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Is there a way to prolong the existence of VTOL aircraft?

As we discussed in my last blog, there is still a while before the extinguishment of the VTOL drone, considering its performance in the logistics field, which is a promising industry and may last at least for decades. That is leading to a narrowed but extended future for VTOL aircraft. We can follow this lead and find a way to upgrade the performance of VTOL drones to prolong their existence.

The VTOL drone shares the same limits as other drones, including the recharging problem, to blend in with the autonomous trend. I found three VTOL drone charging stations from AVY, BETA, and HEISHA.



Avy VTOL drone dock

 

Pros:

1. Small size

2. Weather station

3. Precision landing

4. Back-up battery

5. Automatic recharge

 

Cons:

1. Limited drone compatibility (Avy Area)

2. Limited flight distance (80km, 60 mins)

3. Unknown production capacity

 

The Avy VTOL drone dock is the smallest, 3 meters in length, but 700kg weight (control tower excluded). It can get ready to fly in 30 seconds, the flying safety is assured by the external weather station and precision landing. By working with the Avy Area VTOL drone, it can automatically fly across 80km with max. payload. Avy has been found five years ago with over 40 employees, but the production capacity is unknown.

 

BETA eVTOL Charging Station

 

Pros:

1. Customizable

2. Large modular design

3. 60 sites in the USA

4. Solar panels powered

 

Cons:

1. Not automated

2. Not easy to deploy

3. Pricy


BETA eVTOL Charging Station

The eVTOL charging station of BETA has about three rooms for commanding, rest, and energy storage, cozy and large enough for operators to work and rest. The VTO cargo drone of BETA has a 15.24m wingspan and can fly up to 250nm, its performance is beyond amazing to describe.

But the recharging work of BETA VTOL drones still relies on humans, not automatic. Purchase such a huge charging station for a medium size company is not easy, that’s why over 60 sites are spreading in the USA. But the BETA eVTOL charging station is environmental-friendly as it can be powered by solar panels.

 

HEISHA VTOL drone charging station

 

Pros:

1. Flexible container structure

2. Large production capacity

3. Affordable

4. Automatic recharge

5. Wide compatibility

 

Cons:

1. Limited wingspan length (3.5m)

2. Small working table

3. No backup battery

 

The HEISHA VTOL drone charging station is using a container as the base for the drone charging pad and the working table, the strong flexibility, and low cost are catchy. It can charge VTOL drones with no more than 3.5 meters wingspan and works with the VTOL drone from SF Express allowing a flight with up to 160 mins while carrying 10kg goods. The whole process from takeoff, and landing to charging are all automatic. HEISHA drone charging pads can be widely compatible with 2s-12s drones and has a large factory as support to guarantee their production capacity. But if you are looking for a sufficient operation room, the HEISHA VTOL drone charging station may let you down.


These three eVTOL drone charging stations are totally different appearances, Avy and HEISHA VTOL drone charging docks share a similar working process and take automatic as the main principle. Working with software to control VTOL drones remotely are no problem for any of them, but completely working unmanly may take a while. But before then, there still left opportunities for VTOL drones and their charging stations.

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