Airbus unveiled the first full-scale prototype of its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft as it prepares to start flight testing later this year. The company presented the four-passenger model during an event at its Donauwörth facility in Germany, where it has opened the research and development base for the program.
The CityAirbus aircraft is being developed to operate mainly on flights of up to around 80 kilometers (50 miles) at speeds of 120 km/h. With a 12-meter (40-foot) wingspan, the design features right rotors, including four mounted on the rear side of the wing for vertical lift, plus a pair of forward-facing propellers and two pusher props installed on the tail.
In December, the CityAirbus powered up the aircraft for the first time as it started a series of ground tests on the electric motors and rotors. The engineering team is also testing flight controls and avionics as it prepares for its first flight. The Donauwörth site is already in use by Airbus Helicopters.
The European aerospace group said its new Donauwörth facility is part of its long-term investment in the advanced air mobility sector. “Rolling out the CityAirbus NextGen for the very first time is an important and very real step that we are taking towards advanced air mobility and our future product and market,” said Balkiz Sarihan, CEO and head of Urban Air Mobility at Airbus. “Thank you to our community, team, and partners all over the world for helping us to make this a reality.”
