A hot -hearted "flying car" development race, the Western government strengthens support -North American Drone Consultant Ryoji Koike-
Analyze the business of Bell Nexus
The reason why aircraft giants are giving the heat of EVTOL is expected to have a new market in the air industry, "UAM (urban air traffic system)".UAM is a general term for business that uses aircraft for short -distance movement, but there are various business models.The most promising is the transfer business between the airport and the city center.
For example, Narita Airport is used by 42.6 million (2018) annually.Most of them use buses and trains from Tokyo or in Tokyo.It is very rough, but if 3 % of the total use EVTOL instead of trains or buses, there are almost 130,000 annual users.You can expect 10,000 airport pick -up customers a month.It takes about 1 hour by train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, but it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for EVTOL.If the passenger turnover rate is increased, it will be possible to operate at a price like a hire.
If the EVTOL transfer service for the city is starting at major airports around the world, tens of thousands of EVTOL demand can be expected.Major aircraft manufacturers can no longer change their eyes.
Bell Nexus is a typical example of the aircraft under development for this transfer service.In January 2019, the aircraft, which was seen at CES (international home appliance trade fair) in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a variable wing type EVTOL (Vectored Trust), one of the two major helicopter manufacturers.
The propeller is contained in a cylindrical frame called a duct to reduce noise and ensure safety, but that diameter alone is about 2..Reach 5 meters.The six ducts are summarized around the aircraft, and in horizontal flights, you get buoyancy with duct and short wings.The actual size was exhibited this time, but it will be a few years later that Nexus will start the test flight.
As you can see from the real thing, Bell Nexus is a huge body that fits in the standard heliport size of 40 feet (12 meters).It is doubtful that the total weight is 3250 kg, "Do you need this giant?"
2名乗りのAirbus社 A3 VahanaやBoeing NeXt社PAV（passenger air vehicle）が軽乗用車なら、Bell Nexusはトラックといったイメージだろう。
Why did Bell stick to such a large and robust specification?That's because we aimed to maximize safety and operation time.
Commercial aircraft take off with a few winds, rain, and snow.If so, the airport transfer service cannot be stopped as long as the airport runs.Considering the aircraft that can withstand the same harsh weather conditions, it will be a sturdy aircraft like Bell Nexus.
In that case, there is a question that "you can do a transfer service with an existing helicopter."In the United States, BLADE is developing a helicopter transfer service in Brazil.
Helicopter problems are noise and safety.In particular, the noise problem that exceeds the subway and the like is serious and cannot land in the city center frequently.The biggest reason that Bell Nexus adopted the duct system lies in "reduction of noise."The aircraft aims to be on the subway or highway (100 lighter or less), and if it is realized, it will be possible to take off in the middle and high -rise buildings in the city center.
Also, helicopters have only one rotor, so if a failure occurs, it will lead to a crash crisis.On the other hand, Bell Nexus with six rotors does not crash immediately.Theoretically, Evtol with multiple rotors is more secure than helicopters.
However, if it becomes a robust aircraft like Nexus, the price is expected to be on par with a large helicopter or small private jet.It is not a price that ordinary individuals can buy.
