Textron Aviation Accelerates Its eVTOL Agenda Textron Aviation is moving swiftly to make its presence felt in the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector. The airframer which traditionally focuses on utility/executive turboprops as well as Super light to midsize executive jets is making big moves to add eVTOL to its portfolio. This has all happened relatively quickly by making special and key acquisitions to help the company leap-frog the early development stages. Towards the end of the first quarter last year, the airframer signaled its intentions by forming eAviation. That is the division that will specifically focus on AAM development and other electric aviation endeavours. In the second quarter of this year, the company acquired electric aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel which is widely known for being pioneering in electric aviation. The eVTOL is presently named the Nexus and will be further developed alongside Textron's helicopter arm, Bell but still within the eAviation package.
They are already working on the first prototype of the Nexus and hope to have it flying by 2024. Early numbers suggest the craft could be able to fly up to 100 nautical miles on a charge with a weight of around 8,000 lbs which is a bit larger than what we are presently seeing by other competitors. Speed is being calculated to be in the region of 120-knots. Earlier versions for the Nexus looked markedly different to what is being presented now by Textron. The early version of the Nexus notably had ducted/shrouded props now sporting more conventional tilting rotors like many other eVTOL competitors. Above is the latest refinement of the Nexus design. For more information: Textron Aviation Inc One Cessna Blvd, Wichita, KS www.cessna.com ***
