Ascendance Flight Technologies Atea

The Atea is a fan-in-wing hybrid VTOL aircraft being developed by Ascendance Flight Technologies. Sub-scale prototype flight tests of the aircraft began in 2018, and full-scale flight tests have been planned for 2023, the funding for which has now been received. Entry into service is expected in 2026, with certification being sought from EASA under the SC-VTOL category.

Structure and Powertrain

The Atea seats four passengers and a pilot inside the composite aerostructure to be supplied by Solvay and Airborne. The aircraft features a large panoramic viewing window and tricycle wheeled landing gear. The wings are arranged in a canard formation and the aircraft has a T-tail at the rear of the fuselage. Embedded within the wings are eight lift fans, four to the front and four to the rear, propulsion is provided by two propellers, one at the nose of the aircraft and one fixed to the front side of the T-tail. Power for all fans and propellers is to come from a hybrid system that will utilize jet fuel and batteries to power electric motors supplied by Evolito, providing an up to 80% reduction in emissions. Furthermore, the aircraft features a modular design which will allow for future compatibility with hydrogen and SAF fuelled propulsion technologies.

Two separate sources of power on-board will provide the aircraft with a degree of redundancy. The aircraft is being engineered to meet the same level of safety requirements as current conventional aviation. Atea will also be capable of landing conventionally should this be required.

Specifications

Avionics

The Atea features a fly-by-wire avionics system, with no autonomy planned.