Joby Aviation Air Taxi

[Palumboism]

Four passengers and 150 mile range with over a thousand test flights completed.

[Palumboism]

It's relatively quiet hovering towards the end of the video.  Aircraft like this are getting ready to transform the aviation industry.  Autonomous will be next, just like in cars, meaning large aircraft are Dodo birds, so are traditional helicopters.  Creative destruction at it's finest.

[Palumboism]

Hyundai S-A1 eVTOL Concept.  I'm not sure how far they're along with this aircraft.

[King Shizzo]

I'm intrigued with your fascination of the aeronautics industry.

Is there a story behind the spark?

[Megalodon]

Any videos show the complete vertical takeoff and landing? They edited both. I get the idea with the cgi video though.

[Palumboism]

I'm intrigued with your fascination of the aeronautics industry.

Is there a story behind the spark?

I work in the aerospace industry, rockets, jets, and Helicopters.  I also have an interest in it in  aviation in general.  I post it here because I can't stand the way airliners.net forum is run.  Most Getbiggers wouldn't last two seconds over there.   

This type of aircraft will be a game changer for transportation. 

[Palumboism]

Any videos show the complete vertical takeoff and landing? They edited both. I get the idea with the cgi video though.

The only two videos released by Joby were the ones I posted and they only recently released them.  There's a bigger story of the IPO coming.  I'll find the article.

[Dave D]

I work in the aerospace industry, rockets, jets, and Helicopters.  I also have an interest in it in  aviation in general.  I post it here because I can't stand the way airliners.net forum is run.  Most Getbiggers wouldn't last two seconds over there.   

This type of aircraft will be a game changer for transportation.

I don’t doubt it will be a game changer but how long do you think it will actually something that is affordable for the general public (obviously most members here can purchase their own aircraft)?

Helicopter flights are a fairly convenient type of travel and aren’t outrageous in pricing but the general public isn’t taking advantage of these flight options, will this be cheaper?

[ThisisOverload]

I work in the aerospace industry, rockets, jets, and Helicopters.  I also have an interest in it in  aviation in general.  I post it here because I can't stand the way airliners.net forum is run.  Most Getbiggers wouldn't last two seconds over there.   

This type of aircraft will be a game changer for transportation.

Are they going to make larger aircraft like these for mass transport? Or just use more of these smaller ones?

[OneMoreRep]

I work in the aerospace industry, rockets, jets, and Helicopters.  I also have an interest in it in  aviation in general.  I post it here because I can't stand the way airliners.net forum is run.  Most Getbiggers wouldn't last two seconds over there.   

This type of aircraft will be a game changer for transportation.

That's fantastic to hear. Please tell us more about what you see coming down the pike in terms of new aircrafts and methods of transportation.

"1"

[Hypertrophy]

Four passengers and 150 mile range with over a thousand test flights completed.

The energy density of batteries pales in comparison to aviation fuel. Electric flight sounds so beautiful until you do the math. It's not a "game changer"- just another form of transportation with a limited niche given current battery technology. And yes, I can hear it now- there will soon be a big discovery changing everything, lol. Like the cure for the common cold- it's coming...


"Large propulsion systems are only practical with internal combustion engines, and fossil fuel serves as a cheap and readily available power source. Low energy-to-weight ratio in terms of net calorific value (NCV), as well as a relatively short life span, makes batteries unsuitable beyond a given application. While fossil fuel delivers a NCV of 12,000Wh/kg, a manganese type lithium-ion battery offers 120Wh/kg, which is one hundred times less per weight. Even at a low efficiency of 25 percent, the internal combustion engine outperforms the best battery in terms of energy-to-weight ratio. The capacity of a battery would need to increase twenty-fold before it could compete head-to-head with fossil fuel.
Another limitation of battery propulsion over fossil fuel is the fuel by weight. While the weight diminishes as it is being consumed, the battery has the same deadweight whether fully charged or empty. This puts limitations on EV driving distance and would make the electric airplane impractical. Furthermore, the combustion engine delivers full power at freezing temperatures and continues to perform well with advancing age, a trait that is not achievable with the battery. A battery that is a few years old may deliver only half of the rated capacity."


https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/batteries_against_fossil_fuel

[Mothballs]

They should change the name from Joby to Kobe.

