Inquire of the majority of individuals about their ideal future, and it is probable that they would envision flying cars. From the animated series, The Jetsons, to the Star Wars films, the idea of driving a car through the air has always been a part of our imagination for everyday life. Fortunately, the wait for this technology may not be much longer as numerous companies are currently working on developing flying vehicles on a global scale.
The Philippine News Agency recently reported that a German air mobility company will be establishing its initial Southeast Asian network in the Philippines. In simpler terms, the company plans to create a fleet of flying cars or eVTOLs within the country. This means that in the near future, Filipinos may have the opportunity to use flying taxis for various purposes such as visiting family, commuting to work, or discovering the countless islands of the Philippines.
What is our understanding of PH flying cars?
During the Singapore Airshow, Airways Publishing stated that Lilium and PhilJets, a local aviation company, signed a memorandum of understanding.
A partnership was established to introduce eVTOLs or flying cars to the Philippines and other areas in the ASEAN region.
According to Lilium’s chief commercial officer Sebastien Borel, our collaboration with PhilJets will enhance our presence in Asia, specifically in Southeast Asia, by introducing the Lilium Jet to the region.
According to him, the Philippines is an ideal location for eVTOLs to efficiently link numerous islands with sustainable and swift air transportation.
According to the PNA, PhilJets has signed an MOU to purchase 10 Lilium jets. PhilJets chairman Thierry Tea expressed pride in partnering with Lilium to revolutionize the mobility in the Philippines using eVTOLs.
The Lilium Jet’s capabilities make it a perfect fit for the Philippines, given its expanding economy, geographical location, and thriving tourism sector, as stated by the speaker.
Understanding eVTOLs
The concept of flying cars or eVTOLs has gained popularity since 2022. An article by Inquirer USA post provides further information on this topic, explaining that eVTOL stands for “electric vertical takeoff and landing.”
In contrast to airplanes, eVTOLs are not required to accelerate on a runway in order to achieve the necessary speed for takeoff. Instead, eVTOLs utilize rotors to lift off and move forward, similar to a helicopter.
The letter “e” in eVTOL indicates the use of an electric motor, similar to those found in Tesla cars. As a result, the adoption of electric flying vehicles could significantly decrease the carbon footprint of the Philippines.
The V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft demonstrates the Tilt-thrust method, where the wings have rotors similar to a helicopter. Once in flight, the wings can rotate the rotors forward to function as a regular airplane. The Lift and cruise method is similar to a helicopter, using multiple rotors for lift and a fixed motor for propulsion. In contrast, the Multirotor system, seen in some eVTOLs, operates like a remote-controlled drone, utilizing only fixed rotors for lift and forward movement.