On Friday 4 March Doroni Aerospace revealed the sleek-looking H1-X: a two-seat electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) model designed for personal transportation. The company anticipates the first H1-X test flight by the end of 2024. Doroni could certify the tandem wing design as a light sport aircraft (LSA) under the FAA’s MOSAIC proposal, which would raise the weight limit on such aircraft from 1,320 pounds to about 3,000 pounds. Doing so would lower the model’s barrier to certification and make it more accessible to pilots.
Personal eVTOL aircraft such as the H1-X are expected to enter the US market before electric air taxis, which a handful of manufacturers intend to launch commercially in 2025. The smaller models may give Americans their first glimpse of eVTOL technology. “The H1-X is not just a vehicle; it is a leap towards a future where freedom of movement and sustainability coexist,” said Doron Merdinger, CEO of Doroni.
“Our dedication to innovation, safety and the environment is embodied in every aspect of the H1-X, marking a new chapter in transportation.” Doroni called the H1-X’s unusual tandem wing configuration, which it claims will enhance lift and efficiency a ‘leap in aerodynamic sophistication.’
It includes integrated wing landing gear, with wing fences to manage airflow. Another defining feature is the propulsion system. The aircraft receives its lift from four in-wing electric ducted fans, a technology also featured on the Lilium Jet.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of Future Flight.
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This story is from the March 2024 edition of Future Flight.
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