Multi-rotor VTOL aircraft with distributed

electric propulsion

– background, current status and future prospects

SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017 Cologne

04/25/2017

Stephan WolfCo-Founder & Managing Directore-volo GmbH, Bruchsal

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 2

Helicopter

4/25/2017

» requires variable pitch blades / swashplate> change thrust vector

» requires tail rotor> compensate torque by main rotor

» requires gearbox> high engine RPM

» single-rotor

» requires lots of mechanical parts

» fossil fuel-based engine> loud, low efficiency

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 3

Multi-rotor

4/25/2017

» fixed pitch blades> no swashplate required

» pairs of counter-rotating rotors> no tail rotor required

» no mechanical parts(except bearings)

» small rotors (at least 4)

Multicopter (model)

» direct drive> no gearbox required

» electric motor> low noise, high efficiency

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 4

From model to aircraft

4/25/2017

„now scale it up…“

» “VC1” proof-of-concept (2011) » “VC200” prototype (2013)

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 5

Volocopter

4/25/2017

How many rotors?

hexagon

opening angle:120°

actual loss:2 rotors

18 rotors

opening angle:90°

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 6

Video: Evolution of the Volocopter (2011-2016)

25.04.2017

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 7

The Volocopter offers revolutionary simplicity in piloting, unprecedented safety and the absence of emission and noise

25.04.2017

» Automatic flight stabilization

» Operation of VTOL1 via single joystick

» Significantly reduced piloting skills required

Simple» Multiple redundancy in all

critical components and networks

» Significant reduction of human errors

» Full aircraft emergency parachute

Safe» Purely electric

» Significantly reduced acoustic signature

Green

» Superior operating costsCost effective

1 Vertical take-off and landing vehicle

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 8

Urban Mobility – The 3rd Dimension

25.04.2017

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 9

The Volocopter enables revolutionary use cases in urban mobility

25.04.2017

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 10

Variations based on the Volocopter platform

4/25/2017

VC400

uVC200uVC100

VC100

all systems:

uVC400

VC200

mannedaviation

unmannedaviation(UAS)

» identical components » identical safety » all-electric or hybrid

© e-volo GmbH @ SAE Aerospace Standards Summit 2017, Cologne 1125.04.2017

Stephan Wolf | Co-Founder & Managing DirectorTel +49 7251 93694-15 | Fax +49 7251 93694-99stephan.wolf@volocopter.com | www.volocopter.come-volo GmbH | Zeiloch 20 | D-76646 Bruchsal | GERMANY

Thank you!