Cavorite X5
The Batwing is almost here
Maybe because it’s in all black, but this might be a contender for the top 5 (at least based on looks so far). This batwing-esq flying car (or eVTOL if you want to get technical) supports some serious rendundancy.
The Cavorite X5 combines a pusher prop with a bunch of ducted fans in the wings. It is a five passenger aircraft with a cruise speed of 215 mph (350 km/h) and a range of 310 miles (500 km).
The aircraft is powered by a gas engine that provides power to its electric motors for both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and forward flight. For VTOL operations, the wings split into two sections, revealing ducted fans for vertical flight. In forward flight, the wings close over the fans, and a pusher propeller is used. The aircraft features a forward-sliding canopy for the pilot, gull-wing doors for passengers, a rear high wing, forward canard wings to enhance its range, and retractable tricycle landing gear.
The wing's ducted fan system, known as a fan-in-wing system, is currently pending patents. The aircraft is equipped with 16 ducted fans in total: 12 on the rear wings and four on the front canard wings. In the event of engine failure or fuel depletion, a battery pack can power all the electrical systems to ensure a safe landing. Additionally, the aircraft can perform conventional landings if there isn't enough battery power for a vertical landing.
While all of this sounds really complicated, it probably is. But talk about redundancy! Love it.
Horizon Aircraft envisions that they will need to invest approximately $100 million before they can make their first sale of a production aircraft. Their initial objective is to offer their hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft as an experimental amateur-built aircraft in the North American market by 2024. Subsequently, the company plans to transition to full-scale production of the aircraft.
for more info on the X5 and the upcoming X7 - go here: https://www.horizonaircraft.com/