Novotech launches SEAGULL hybrid-electric, composites-intensive aircraft
Novel folding-wing, urban air mobility platform begins work toward certification.
Novotech s.r.l. (Naples, Italy) has announced the launch of its new product, the SEAGULL — the first ultralight aircraft featuring an automated folding wing system, hybrid-electric propulsion and extensive use of composites. (See “Multilayer thermoplastic tapes, AFP and resin infusion for more democratic composites”).
“The SEAGULL represents the first Italian step towards the generation of a new urban air mobility [UAM] environment,” says Dr. Marco Barile, CTO at Novotech. “This new mobility is aimed at promoting communication between people by overcoming the current barriers of public and private transportation, while respecting the environment.”
Starting on February 26th, 2021 in Miseno Lake (Bacoli, Italy), Novotech performed several water tests to verify the static and dynamic stability of the SEAGULL during water operations, as well as maximum speed achievable with pure electric, hybrid-electric and endothermic configurations.
“The SEAGULL program began in January 2018 thanks to partial funding from the Ministry of Economic Development under the Call for Law 808/85,” says Barile. “Novotech is currently testing the aircraft and working to start the certification process.”
Related Content
-
PEEK vs. PEKK vs. PAEK and continuous compression molding
Suppliers of thermoplastics and carbon fiber chime in regarding PEEK vs. PEKK, and now PAEK, as well as in-situ consolidation — the supply chain for thermoplastic tape composites continues to evolve.
-
Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
-
Materials & Processes: Resin matrices for composites
The matrix binds the fiber reinforcement, gives the composite component its shape and determines its surface quality. A composite matrix may be a polymer, ceramic, metal or carbon. Here’s a guide to selection.
