The National Technological Initiative announced the development of Russian engineers for air taxi and air carsharing. This is a patented hybrid of an autogyro and a bicopter called "Pchelka", designed for the city.
The aircraft has two modes. One is autopilot, for those who do not have flight skills: such passengers will simply need to indicate on the display the point where they need to fly. The second is manual control - for those who have a pilot's license to operate an aircraft.
RIA «Novosti», referring to the development team, notes that "Pchelka" has two power plants and two propellers: this helps to ensure vertical take-off and landing plus thrust in horizontal flight. If one of the engines fails, the propellers will allow you to finish the flight and land safely. If both engines fail, an accident-free landing will take place in autorotation thanks to the main rotor.
"Pchelka" with internal combustion engine power plants can fly a maximum of 600 kilometers and stay in the air for 4 hours. With electric motors, it will fly a maximum of 180 kilometers, and fly in the air for 1 hour 10 minutes. The maximum flight speed of the device is 200 kilometers per hour.
The device is single-seat, it consumes little fuel, and, according to the developers, has a high level of safety compared to multicopters and helicopters. In addition, it does not need a large parking space for parking: the upper main rotor is installed along the body of the aircraft, the ends of the rotor are folded.