Decoding the Alphabet Soup of Electric Aircraft: From VTOL to H2eCTOL
Key Ideas
  • The article discusses the evolution of aircraft terminology in the electric aviation industry, from traditional VTOL and CTOL to modern terms like eVTOL, eCTOL, and H2eCTOL.
  • The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) has played a significant role in advocating for and developing vocabulary to support the growing electric aviation sector.
  • The introduction of terms like eVTOL and eCTOL has facilitated the classification of different types of electric aircraft, with a focus on the use of electric motors rather than specifying the power source as only battery electric.
  • While hydrogen-electric aircraft acronyms like H2eVTOL and H2eCTOL are technically viable, the complexity, weight, volume, and cost associated with hybrid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft make them less likely candidates for adoption.
The article delves into the evolution of aircraft terminology in the context of electric aviation, emphasizing the importance of a standardized vocabulary to promote understanding and avoid confusion in the industry. Over the past decade, there has been a surge of interest in electric aviation propulsion, leading to the creation of new terms to classify different types of aircraft. The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) has been instrumental in advocating for electric aviation and developing terminology to support the industry's growth. Terms like eVTOL and eCTOL have become standard in the field, denoting electric vertical takeoff and landing and electric conventional takeoff and landing, respectively. These terms have simplified the categorization of electric aircraft, focusing on the use of electric motors rather than specifying a particular power source. Additionally, the article explores the introduction of hydrogen-electric aircraft acronyms like H2eVTOL and H2eCTOL, highlighting their technical feasibility. However, the article notes the challenges associated with hybrid hydrogen fuel cell aircraft, citing issues related to weight, volume, complexity, and cost. Despite the potential for H2eSTOL designs, the technological need for a hydrogen fuel cell-powered short takeoff and landing aircraft seems limited. The article also touches upon terms like urban air mobility (UAM), regional air mobility (RAM), and advanced air mobility (AAM), showcasing the diverse terminology used in the electric aviation sector. Ultimately, the article suggests that simplicity in terminology often leads to longevity in the industry, hinting at future developments and potential convergence or emergence of new terms.
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