Participated in the presentation of the new business plan “SCAI28” by MASC and a tour of the new e-VTOL aircraft at Konan Airport!
On July 3, 2024, in Konan Airport, Okayama, we participated in the presentation of “SCAI28” project by General Incorporated Association MASC (hereinafter MASC) for the commercialization of VTOL in the Setouchi area and the newly installed aircraft V2000CG (manufactured by AUTOFLIGHT, China) for the project was on display.
On July 3, “SCAI28” was selected as a VTOL social implementation promotion project by Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City and Hyogo Prefecture, with the aim of creating a more free and active society for air transport in the Kansai and Setouchi areas.
“SCAI28” is an abbreviation for “Setouchi Community AAM Infrastructure 2028” and is a new business plan by MASC, which aims to commercialize VTOL in the Setouchi area by around 2028. Although there are many islands of various sizes in the Setouchi area, and the region is blessed with rich resources and industries, the region has problems with a declining population, an ageing population and widening transport disparities. MASC aims to solve the problems in the Setouchi area by using Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), a new air transport system attracting a lot of attention.
The newly installed aircraft, V2000CG (manufactured by AUTOFLIGHT), is a pilotless aircraft, which is categorized as an aircraft with a structure that can seat a person but has equipment that can fly without an on-board pilot.
The tour of the actual aircraft and the inspection of each function of the aircraft, including an actual inspection with the propeller rotating, are described below.
Tour of actual aircraft
It is a large aircraft with a length 11.5 m, width 15 m, height 3.3 m and maximum take-off weight 2,000 kg, but the propeller rotation is very quiet because the power source is electric.
(*It is difficult to hear due to strong winds. Sorry).
It has 10 propellers for lift and 3 for propulsion, and has a cruising speed of 162 km/h in fixed-wing mode. This is a little slower than a helicopter, as a general helicopter can fly at 180-200 km/h, but compared to a car it is able to fly in a direct line, allowing it to travel much faster.
This is the propeller and tail wing used for flying in fixed-wing mode.
This is a propeller for lift, used during vertical take-off and landing.
Forward wing. A pitot tube is installed at the tip of this wing.
Both side wings. It was a valuable opportunity to see the detailed structure closely.
As it is used as a cargo vehicle, it is normally designed without seats, but this time it was on display with seats for the ceremony.
It is large enough to seat 5 people.
As a pilotless aircraft, no pilot is on board.
It flies over pre-planned flight routes by remote control.
It was a very valuable opportunity to see the aircraft in China, where drone and VTOL aircraft development is progressing.
We will continue to post about AeroVXR activities in the future, so look forward to the next edition!