Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft are becoming closer to commercial use than before. Several companies are already developing their own vehicles, and some have even been given the thumbs up by the FAA. Doroni Aerospace is among the companies that has recently gotten approval.
Doroni H1 eVTOL
In just a couple of years, you can get yourself a personal eVTOL that can seat two people. Doroni Aerospace just announced that the Federal Aviation Administration had officially given them the Airworthiness Certification for their Doroni H1 eVTOL.
The company first tried piloting the aircraft earlier this year and worked towards making it better. There are already other eVTOL brands that have received certification, such as Alef Aeronautics, but Doroni was the first regarding two-seater eVTOLs.
Doroni Aerospace CEO Doron Merdinger said that receiving the FAA's Airworthiness Certification is not just a milestone for their company but a "leap forward for the entire field of personal air mobility," as mentioned in Interesting Engineering.
The Doroni H1 is meant to redefine urban air transportation, said the CEO. Like other brands, it is an eco-friendly and efficient way to travel. The company also claims that the aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art safety features.
It can travel up to 140mph with a cruising speed of 100mph. Even with those speeds, the Doroni H1 claims to have great maneuverability. It has ten independent propulsion systems for power, which can help with stability during flights.
It can be easier to use since it's capable of semi-autonomous flying, and as shown in the demonstration video, it can be controlled using a controller stick. With this level of progress, more aircraft join the eVTOL market.
There are already several options for those who have money to spare and dreams of flying solo between cities. While the vehicles are still a while away from release, some brands are already accepting reservations.
Samson Sky Has a Competing Product
The Doroni H1 already has a successful test flight, but so has the Switchblade from Samson Sky. The company advertises it as a sports car that can fly. It has been 14 years since the vehicle was first developed, and it has already made a successful flight.
It was tested by pilot Robert Moehle at 500 feet for six minutes. The ground top speed is lower than the Doroni H1 at just 125 mph, but that isn't stopping prospective buyers, as it already has 2,300 reservations from 57 countries.
Like the Doroni, it also has two seats and an estimated payload of 575 pounds. It can fly as fast as 200mph and can reach a top altitude of 13,000 feet. When using it for ground transport, the wings of the aircraft can fold back inside the vehicle.
It takes about three minutes for the Switchblade to extend and unfurl its tail and wings to convert back to flight mode. It has two wheels in the back and one in the front. Of course, the aircraft won't be cheap and can cost you around $170,000.
