Zeva’s new design Z2 still flies like ‘Superman,’ but more efficiently

Zeva Aero, a designer and manufacturer of personal air vehicles based in the U.S., has launched its newest prototype aircraft, the Z2.

The company first designed and created a sub-scale prototype called Zero (Zero-emissions Electric Vertical Aircraft) with the ultimate goal of creating a full-sized production aircraft to provide alternative options to people for their daily commute. It was designed from the ground up to compete in Boeing's GoFly competition. The company plans to go to market with vehicles that are not limited by the extreme requirements of the GoFly rules.

To that end, Zeva has designed Z2. It has a wider stance and swings larger propellers, improving stability on the ground and in the air and providing more efficient flight than its predecessor.

The Z2 is a single-passenger eVTOL aircraft that can switch between hover and forward flight modes while traveling at a leisurely 160 mph (258 kph). Flying the aircraft manually, remotely, or autonomously is all options that are currently accessible. The aircraft is a tailsitter with four electric motor-driven propellers. The aircraft's maximum cargo weight is 220 lb (100 kg), and its range is 50 miles (80 km). The aircraft uses a battery as a source of power.

The aircraft is intended for military operations, freight deliveries, search and rescue operations, and personal transportation.

Looking like a flying saucer

The Z2's blended-wing design gives it the appearance of a flying saucer. According to the manufacturer, Z2 combines the greatest aspects of a multicopter with a streamlined wing for increased efficiency and range. The aircraft, a tailsitter, turns to a horizontal posture when it transitions to forward flight from a vertical starting position. As a result, during takeoff and when the aircraft transitions to forward flight, the pilot, or passenger, is in a standing position.

The company is currently concentrating on taking its eVTOLs off the ground. Zeva successfully completed test flights with both an artificial passenger and without any personnel aboard its Zero demonstration, utilizing its autonomous option, which will be available in the future.

Zeva's aim in two years is to obtain an FAA airworthiness certificate, and sell 500 vehicles for $250,000 each, thus generating $125 million in revenue by 2025.

The company's ambitious vision for the eVTOL industry is to start eVTOL taxi services in selected metropolitan areas by 2025, widespread eVTOL usage by 2030, personal eVTOL ownership by 2035, and eVTOLs replacing cars as the primary transportation method, and eVTOL ownership becoming the norm by 2040.

As we said, the timeline Zeva envisions is really ambitious, but it looks like a possible vision considering the breakthrough developments in aviation. Let's keep it between us, but we still long for flying cars.