Modern-Aviation

The Aerofex Aero-X is essentially a flying bike and looks a little bit like a Landspeeder from Star Wars. It can carry two passengers up to 10 feet off the ground, so not exactly stratospheric heights, but Aerofex sees it being used for search and rescue, border patrol or surveying. Or you can take it to an open area and have some fun. When it launches, Aerofex says it will cost a "fraction of the most basic airplane or helicopter".

Platform
The Aero-X is our take on the next-generation tandem-duct platform. Flying up to 10 feet off the ground at 45 miles per hour, the Aero-X is a surface-effect craft that rides like a motorcycle - an off road vehicle that gets you off the ground.

The Aero-X can be adapted for a variety of uses: surveying, search and rescue, border patrol, disaster relief, agricultural, ranching, rural transportation and...
Because it responds to your movements just as a motorcycle would, the Aero-X is intuitive to fly. And as it is built with very few moving parts, its cost of ownership is a fraction of even the most basic airplane or helicopter.

Performance
Occupancy: 2 persons
Altitude: 0 to 12 feet above surface level
Airspeed: 0 to 45 mph (72 kmh)
Takeoff Speed: 0 mph
Useful Load: 310 lbs (140 kgs)
Duration: 1.25 hours

Specifications
Dimensions: Length: 14.8 feet (4.5 m)
Width: 6.8 feet (2.1 m)
Height: 4.1 feet (1.25 m)
Dry weight: 785 lbs (356 kg)
Fuel: automotive gasoline

Design Features
Intuitive pilot interface
Fixed-pitch carbon fiber fans
Four-wheel gear with castoring aft wheels
Two-position control bars
Carbon fiber composite primary structure

Performance
Max Speed: 45mph in the air
Max Altitude: 10 feet
Engine: Normally aspirated three-rotor rotary engine
Range: 1 hour 15 minutes flight time

Safety Features
Vertical take-offs and landings without runways or forward speed
Ducts shroud rotating fans from ground personnel and obstacles
3:2 engine redundancy
Powertrain monitoring system
Redundant control system
Roll bar
Whole vehicle airbags

Optional Features
Whole vehicle airbags
Floatation pontoons for water operations
Mounting, USB, and power provisions for auxiliary equipment
DOT approved transport trailer