Vertical Take Off and Landing Aircraft in Development as an Infrastructure Solution for the transportation of goods

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'The VV Plane has the potential to benefit developing countries that lack infrastructure but still require freight transportation,' said Reinhardt. 'My VTOL aircraft will be able to meet this need.'

Romney Marsh, Kent (PRWEB UK) 2 July 2014

4X4 Aviation Limited has a lot to offer the logistics and aviation industry with its novel aircraft design the VV Plane. Development of the new Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft was quickly supported through a crowdfunding campaign. Founded by Thorsten U. Reinhardt, 4X4 Aviation is currently working towards enhancing the flight capabilities of its VV Plane prototypes in anticipation of the aircraft’s use in the private and public sector, to facilitate the transportation of goods without the immediate requirement of infrastructure.

The VV Plane’s electric-gas hybrid design allows it to travel three times the speed at twice the distance of conventional ground transportation. Electric turbines drawing from the onboard generator and energy storage allow for the efficient vertical take off and smooth transition to a horizontal flight. This comes in response to recent publications regarding DARPA’s multimillion US$ X-Plane Project in which four key players including Boeing are competing to radically improve vertical take off and cruise flight.

Goals for the VV Plane include the ability to carry between 10 and 30 tons and to be used with existing cargo transportation facilities, such as ships, trains, and freight trucks. “The VV Plane has the potential to benefit developing countries that lack infrastructure but still require freight transportation,” said Reinhardt. “My VTOL aircraft will be able to meet this need by landing precisely on its freight container and dropping it off at a precise location.”

Interest for a full scale aircraft, has been generated and has come from developing countries such as Ghana, South Africa and across Asia. These countries are struggling to meet infrastructure demand that has and will continue to present limitations to the logistics market. In order to achieve our goals there are still challenges that need to be overcome both from a technological and certification perspective. The Company is planning to present its prototypes under a complete visual rework of the fuselage in mid-August where a selected audience, including the Local MP, Damian Collins will be attending.

4X4 Aviation is set to grow at its current Innovation Centre located at the London Ashford Airport and expects to become a great asset to the local community by increasing the number of jobs. The company plans to develop and commercialize several technologies relating to the VV Planes’ success – even some applications that are outside the aviation industry, such as a combined cycle piston engine, electric turbine technology, and energy storage systems.

About 4X4 Aviation

4X4 Aviation develops aircraft and control software and is striving to revolutionize the aviation industry by making Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) flight commercially viable. The company’s offices are located at London Ashford Airport’s Innovation Centre. For more information about 4X4 Aviation’s technology and products, contact Thorsten U. Reinhardt, at t(dot)reinhardt(at)4x4aviation(dot)com or call +44(0) 1797 322 400.
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