With over 125 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft in various stages of design and even flight test, we thought we would check in on three interesting prospects. The Lift Hexa Lift Aircraft of Austin, Texas promotes its 18-rotor single seater as, “THE WORLDS FIRST PERSONAL FLYING EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE.” Looking a great deal like a skinny Volocopter, the Hexa shares many of its design attributes. It’s “… triply redundant autopilot computer with a single, 3-axis joystick is all that is needed to fly. Or tap on the seven inch touchscreen in “Look mom, no hands!” mode.” According to the firm’s web site, one can learn to fly Hexa with a few hours on a flight simulator and a brief session of personal instruction. If things go wrong, Hexa can maintain flight with six motors out. Airbags and a ballistic parachute will provide a rescue. The four perimeter floats that comprise the landing gear will help soften any impact, as well as enable amphibious …
