Aurora Flight Sciences is developing an electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to satisfy the nascent aerial urban mobility market. The present paper describes the conceptual design studies and testing performed thus far. Safety, low acoustic signature for community acceptance, and robust handling qualities were deemed essential. Aurora evaluated a large number of concepts drawn from the history of V/STOL aviation, as well as new concepts enabled by distributed electric propulsion. The result of this evaluation was the selection of a 'Lift + Cruise' configuration featuring eight redundant lift rotors and a pusher motor, arranged on a three-lifting-surface layout providing a light yet rigid structure, and a wide cg envelope. A subscale model was designed and flown to retire perceived risk, particularly in the transition phase. Subsequent flight tests and the analysis of data showed ample margins for control, and the inherent robustness of the 'Lift + Cruise' configuration in transition.
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