Too soon?

[Teutonic Knight]

Four passengers and 150 mile range with over a thousand test flights completed.

Old RECYCLED idea, stop pretending !.

You "predicted" so much of aviation crap in 2019 & ........................ ....

[Teutonic Knight]

The energy density of batteries pales in comparison to aviation fuel. Electric flight sounds so beautiful until you do the math. It's not a "game changer"- just another form of transportation with a limited niche given current battery technology. And yes, I can hear it now- there will soon be a big discovery changing everything, lol. Like the cure for the common cold- it's coming...


"Large propulsion systems are only practical with internal combustion engines, and fossil fuel serves as a cheap and readily available power source. Low energy-to-weight ratio in terms of net calorific value (NCV), as well as a relatively short life span, makes batteries unsuitable beyond a given application. While fossil fuel delivers a NCV of 12,000Wh/kg, a manganese type lithium-ion battery offers 120Wh/kg, which is one hundred times less per weight. Even at a low efficiency of 25 percent, the internal combustion engine outperforms the best battery in terms of energy-to-weight ratio. The capacity of a battery would need to increase twenty-fold before it could compete head-to-head with fossil fuel.
Another limitation of battery propulsion over fossil fuel is the fuel by weight. While the weight diminishes as it is being consumed, the battery has the same deadweight whether fully charged or empty. This puts limitations on EV driving distance and would make the electric airplane impractical. Furthermore, the combustion engine delivers full power at freezing temperatures and continues to perform well with advancing age, a trait that is not achievable with the battery. A battery that is a few years old may deliver only half of the rated capacity."


https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/batteries_against_fossil_fuel

THIS !.

[Palumboism]

I don’t doubt it will be a game changer but how long do you think it will actually something that is affordable for the general public (obviously most members here can purchase their own aircraft)?

Helicopter flights are a fairly convenient type of travel and aren’t outrageous in pricing but the general public isn’t taking advantage of these flight options, will this be cheaper?

Speed, safety, and cost will all be significantly better than a helicopter.  Initially the price will relegate the service primarily to the wealthy, but over time will drop.

Autonomous is really the end goal, which will drastically reduce it's cost.

People aren't fully grasping how profound a change autonomous will have on all forms of transportation.  Without a driver I don't need a train, large truck, large car, large aircraft, large airport, large sea port, large distribution center.  It changes everything about how people and goods are transported.

Regarding the modern electric motor, the small size and weight relative to power is astounding.  It means any company can make a 600 hp all wheel drive vehicle.  In the past, only the most capable auto companies had the engines, transmissions, and drivetrains necessary to create such a vehicle.  Now Sony, Apple, Rivian, and Lucid can all produce a 600 hp all wheel drive beast.  Rivian's new pickup offers up to 750 hp.  In the past a company would have to develop a low volume turbo V12, but not anymore.

 
 

[Palumboism]

I don’t doubt it will be a game changer but how long do you think it will actually something that is affordable for the general public (obviously most members here can purchase their own aircraft)?

Helicopter flights are a fairly convenient type of travel and aren’t outrageous in pricing but the general public isn’t taking advantage of these flight options, will this be cheaper?

Compare the Joby aircraft to the V-22 Osprey, both very similar.  Both can take off vertically, like a helicopter and both have wings and can fly like a conventional aircraft.  Look how large the engines are on the V-22 compared to the small lightweight electric motors on the Joby aircraft.  Would you rather sit on a six legged chair or a two legged chair?  There's just no comparison in stability and maneuverability between the two.  They took a good concept, the V-22, and made it better with six electric motors.  The military understands this and already has orders and is in the process of flight testing.





