/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>1449708
I'm not seeing anything in this entire thread that doesn't use energy to maintain loft in any lofty manner whatsoever.

>>1180670
It was literally one of their advertising points a couple years ago. Did the FAA change some rules or did the company change the model?

>>990981
>allow for some batteries

Not in hoverbike formfactor. The Hirobo's HX-1 electric helicopter seems to be a good contender, but it is still a no-show from what I can find. The Volocopter VC200 on the other hand is flying, but battery weight keeps its flight time rather short. EHang 184 MegaDrone quadcopter taxi is still a no-show as well, there's only CGI videos of it online.

Batteries vs liquid fuel isn't even a competition. Fuel out performs batteries in lift efficiency every time. This is due directly to battery weight for power density/energy density. Supercapacitors are getting close to batteries in terms of energy density by weight and are 100s of times better for power density. Once they are lighter than batteries and their energy density is right they should be able to be used to extend ranges for electric flying vehicles a great deal. Though, they may never exceed actual fuel.

All in all, the hoverbike style of vehicle is a real performance hog that eats up lift, energy, and fuel at great expense.