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- Xpeng Land Aircraft Carrier vs Pivotal Helix
Xpeng Land Aircraft Carrier vs Pivotal Helix
Overview Electric Flying Vehicle
|
Model
|
Xpeng Land Aircraft Carrier (LAC)
Pivotal Helix |
|
Manufacturer
|
Xpeng AeroHT (a subsidiary of XPENG Motors)
Pivotal (Formerly Opener Aero) |
|
Announced
|
October 2023
October 2023 |
|
launched
|
November 2024 (first public flight demo), Prototype / Pre-production (mass production targeted for 2026)
2024 |
|
Base Price
|
¥2,000,000 (CNY) ≈ $280,000 USD
190000 |
Electric Flying Vehicle Dimensions & Build
|
Aircraft Type
|
Modular two-part flying car (ground “mothership” + detachable air module)
Light eVTOL Personal Aerial Vehicle (PAV) |
|
Length
|
5.5 m (ground vehicle), 2.0 m (ground vehicle)
4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) |
|
Wingspan / Rotor Diameter
|
4.15 m (13 ft 7 in) |
|
Height
|
1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
|
Empty Weight
|
158 kg (348 lb) |
|
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)
|
258 kg (568 lb) |
|
Passenger Capacity
|
Ground Module: 4 persons Air Module: 2 persons (pilot + passenger)
1 (pilot only) |
|
Cargo Capacity
|
Large internal bay for air module and storage
Minimal (personal items only) |
|
Landing Gear Type
|
Retractable landing struts (air module)
Fixed skid/strut gear (amphibious design) |
Power & Propulsion
|
Battery Type
|
800-V high-voltage lithium-based system
Lithium-ion battery pack |
|
Battery Capacity
|
8 kWh |
|
Charging Input Voltage
|
800 V
120 V (Level 1) / 240 V (Level 2) |
|
Charging Power
|
Fast charging (air module 30 % → 80 % in ~18 min via ground vehicle)
(120 V); Fast ≈ 75 min (240 V) |
|
Charging Time
|
Fast – ~18 min
4.5 hrs |
|
Solar / Hybrid Assist
|
Ground module uses hybrid EREV (range-extender engine)
None |
|
Motor
|
Air module: 8 electric motors (6 rotors + 2 ducted fans)
8 electric motors (one per rotor) |
|
Total Power Output
|
80–100 kW |
|
Propulsion System
|
Electric vertical take-off & landing (VTOL) + forward ducted-fan propulsion
Fixed rotor configuration on tandem wings; entire airframe tilts for transition flight |
|
transmission
|
Direct electric drive
Direct-drive electric motors |
Electric Flying Vehicle Performance
|
Cruising speed
|
101 km/h (63 mph) |
|
Top Speed
|
100 km/h (62 mph) |
|
Maximum Range
|
Ground Module: ≈ 1,000 km (CLTC, hybrid system) Air Module: Supports 5 – 6 flights per full charge
32 km (20 mi) with reserve |
|
Endurance (Flight Time)
|
20–30 minutes |
|
Climb Rate
|
152 m/min (500 ft/min) |
|
Service Ceiling (Max Altitude)
|
1,500 m (5,000 ft) ASL |
|
Takeoff / Landing Type
|
VTOL (vertical take-off & landing)
Vertical Takeoff & Landing (VTOL) |
|
Noise Level (dB)
|
72 dBA (at 150 ft distance) |
|
Flight Modes
|
Manual / Autonomous hybrid control
Hover Mode, Auto Takeoff / Landing, Position Hold, Transition Flight |
Safety & Systems
|
Avionics
|
Multi-source navigation + electronic geofencing
Digital flight panel + HD landing camera + optional ADS-B |
|
Flight Control
|
Triple-redundant fly-by-wire system
Fly-by-wire with triple redundancy and joystick input |
|
Safety Features
|
Parachute recovery system (for up to 1,000 kg)
Redundant motors (can sustain flight with 2 motors failed)
Automated stability control
Fault-tolerant architecture, multiple redundant motors and batteries, envelope protection |
|
Emergency Landing System
|
Integrated parachute + auto-hover descent
Ballistic parachute + amphibious hull (floats on water) |
|
Certifications
|
Type certification process accepted by CAAC (China Civil Aviation Authority)
FAA Part 103 (Ultralight Category – no pilot license required in U.S.) |
Interior & Comfort
|
Seating Layout
|
Ground Module: 4 seats Air Module: 2 seats
Single-seat (enclosed cockpit) |
|
Cabin Type
|
Enclosed panoramic canopy (270° visibility)
Canopy-style enclosure with 270° panoramic view |
|
Infotainment & Displays
|
Digital instrument panels
Digital instrument panel + mobile app for flight planning and data logging |
|
Storage Compartments
|
Rear bay and roof mount for air module equipment
Limited to small personal items |
|
Other Features
|
Automatic air module deployment via rear-loading system
Sliding rail system and foldable rotor arms
fits into a 16-ft trailer for easy ground transport |
Capacities
|
Passenger Capacity
|
Up to 6 (4 ground + 2 air)
1 (pilot only) |
|
Payload Capacity
|
100 kg (220 lb) |
|
Cargo Capacity
|
Large
|
Disclaimer Note
We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