The Bell V-280 just rotates the propeller and not the engine.  Imagine how complicated the drive shaft is to accommodate that type of articulation.

[Palumboism]

The energy density of batteries pales in comparison to aviation fuel. Electric flight sounds so beautiful until you do the math. It's not a "game changer"- just another form of transportation with a limited niche given current battery technology. And yes, I can hear it now- there will soon be a big discovery changing everything, lol. Like the cure for the common cold- it's coming...


"Large propulsion systems are only practical with internal combustion engines, and fossil fuel serves as a cheap and readily available power source. Low energy-to-weight ratio in terms of net calorific value (NCV), as well as a relatively short life span, makes batteries unsuitable beyond a given application. While fossil fuel delivers a NCV of 12,000Wh/kg, a manganese type lithium-ion battery offers 120Wh/kg, which is one hundred times less per weight. Even at a low efficiency of 25 percent, the internal combustion engine outperforms the best battery in terms of energy-to-weight ratio. The capacity of a battery would need to increase twenty-fold before it could compete head-to-head with fossil fuel.
Another limitation of battery propulsion over fossil fuel is the fuel by weight. While the weight diminishes as it is being consumed, the battery has the same deadweight whether fully charged or empty. This puts limitations on EV driving distance and would make the electric airplane impractical. Furthermore, the combustion engine delivers full power at freezing temperatures and continues to perform well with advancing age, a trait that is not achievable with the battery. A battery that is a few years old may deliver only half of the rated capacity."


https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/archive/batteries_against_fossil_fuel

If they want more range they just put a generator or APU onboard to generate electricity.  This aircraft is only designed for a range of 150 miles.  All the battery advances for electric cars will spill over to this aircraft as they come out. 

I am interested in finding out the specs on this aircraft.  HP on electric motors and their weight.  battery weight and KW/H, aircraft maximum takeoff weight and payload, etc..   

This is the Model T of a new kind of aircraft that will be improved on for decades to come.

[Palumboism]

Are they going to make larger aircraft like these for mass transport? Or just use more of these smaller ones?

Both, but when they become autonomous, there's no reason to make them much larger.  Maybe just add a lavatory.  This aircraft could be made much, much larger if you wanted, but that just adds cost.

[Palumboism]

Old RECYCLED idea, stop pretending !.

You "predicted" so much of aviation crap in 2019 & ........................ ....

My main prediction was regarding the A321 XLR and Airbus has expedited their development of that aircraft.

I think US domestic air travel will recover surprisingly fast after the pandemic.  These women have been cooped up all year, they just want to go on a trip.

[Teutonic Knight]

Both, but when they become autonomous, there's no reason to make them much larger.  Maybe just add a lavatory.  This aircraft could be made much, much larger if you wanted, but that just adds cost.

Yeah, I wanted 1  you'll get paid when is completed  !.

[IroNat]

You'll have to take off and land from an airport, then get either a car or a taxi from there.

So, like using a helicopter.

[Palumboism]

You'll have to take off and land from an airport, then get either a car or a taxi from there.

So, like using a helicopter.

Safety is the most important thing in aviation.  The Joby aircraft has four additional factors of safety the traditional helicopter does not.  First is the wing that provides lift provided the aircraft is moving forward and the second is having six lifting propellers and power sources compared to the lifting propeller on the traditional helicopter.  The third is that each of the six motors can rotate independently.  Finally, the fourth is the computer control of the six motors.  The four factors combined working in synergy mean this aircraft is significantly safer than a traditional helicopter. 

The Joby aircraft can effortlessly hoover much stabler than a traditional helicopter in turbulent weather due to the factors stated above.  It can also fly at a much higher top speed when it's in it's fixed wing mode. 

The initial aircraft has only 150 miles of range, but long range models with APU's (turbine powered generators) will surely follow.