The sports car manufacturer Aston Martin has just revealed their concept for a new VTOL aircraft. Here's more.
After producing cars for over 100 years, the automotive company Aston Martin has just revealed a concept for an entirely new type of vehicle. The Volante Vision Concept announced at the Farnborough Airshow on Tuesday combines impressive 21st-century VTOL technology with the style and prestige of Aston Martin's cars. Although just a CGI concept (for now), the aircraft is a tasty hint of what might be hiding just around the corner.
Produced in as a collaboration between Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and Rolls-Royce, the aircraft would seat three adults in an elegant carbon fiber cockpit.
Here's a statement from the president and CEO of Aston Martin, Dr. Andy Palmer:
“With the population in urban areas continuing to grow, congestion in towns and cities will become increasingly demanding. We need to look at alternative solutions to reduce congestion, cut pollution and improve mobility. Air travel will be a crucial part in the future of transportation, the Volante Vision Concept is the ultimate luxury mobility solution"
The shark-like aircraft would use an electric Rolls-Royce propulsion system. This would be located around the center of the aircraft, much like a mid-engined sports car. This isn't where the similarities end, however.
The interior is comprised of a mix of aesthetics. On the one hand, it's reminiscent of a fighter jet. The layout of the ejector style seats and sweeping fighter canopy provides a futuristic aviation feel. On the other hand, the trim of pale leather and widespread carbon is just what you'd expect to find inside an exotic hypercar.
It does look a little tight, however, especially for those rear passengers.
Aston Martin is not, of course, the only company investigating the VTOL aircraft space left open by the introduction of new technologies. The SureFly VTOL helicopter is another aircraft project getting in on this action.
There's talk of a new frontier in aviation. This will be an urbanized form of air travel on the local level. It will comprise of an ecosystem of landing pads, battery charging stations and other propulsion system infrastructure. CEO and president of Embraer Antonio Campello told an audience at Farnborough, 'we aren't there yet but we are much closer.'
Photo Credit: Aston Martin
Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
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Who wants to live next to a nuclear power plant, not the guys who buy these energy-gobblers, I'm sure!
Sadly, those who produce the most noise do not want to live next door to the noise they make.
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