{"id":12023,"date":"2019-01-21T10:49:39","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T17:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/?p=12023"},"modified":"2019-01-21T10:49:39","modified_gmt":"2019-01-21T17:49:39","slug":"beta-technologies-testing-actual-prototype","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cafe.foundation\/blog\/beta-technologies-testing-actual-prototype\/","title":{"rendered":"Beta Technologies Testing Actual Prototype"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kyle Clark heads Beta Technologies<\/a>, an aircraft company flying under the radar until recently.\u00a0 Beta\u2019s prototype, based on an RDD LX7<\/a>, uses eight electric motors driving one fixed-pitch propeller each.\u00a0 These are mounted on rotating tubular arms that allow vertical takeoffs and landings with the propellers in horizontal orientation and a claimed 170 mph cruise when in vertical orientation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

VT Digger,<\/em> an independent non-profit journal, reports, \u201cUsing homemade flight simulators, an array of 3D printers, a machine shop, and a team of nearly 40 staff and contracted engineers, Clark has big plans for his self-funded company, which occupies a hangar and other buildings at the Burlington airport. He intends to stand out for creating an aircraft with a power system that enables it to achieve the longest flight range amongst its peers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2019We\u2019re going to develop the world\u2019s longest-range, best-performing aircraft,\u2019 he said.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wired<\/em>, in a snarky mode, describes the Beta Ava as looking, \u201clike what Tony Stark would build if he had an\u00a0Edward Scissorhands<\/a>\u00a0phase.\u201d\u00a0 Despite the spindly nature of the landing gear and the multiple flailing blades, Ava is capable of flight on a blizzardy day with lake-effects snow blowing in its wake.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Beta\u2019s prototype aircraft flying in Plattsburgh. The company is now developing a commercial aircraft at its hangar at the Burlington International Airport. The new craft, scheduled to fly in a year, has a different configuration but uses core technologies developed in the prototype, said company founder Kyle Clark. Photo courtesy of Beta Technologies<\/p><\/div>\n

Common Sponsorship with an Electric R44<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sponsored in part by Lung Biotechnology<\/a>, Beta\u2019s program will lead to delivery of human lungs from hospital to hospital on inter-city routes.\u00a0 The same program with OC Helicopters and Tier One Engineering resulted in a demonstration that covered 30 miles at 80 mph and an altitude of 800 feet.\u00a0 The team won a Guinness World Record for the feat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Martine Rothblatt (left) with Tier 1 electrified Robertson R44 and development team<\/p><\/div>\n

Martine Rothblatt, head of the biotech firm, flew the mission with Ric Webb, founder of OC Helicopters in Orange County California.\u00a0 That was on a nice, sunny day typical of SoCal.<\/p>\n

Ava\u2019s ability to maintain a stable run down a snowy runway presages longer flights in adverse weather \u2013 a significant capability for medical deliveries.\u00a0\u00a0 Ava\u2019s 4,000 pound gross weight will allow medical personnel to accompany their precious cargo. Martine Rothblatt\u2019s endorsement of these machines gives a certain gravitas to both endeavors.<\/p>\n