A company from Kemerovo has become the first Russian manufacturer of single-seat electric aircraft with vertical take-off. The producer expects to make up to 100 units a year; the first orders have already been placed.
Serial production of single-seat electric vertical-take-off aircraft has begun in Kemerovo. According to the plant’s technical director Maxim Ivlev, the enterprise is so far the only manufacturer of such equipment in Russia, TASS reports.
The design is fitted with eight electric motors. The aircraft can stay airborne for up to 30 minutes with a pilot weighing up to 75 kg; its maximum speed without a pilot reaches 95 km/h. Vertical take-off means no runway is required.
Depending on the version, payload is 75, 90 or 110 kg. The main structural parts are made of carbon fibre and titanium, which reduces weight while keeping the necessary strength.
A large share of the functions is handled by onboard electronics. They provide stabilization and help control the machine; key systems are duplicated. A rescue parachute is provided for emergencies.
The manufacturer expects to produce up to 100 aircraft a year at full capacity. Five private customers have already placed orders and are waiting for delivery. Production still depends on foreign components: the electric motors and batteries used in the aircraft are not made in Russia.
Developers recommend flying in clear weather without rain and with visibility of at least 2 km. The permitted temperature range is from –15 to +30 °C. Winter flights are possible, but using the aircraft in snowfall is considered risky.
Beginner pilots are advised to take a five-hour course in meteorology and aerodynamics, although the training is not mandatory. The company is also considering a two-seat version.
According to the developer, aircraft weighing up to 115 kg do not require certification: they can be registered via Gosuslugi as a home-built aircraft. The company hopes that such machines will eventually be able to compete with helicopters.
