Aerodynamic Fact Check of eVTOLs

Abstract

Today`s demand of urban mobility is constantly growing due to the demographic changes observed in metropolitan areas. New concepts such as electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles are currently emerging. Yet, the question is, whether these vehicles will prevail. While the design of those vehicles is highly multidisciplinary, this work focuses on the aerodynamics governing these small air taxi concepts. Re-engineering two vehicles configurations loosely based on existing designs are investigated to grant more insights into the advantages and disadvantages of RPM controlled thrust as well as distributed electric propulsion (DEP). The RPM control allows for high Figure of Merit in a wide range of thrust, while distributing multiple ro- tors over a tilt-wing configuration reduces the power requirements in hover as well as cruise flight. The outcome of this study is that both designs are aerodynamically feasible and grant the performance promised, however that he aerodynamics will likely not be the sole design driver.