The Hexa Personal Drone eVTOL Has 18 Rotors and Can Carry One Passenger
The era of personal drones is fast becoming a reality and Hexa personal drone by LIFT Aircraft is at the forefront of this revolution in personal aviation. Hexa is an electric, remotely piloted, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that can carry only one passenger. On April 4th, the drone took to the skies over Eglin Florida and carried out a successful demonstration of its capabilities.
Image: Lift Aircraft
The tests are being done by the Air Force 413th Flight Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base to familiarize the branch with operating vehicles of this nature for military applications, first response, personnel transport, base logistics and search and rescue.
Image: Lift Aircraft
The Hexa aircraft is more akin to an eVTOL rotorcraft capable of vertical take-off and landing. It has 18 electric motors, each powering a separate rotor. The rotors are mounted on a lattice-like canopy with one rotor on each arm and 12 rotors equally spaced around the outer ring of the lattice.
Image: Lift Aircraft
While this number of rotors may seem to be too many, they do present several benefits such as offering greater redundancy during flight than a single rotor eVTOL or a traditional helicopter. While the tests done at Eglin flew the drone by remote control, the Hexa has the capacity to carry a single passenger or cargo. Employing the above-mentioned roles in several civilian and military applications.
Image: Lift Aircraft
The aircraft flew for 10 minutes at 50 feet during initial testing. For the roles mentioned above, the aircraft will need to fly longer distances at much higher altitudes. LIFT promises that the aircraft will remain low cost and easy to fly and if that is true, we may soon see this remarkable aircraft performing routine civilian and military chores.
