First Full-Scale F1 Demonstrator Flies For Honda Honda is a full mobility company with its name attached to vehicles, bikes, outboard engines, boats, business jets and now it is getting into the eVTOL space. They have been quietly advancing their testing program for their eVTOL with the successful testing of a full-scale demonstrator. This was an 8-rotor full-scale demonstrator called 'F1'. That first successful test flight of F1 was conducted in the United States in San Luis Obispo County, California.
Up to this point of the first F1 full-scale demonstrator test in California, the company already accumulated 400 flight tests with sub-scale demonstrators. The company has not been flashy about its achievements so far but it has been moving steadily with its eVTOL program. While there is no concrete timeline for entry-into-service (EIS) it is suggested that they are targeting the 2030s.
The design of the Honda eVTOL calls for eight rotors which provide vertical lift for take-off and landing however, the aircraft also has two additional rotors towards the rear for forward flight. The eVTOL from Honda is expected to conduct inter-city travel for passengers with its extended range capabilities. While it is not seeking to replace business jets or helicopter use for very short trips it is envisioned to complement this system. Honda Global tends to see the link between Air, Land and Sea mobility as a homogenous idea in certain scenarios.
All-electric eVTOL, which fly solely on energy stored in the battery, have a range of around 100 km (approx. 62 miles) and are intended for intra-city transportation, an alternative for taxi use. On the other hand, Honda eVTOL equipped with a hybrid power unit has a range of 400 km (approx. 250 miles), which covers even inter-city (city-to-city) transportation. Honda eVTOL will demonstrate a high level of user-friendliness at the core of the mobility ecosystem Honda is envisioning for the future. For more information: Honda Global www.global.honda ***
