The Aero exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany has always been fertile ground for new aircraft ideas and with electric aircraft surging, 2019 is no exception. One of the more unusual aircraft on display this week is the AutoFlightX, an exotic VTOL design that looks like a cross between a P-38 and George Jetson’s daily ride to work.
The AutoFlightX was unveiled, literally, by removing the fabric barrier, without much fanfare and with even less explanation. Marco Hade, who oversees the company’s test and integration, told AVweb that the aircraft, which may be a two-seater, will ultimately be aimed at the thus-far aspirational urban mobility market. As an electric-only VTOL, it has both vertical thrust—four propellers—and horizontal propulsion in the form of a single pusher prop. Hade declined to say how many motors it has, but knowing that electric aircraft designers aren’t fond of adding weighty drives shafts, we’re going to guess one prop equals one motor. The aircraft hasn’t flown yet, but is expected to within the next few months, adding yet another design choice to the burgeoning urban mobility field.
