A Novel Zero-Zero Safety System for VTOL Aircraft

The advent of multi-rotor, electric VTOL aircraft capable of carrying passengers and providing on-demand personal air transport promises a revolution not only in urban travel, but also in a multitude of other applications which will change the way that a broad range of people carry out their routine work activities. Many of the eVTOL design projects propose to use current ballistic parachute systems in case of any power or control failure; however, any recovery system which (i) gives a Ground Contact Velocity (GCV) of 5 to 7m/s and (ii) will not deploy properly below c. 100 to 150 feet will not be a solution that can satisfy certification requirements for carrying fare-paying passengers above a crowded urban environment. Active VTOL Crash Prevention Ltd (AVCP) is developing a system combining a rapid opening parachute and rocket motors designed to provide a controlled landing at less than 2m/s in any emergency situation.