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Samad Aerospace completes hover tests for eStarling

Posted 27 July 2021

Cranfield based Samad Aerospace has completed hover tests for its second prototype eVTOL eStarling aircraft.

Designed for intercity transport, the eStarling aircraft will combine a helicopter’s vertical ability to take off and land from almost anywhere, with the speed and range of a business jet.

With a semi blended wing body (BWB) design and powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the eStarling will be the fastest hybrid electric eVTOL aircraft in the world with the longest range.

With a cruising speed of 300 mph and a range of 800 miles, the eStarling will reach the highest speeds of any eVTOL aircraft. It will transport passengers ‘helipad-helipad’ avoiding the need to travel to and from airports.

Previous testing has developed conventional take-off and landing of the prototype. Recent tethered hover tests followed by full hover tests demonstrated a very agile and stable prototype with hovering and helicopter moves.

This month’s hover tests were performed over a crane system, and they focused on the validation of the flight control system in hovering mode. The aircraft consumed 65% of the available power to take off and hover with a healthy power surplus for adverse weather conditions.

Image courtesy Samad Aerospace

Speaking from his UK Head Office at Cranfield Technology Park, Dr Seyed Mohseni (above), CEO of SAMAD Aerospace, said: “The importance of these recent flight tests is the initial validation of autopilot that has been developed by the Samad Aerospace team.”

Available to pre-order now for delivery in 2026, the eStarling will reduce total travel time by utilising locations much closer to the customer’s point of departure and destination, including remote locations.

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