The plane takes off vertically during the demonstration held on March 1 in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture.
17:56 JST, March 10, 2024
BUNGO-ONO, Oita – A demonstration of a hybrid flying car was recently held in Bungo-Ono, Oita Prefecture, in preparation for its practical application as a next-generation means of transportation.
The aircraft featured a hybrid system powered by small gas turbines on both wings, making the March 1 open demonstration the first opportunity in Japan to use a large drone with this system, the Oita Prefecture government said and others.
Flying cars are expected to become a new means of transportation to and from places such as remote islands and mountainous areas, as well as for transporting victims and emergency supplies in case of disasters.
The aircraft meets the requirements to be considered an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft), such as the use of electrical power and the ability to take off and land vertically.
Last year, the prefecture’s government signed a memorandum of understanding with Hien Aero Technologies Co., a Tokyo-based company working on the commercialization of eVTOL, for industrial promotion in the prefecture through aircraft development.
The demonstration was held at the prefecture’s central airport with about 40 people, including officials from the prefectural government and drone-related companies based in the prefecture.
The plane, five meters wide, 1.5 meters high and 3.2 meters long, rose vertically to a height of eight meters. The 100-kilogram vehicle with a maximum payload of 25 kilograms remained in the air for about 40 seconds.
“We want to continue developing the aircraft while verifying its functions and principles,” said Gaku Minorikawa, head of Hien Aero Technologies.
“We expect the aircraft will be used to solve a variety of regional challenges,” said Takayuki Kaku, director of the prefectural government’s advanced technology challenges department.
