'Super quiet' electric airplane design takes off vertically

A startup developed by Heaviside could take off vertically like a helicopter but emit 100 times less noise.

Kitty Hawk , California-based electric aircraft maker, last week launched a third prototype, Heaviside or HVSD . This is an upright, all-electric, vertical flight and described as "super quiet" when emitting only 38 decibels (dB), a level of sound that the human ear is almost unable to feel. noticed when operating at the same height as a helicopter.

Heaviside flight test in California.

Heaviside is designed to go anywhere. Thanks to its compact size, it doesn't need a large runway or landing strip to take off and land. Light weight also allows the vehicle to save energy. It can fly nearly 90 km in 15 minutes, with energy consumption is only half that of electric cars.

"We have technology that can help you fly from San Francisco to San jose in 15 minutes and to Berkeley in just 4 minutes. The goal now is to make it safer, socially acceptable and prove us. can change the world " , CEO Sebastian Thrun shared.

Kitty Hawk recently announced it would partner with Boeing to develop a semi-self-flying flying taxi. The current version of Heaviside has only one seat but has the ability to fly automatically. The company has not disclosed specific plans to put the product into commercial production but wants the vehicle to be accessible to everyone soon.

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