Transition flight test campaign concludes successfully

Jetoptera, Inc. has successfully completed a multi-month flight test campaign as part of its development of a unique VTOL, hover and transition control strategy for its platforms. The campaign demonstrated the feasibility of the unique approach, which can be deployed to any VTOL-capable platform, unmanned and manned. Jetoptera was assisted by UAVenture and Air Classics in making this phase of development a success.

The campaign demonstrated:

  • Fully autonomous VTOL to wingborne missions; the missions were fully preprogramed to execute VTOL and high speed flight and they can be customized using simple interfaces such as a tablet.
  • Hovering and maneuverability in flight, per mission input or manually.
  • Transitions from and to hovering from speeds exceeding 100 mph.
  • Dynamic characteristics of aircraft in hover and wingborne modes for further analyses.

In lieu of our proprietary Fluidic Propulsive System (FPS), this phase of testing utilized battery-powered electric ducted fans.

Lessons learned and data collected are the basis of further analysis and deploying the FPS to production, either integrated with the J-220, available next year, or as a fast VTOL propulsion platform. Fluidic propulsion will enable a tenfold increase in endurance compared to the battery-powered platform, maximum speeds around 200 mph, rapid deployment and refueling using jet fuel, as well as significant payload power supply capabilities using the turbine driven generator onboard. Parallel efforts in developing the 75 kW FPS powerplant for the J-220 and similar aircraft continue, with the prototype expected at the end of the year.

Jetoptera expects to offer the integrated FPS and J-220 during the first half of 2020. The scalability and modularity of the FPS design allows for larger versions, up to and including ones suitable for manned flight, to be powered by OEM-provided turbo-compressors.

The video below is a compilation of on-board and ground-based footage, integrating telemetry information.

About Jetoptera

Jetoptera’s vision is to create a world where aerial mobility is commonplace for both cargo and people. We have developed a unique propulsion system integrated with a novel airframe. This makes possible lighter, more efficient, and less complex aircraft. Our technology enables vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), high speeds, sizable payloads and range, and maneuverability.

Connect with Jetoptera:
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/18447683/
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Jetoptera/
YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc7hrqMeTpKlpV_vsd-_LdQ

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Media Contact: [email protected]