Pipistrel in cooperation with Elan creates solutions for »flying UBER«

20.06.2018

Pipistrel inspired UBER and the global public with revealing of its own concept of electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) designed for urban transport. The new family of aircraft, in which a series of Slovenian ultra-light materials from Elan will be used, will use a dedicated propulsion system for take-off and control and will be able to carry two to six passengers.

Pipistrel, Ajdovščina, took part in the UBER Elevate Summit conference, where they revealed revealed the concept of its new electric airships to the giant in the world of smart transport and to the public. In Los Angeles, Igor Perkon and Tina Tomažič presented eVTOL, a special feature of the vertical take-off and landing function, which will greatly increase the number of aircraft facilitating operation in urban areas, especially in metropolitan areas. Uber is, together with its partners, already exploring the possibility of docking urban transport in densely populated settlements. Pipistrel's solution, which allows easy take offs and landing with electric motors, is much quieter, safer and more environmentally friendly than today's aircrafts – helicopters. It is also significantly cheaper - both for buying as for maintenance and therefore, with an excellent passenger experience, it could represent the future of urban and suburban transport for a smaller number of people, as Pipistrel plans to design a aircrafts that could transport simultaneously up to six passengers.

Ivo Boscarol, founder and general manager of Pipistrel, said: »Pipistrel does not try to reinvent the helicopter, so it does not equip its aircrafts with additional rotors, but develops dedicated drive solutions for airborne cruise and vertical lift with built-in passenger  transport capacity - our city planes will have two to six seats. With an innovative integrated vertical take-off and landing system that is quiet and efficient and features very aerodynamic wings, Pipistrel creates new class of eVTOL aircraft. They maximize the speed of the flight and significantly reduce operating costs, which gives a number of benefits to passengers who are now accustomed to classical aviation.« Mark Moore, director of UBER's engineering department, Elevate Vehicle Systems, added:« Pipistrel was one of the pioneers in the development of electric aircraft , the company started the electric flying period. Today, the company, a partner of Uber Elevate, is working with the eVTOL concept to prepare the next generation of distributed electric drive. We are excited about continuing the cooperation with Pipistrel and we are looking forward to the day we introduce this concept into Elevate net.«

The strategic partnership with Elan

Pipistrel also presented a strategic partnership with Elan, a domestic developer, a manufacturer and supplier of sports equipment, composed of high-tech and advanced composites, which in recent years is also being devoted to the development of technologies for the exploitation of wind energy. »We are honoured to be able to work with a company that will transfer over 50 years of experience in the field of work with advanced composite materials to the Uber eVTOL project. Elans ability to develop ultralight and super-strong composite materials will contribute to longer flight times and higher permissible stresses, and thus improve the overall experience of all involved, »said Tine Tomažič.