This initial evaluation of the cost of electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft and their operations supports the feasibility of an electric air taxi vehicle with 4 passengers at a 100 mile range. Stopped rotor and tilt rotor configurations combining airplane and multi-rotor helicopter features were studied for improved cruise efficiency. Electric and fuel powered single main rotor helicopters were also studied for comparison. Compared to the equivalent conventional piston engine helicopter, the electric VTOL configurations reduced total operating cost per seat mile by about 26%.
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