The startup company Phractyl is developing a flying taxi prototype with bird-like legs, a cabin, and tilting wings, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 180 km/h.
Phractyl’s engineers have opted for a unique bird-like wing design instead of the standard wide flat wings commonly used in the aviation industry for their flying taxi, the Macrobat. The broad tail and landing gear also contribute to giving the vehicle a shape reminiscent of a bird spreading its wings.
The Phractyl engineering team is preparing to produce a flyable prototype of the Macrobat. Their goal is to build an efficient, green, and clean machine powered by electric thrust. However, they emphasize that battery technology still has a long way to go before it can provide power for current flights.
During takeoff, the Macrobat uses its landing gear to lift the passenger cabin upward and then tilts backward to create the appropriate angle for the wings. The thrust system will activate, generating the necessary lift for the vehicle to take off. Unlike many flying taxis on the market, the Macrobat will take off and land nearly vertically (NVTOL).
The Macrobat flying taxi mimics the shape of a bird. (Photo: Phractyl).
In the air, the landing gear retracts to reduce drag, and the Macrobat will fly like a conventional airplane. The design team states that with a payload of 150 kg, the Macrobat has a range of 150 km at a maximum speed of 180 km/h. According to Phractyl, the unique landing gear with good traction allows the Macrobat to land on rough terrain. However, this also means that the landing process must occur at very low speeds; otherwise, the aircraft could tip over due to momentum.
Phractyl is exploring arrangements and applications for the thrust system, such as using a thrust motor on each wing or a series of motors. The Macrobat is designed to be controlled by a pilot in the cabin or remotely from the ground. Phractyl is also constructing the flying taxi using sustainable materials in a modular form for easy replacement of components.
