the wrongContinue reading “Sky infrastructure for drones and eVTOLs”
Category Archives: Aeronautical
ONE VTOL
This is the first post produced by Inspiradrome’s prototype AI pipeline. The original user’s prompt is as follows: Upon observing the recent eVTOL craze, I thought: it looks like all the numerous startups are, to use a sci-fi analogy, firing their blasters randomly at the shield (i.e. trying to surmount the bureaucratic/financial/social barriers), without anyContinue reading “ONE VTOL”
Car-sized personal ekranoplan project
A team in Russia has developed an ekranoplan prototype (Russian ekranoplan – that would be new!) that can make waves in the industry! It is robust, and just the right size to appeal to private buyers. It’s powered by an automotive engine and has 600kg capacity, 150km/h cruise speed, and folding wings for easy transport.Continue reading “Car-sized personal ekranoplan project”
Global Atmospheric Laboratory
We’ve had space stations in orbit, we have the Castle in the Sky… oh wait, that one’s fictional! But what if it wasn’t? Introducing Global Atmospheric Laboratory – an airship laden with scientific instruments, it harvests moisture from the air and uses solar energy to hydrolyse hydrogen and stay aloft indefinitely, roaming around the globe.Continue reading “Global Atmospheric Laboratory”
Modular safety cockpit
How can we make General Aviation safer? Some cool things have emerged in recent years, like ballistic parachutes, but we still want more peace of mind when flying light aircraft. I propose building an ejectable modular reinforced cockpit, equipped with a parachute AND large external airbags. Different aircraft models can then be built around it.Continue reading “Modular safety cockpit”
“Seadragon” ekranoplan
Ekranoplans have the potential to if not revolutionise, then at least diversify the way we travel. Perhaps the most realistic ekranoplan project today is AirFish 8, a ten-seat passenger craft currently under development by ST Engineering AirX. I suggest branching the AirFish into a luxury flying yacht to take advantage of a promising market segment.Continue reading ““Seadragon” ekranoplan”
Electric gliding club
Urban electric gliding club – a new vision for accessible soaring. Imagine a gliding club positioned near a city’s edge, where quiet, clean, self-launching electric gliders take off without the need for noisy fuel-thirsty tow planes and large busy general aviation airfields. A place where anyone can discover the magic of silent flight – sustainably.Continue reading “Electric gliding club”
Cri-kranoplan
Colomban Cri-Cri is an iconic plane, and has been the object of many modifications, including installation of jet engines or electric motors. I propose building a light ground-effect vehicle based on the Cri-Cri. Many of the original parts can be reused in order to create an ultimate retrofuturistic thrill machine with an instantly recognisable appearance.Continue reading “Cri-kranoplan”
Ultralight hybrid-powered ekranoplan
Ekranoplans have fascinated enthusiasts for decades, with numerous hobby builds of RC models and piloted craft. I propose an ultralight recreational ground-effect vehicle that blends existing designs and uses off-the-shelf components. It would have Lippisch-style aerofoil and be powered by a hybrid system with petrol paramotor for cruising and electric motors for takeoff and steering.Continue reading “Ultralight hybrid-powered ekranoplan”
