BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Oct 2021, 20:13

Username Protected wrote:

According to their website it gets about 15 min of flight on a charge @ 60 mph (kts.?can’t remember)

Weighs 90lbs empty and eight electric motors.

Where does that fit in the LSA spectrum?

EDIT : https://www.jetsonaero.com/

Ultralight (255lb max)?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Oct 2021, 20:19

Username Protected wrote:

I understand that this is a marketing video, but why no video of a takeoff and landing?

More importantly, given they claim to have a working prototype, why is the entire promotional video computer generated?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Oct 2021, 20:36

Username Protected wrote:

I understand that this is a marketing video, but why no video of a takeoff and landing?

More importantly, given they claim to have a working prototype, why is the entire promotional video computer generated?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Oct 2021, 21:04

I dunno one way or the other, but parts of the video look to be "enhanced" to me.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 22 Oct 2021, 21:13

Username Protected wrote:

According to their website it gets about 15 min of flight on a charge @ 60 mph (kts.?can’t remember)

Weighs 90lbs empty and eight electric motors.

Where does that fit in the LSA spectrum?

EDIT : https://www.jetsonaero.com/

Ultralight (255lb max)?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 15:24

Username Protected wrote:

90lb BEW + 180LB pilot = 270Lb.
LSA is limited to single engine. This has 8 motors (like a B-52)

8 motors and I still exceed the maximum pilot weight by 13lbs. Maybe they’ll come out with a Clydesdale version?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 17:52

I can see it working fine based on others out there flying and the designer has posted earlier rough cut videos of early prototypes flying. But I wonder in these things about a failure mode where it goes to full power and you end up at about 6000ft with battery dead.

Multiple parallel systems it should not be able to happen but with a simple failure of the throttle control could it get you there with all systems working?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 18:26

Username Protected wrote:

Where does that fit in the LSA spectrum?

I believe it falls under Part 103, so not even an LSA. No license required.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 19:25

Username Protected wrote:

Ultralight (255lb max)?

90lb BEW + 180LB pilot = 270Lb.
LSA is limited to single engine. This has 8 motors (like a B-52)

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 20:09

Username Protected wrote:

The ultralight weight limit does NOT include the pilot and AFaIK there are no limitations on the number of motors. They are limited to daytime and cannot fly over "congested areas" or open air assemblies. Max speed is 55 KT.

I’m not too familiar with LSA. I just got that off of the EAA website from a google search.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 23 Oct 2021, 20:26

Username Protected wrote:

I’m not too familiar with LSA. I just got that off of the EAA website from a google search.

LSA and Part 103 Ultralight are separate things.

Part 103 grew out of powered hanglider fad in the late 1970s. The regs in other countries are similar (I think one country had a "foot launched" requirement, for example, rather than a maximum weight limit as we have in the United States). There are only about dozen points to Part 103, most of them describe general limitations of the machine and a couple describe operations (i.e. not over populated areas). There's no requirement for airworthiness, pilot license, medical, none of that.

It's pretty basic. I think it's a minor miracle that it exists at all, within the bureaucracy.

An electric helicopter backpack, with very limited performance and endurance, could easily meet Part 103. Rearranging everything in a roll cage for safety, like these guys have done, is a little more palatable. I'm not convinced a lot of many married guys are going to get permission to buy one but they might sell a few.

I do think it's impractical in the present day. Want to hop from your driveway to the top of a tall building a mile away? The machine is more than capable but bad news, you'll be violating an FAR by doing that because it's a populated area.

Live out in the sticks and want to take a shortcut across the north forty to your friends down the way? You'll make a way cooler entrance than taking the farm truck or a four wheel ATV.

I love the innovation and the fact that they're putting themselves out there to make this. I think they have an uphill journey with some rules and regulations obstacles along the way.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Oct 2021, 12:08

Username Protected wrote:

I can see it working fine based on others out there flying and the designer has posted earlier rough cut videos of early prototypes flying. But I wonder in these things about a failure mode where it goes to full power and you end up at about 6000ft with battery dead.

Multiple parallel systems it should not be able to happen but with a simple failure of the throttle control could it get you there with all systems working?

Says it’s equipped with a chute with rapid deployment. That would be a ride!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 24 Oct 2021, 12:49

Username Protected wrote:

I love the innovation and the fact that they're putting themselves out there to make this. I think they have an uphill journey with some rules and regulations obstacles along the way.

Chances are that if this type of aircraft ever becomes popular, the FAA will jump in with more regulations.