User:Aeroguy87/sandbox

= AM-20 =

Development
The AM20 eVTOL was initially developed to study the transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes, providing significant insights into the intricacies of eVTOL flight dynamics. The vehicle's potential extends beyond research, offering practical applications in Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Its design supports efficient, environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional urban transportation. Moreover, the traditional aircraft design approach simplifies pilot training before transitioning to more complex eVTOL systems.

Aircraft Configuration
The AM20 features a hybrid lift-cruise configuration with four fixed-pitch ducted propellers mounted on the outboard sections of the wing and two vectoring propellers on the aft section of the fuselage. This design allows for independent optimization of vertical lift and horizontal cruise modes. The ducted propellers provide 90% of the lift required for vertical flight, while the aft propellers contribute the remaining 10%, enhancing hover efficiency and reducing noise.

The configuration metrics for the AM20 were meticulously designed to optimize both vertical and horizontal flight modes. The use of fixed-pitch ducted propellers aids in maintaining stability and efficiency in hover, while the vectoring propellers facilitate smooth transition and control during forward flight. This design reflects a balance between complexity and performance, aiming to streamline the certification process.

Aerodynamics and Control
The AM20's ducted fans are optimized for rotor speed control, minimizing hover loss and enhancing hover efficiency. During horizontal flight, the aircraft relies entirely on wing-borne lift, with the rotors fully offloaded. This separation of lift mechanisms simplifies the design and improves performance during cruise. The control system employs a combination of fixed-pitch and vectoring propellers to achieve stable hovering and precise pitch adjustments.

The aerodynamic analysis of the AM20 involved both low-fidelity and high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Initial propeller designs were evaluated using Blade Element Theory (BET) and later refined through detailed CFD studies. This iterative process ensured that the propeller geometry achieved optimal performance in both hover and cruise conditions.

Preliminary Design and Analysis
The preliminary design phase involved multiple fidelity analyses, focusing on optimizing the aircraft's configuration for both hover and cruise modes. Key considerations included rotor diameter, duct drag, and hover efficiency. The detailed design phase utilized high-fidelity CFD software to refine the propeller and overall aircraft design, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

The sizing approach for the AM20 followed traditional fixed-wing and rotorcraft design principles. The aircraft's lifting surface area was determined based on desired wing loading and cruise speed, while the tail properties were calculated considering the wing location and fuselage slenderness. Aerodynamic inputs were derived from reference methods and modeled using XFOIL.

Applications
The AM20 eVTOL is designed for multiple applications, including:

Urban Air Mobility (UAM): The AM20 eVTOL is ideally suited for demonstration projects and pilot training in urban air mobility scenarios. Its design allows for practical, real-world testing of UAM concepts, providing critical data on flight dynamics, safety, and efficiency. The traditional control setup makes it an excellent training platform for pilots transitioning to more advanced eVTOL systems.

Cargo Transport: The AM20's compact size and efficient lift-cruise configuration make it perfect for small cargo transport within urban environments. Its ability to take off and land vertically enables it to deliver goods quickly and efficiently, bypassing traffic congestion and reducing delivery times. This capability is particularly beneficial for time-sensitive deliveries and last-mile logistics. Emergency Response: The AM20 can play a crucial role in emergency response scenarios, offering rapid deployment and access to hard-to-reach areas. Its vertical takeoff and landing capability allows it to operate in confined spaces, making it invaluable for delivering medical supplies, evacuating individuals, and supporting disaster relief operations. The aircraft's stable hovering and precise control make it an effective tool in critical situations.

Research: Serving as a testbed for studying eVTOL flight dynamics and certification challenges, the AM20 provides a flexible platform for researchers and engineers. Its modular design and advanced simulation capabilities allow for extensive experimentation and data collection. This research can inform future eVTOL designs, contribute to the development of certification standards, and enhance our understanding of electric aviation technologies.

Recent Developments
In November 2022, a full-scale AM20 eVTOL demonstrator was showcased at an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) conference organized by Incheon International Airport. This event highlighted the progress of the project in collaboration with AeroMech, aimed at developing two AM20 eVTOLs. The AM20 is currently under development with scheduled scale model testing by the end of 2024, followed by full-scale or sub-scale prototypes in 2025. While the current funding and financial backing for the project have not been disclosed, the attention the design has received suggests potential funding either domestically in United States or from Vessel Aerospace or other Korean aerospace establishments.