United Kingdom: Vertical Aerospace employs Dassault Systèmes cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE in developing its third eVTOL By Paul Eden.

On 18 June, Dassault Systèmes announced that Vertical Aerospace was using its cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform to manage the complex development of its third-generation prototype. For the Bristol, UK-based company it marked another important step on its eVTOL journey.

Just four years ago, OVO Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick established Vertical Aerospace. A year later, its POC eVTOL demonstrator achieved tethered flight. Initially developed by a team of six engineers, the POC flew free, under CAA permission, in 2018.

With the Vertical Aerospace engineering cadre expanding to more than 70 personnel, valuable insight gained from the POC was applied to the 250kg-payload Seraph. The latter flew for the first time last year.

Seraph’s 250kg payload proved the practical lifting capability of eVTOL aircraft.

Seraph has paved the way for the company’s third aircraft, a machine for which it aims to achieve EASA certification. Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE is playing an important part in the aircraft’s realisation, a company spokesperson explaining: “We’re using Dassault’s cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform for the aircraft’s CAD [computer aided design] and PLM [product lifecycle management].”

The Dassault system fits well with Vertical’s working practice, the company said, confirming that lockdown has had minimal impact since the company works on a cloud-based system, although it has pushed the new aircraft’s construction schedule back. “We’ll be launching the aircraft to the public this year and had expected to be building it too, but COVID-19 has caused a slight delay. Nonetheless, we’ll start work with the intention of begin flight testing early next summer.”

Seraph, in a city setting

It’s a realistic attitude that similarly colours the company’s approach to the regulatory framework needed for genuine carbon free flying. “Vertical Aerospace has been involved with the regulators since the beginning. We had CAA flight permission for POC and Seraph, works closely with EASA and leads the EUROCAE battery committee.

“We also understand there is a lot more than just the flight that goes into making the whole process emission free. We’re fortunate to have been founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick – he also founded OVO Energy, which is now the second largest energy supplier in the UK. This is helping us work towards a heavily renewable energy mix to power the aircraft. We’re also working to make our production as low carbon as possible.”

Vertical Aerospace first flew the POC demonstrator in 2018.

Vertical Aerospace is equally sensible over how it sees eVTOL operations evolving. “We believe the technology will first operate on existing helicopter routes, then build out until we eventually get to on-demand service. Initial routes will probably be from city centres to airport hubs, reducing travel time dramatically.”

Ultimately, there is a firm belief in day-to-day eVTOL operations, with on-demand booking via app, typically by users who might otherwise hail a cab for a cross-city journey, people who might otherwise have used the train to travel between towns, or simply folk travelling home after a night out.

A life-long, profoundly passionate aviation enthusiast, Paul E. Eden began writing about aircraft in 1996 and became a freelance aerospace writer and editor in 2003. He says his addiction began with a Matchbox Spitfire model kit and the Ladybird Book of Aircraft, around 1975. Since then, he has written for the Official RAF Annual Review and Salute publications, and currently edits and writes Executive and VIP Aviation International magazine. A regular contributor to a number of specialist publications, including Aerospace, the journal of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and airline, cargo and flight test magazines, he also blogs for Runway Girl Network.

His first book for Bloomsbury, The Official Illustrated History of RAF Search and Rescue, was published on 25th June 2020.

Blog: https://pauleeden.wordpress.com
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/paul-e-eden/15/9a5/671
Twitter: @TwoDrones

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 2nd July 2020 | Issue #564

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