Honda Accelerates e/VTOL Development “After Prototype Receives FAA Approval for Flight Testing”
As Japanese car manufacturers go, Honda is well behind the dominance of Toyota and South Korea’s Hyundai, so any mention of eVTOL development can be met with a wry smile.
Toyota leads the global automaker market selling over 10 million cars in 2023; Hyundai lies in third with over seven million; whereas Honda is in 7th position mustering less than five million sales. The logic being, Toyota and Hyundai have a lot more money to invest than Honda. This becomes obvious when Toyota is closing in on a USD1 billion investment in Joby Aviation.
Meanwhile, Hyundai is developing its own Supernal eVTOL, but Honda is matching this. In that respect, like Hyundai, it is showing more courage than Toyota, although some might say, taking a riskier approach. While, Stellantis who lies 4th in the car manufacturer chart, has chosen a similar path to Toyota, investing in Archer.
News of Honda’s tilt rotor eVTOL development has remained under the radar, so when news broke last week on Linkedin that its prototype has recently received FAA approval for flight testing, it titillated once more the prospect of a further flying taxi making the commercial finishing line.
The post stated, “Honda is moving forward in the development of its eVTOL aircraft, recently receiving FAA approval for flight testing. This prototype, created by the Honda Research Institute, is part of Honda’s exploration into hybrid-electric air travel, aiming for a range of up to 216 nautical miles.”
It continues, “The FAA’s exemption allows Honda to conduct demonstration flights through October 2026 with a scaled-down test model weighing over 55 pounds. Although few details have been released, Honda describes the design as a multi-rotor configuration with both lifting and propulsion propellers, emphasising quieter operation than traditional helicopters.” Adding, “The project benefits from Honda’s experience in certifying aircraft, with ambitions to bring advanced electric aircraft to the skies in the near future.”
Thomas Kyle Leonard, a quality management specialist, replied on Linkedin, “Everything Honda touches turns to gold. I am sure this design has already been deemed functional by their engineering team. Now it’s time for a 2/3rds-scale demonstrator model to hit the skies.”
Honda’s Type certification and commercialisation path when compared to Supernal, is in direct competition. Whereas, Toyota via Joby will have pole position and be ahead by two or more years over its Asian rivals.
To refresh: Honda’s website explains that “One of the key features of Honda’s eVTOL not found in any other is the gas turbine hybrid power unit, which greatly extends the range. All-electric eVTOLs, which fly solely on energy stored in the battery, have a range of around 62 miles and are intended for intra-city transportation, an alternative for taxi use. On the other hand, Honda eVTOL equipped with a hybrid power unit has a range of around 250 miles, which covers even inter-city (city-to-city) transportation.”
This places Honda in the primary seat over its Japanese and South Korean competitors as both Joby and Supernal are powered by all-electric propulsion systems. Although, some may point to Joby’s landmark flight in June, when its hydrogen/electric prototype completed a 523-mile flight above the company’s manufacturing and flight test facilities in Marina, California.
Honda’s website continues, “F1 technologies, both tangible and intangible, have also been incorporated into the development our eVTOL, including F1 power unit technology applied for the ultra-high rpm generator, as well as the simulation analysis technology and facilities for aerodynamic development. Racing chassis technologies are also applied to Honda eVTOL as there are many similarities in aerodynamic phenomena because the speed range and airflow turbulence eVTOL needs to manage are closer to those of F1 machines than of passenger airplanes.”
Adding, “Moreover, Honda also has time-proven hybrid technologies as well as safety technologies such as Honda SENSING technologies. Participation of Honda engineers with experience in various areas including HondaJet, F1, hybrid vehicles and safety and driver-assistive technologies, is enabling the project team to pursue the development of eVTOL unique only to Honda.”
While, Europe is finding it difficult to finance its own eVTOL developments, at least two other countries apart from America and China are showing an aptitude and desire to compete in this future market. Honda may be viewed as the shrimp of its Asian competitors, but a shrimp could transform into a Tiger prawn
Please Watch Video: “The Competition — Beware!”
For more information
https://global.honda/en/tech/Electric_Vertical_Take-Off_and_Landing_aircraft_eVTOL
(Images: Honda)
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