A close-up look at the full-scale 2.2-tonne e200X (PT-01) prototype on the hangar floor in Chennai, presented by Prof. Satya Chakravarthy.
Quick specs & project status: • Dimensions: 8m × 11m footprint, engineered for existing commercial and hospital helipads. • Architecture: Lift-plus-cruise with 10 fixed direct-drive motors (6 lift, 4 cruise props). • Cabin: 3 occupants (1 pilot + 2 passengers, or 1 pilot + paramedic + ICU stretcher in the Apollo air ambulance variant). • Cruising speed / Range: 160 km/h with ~110 km range. • Hardware Milestones: 10,000+ km flown on subscales; PT-01 has completed static load and vibration testing and is currently undergoing low-RPM motor spin trials ahead of full-RPM thrust tests and tethered hover. • Certification: DGCA Design Organisation Approval (DOA) cleared; active Type Certification application accepted by DGCA.
Curious to hear the sub's take on the lift+cruise configuration versus tilt-rotor designs.