Insights into VTOL Aircraft Design

Please join us for an online lecture on May 20th, 2021 at 12:00pm EST

Insights into VTOL Aircraft Design

by Dr. Rafi Yoeli

The emergence of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) as the “next frontier” in aerospace innovation, has brought the aerospace industry and especially Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft into the center of public attention. Conquering this uncharted UAM airspace requires new standards and capabilities for VTOL which bring fresh and exciting challenges to today’s and tomorrow’s aerospace engineers. Successfully meeting those challenges requires a solid foundation in the essential principles of VTOL aircraft design. In this lecture which is the first of a series of planned lectures on VTOL aircraft design, Dr. Rafi Yoeli will present his own perspective on the theoretical foundations of VTOL flight, design options for sustainable power in future VTOL aircraft, and an overview of the unique aerodynamics of VTOL flight.  The lecture will also include references to safety and certification standards.

Dr. Yoeli’s career spans decades of aeronautical experience in all aspects of aircraft design and development. For most of the last 20 years, Dr. Yoeli’s work has been devoted to VTOL aerodynamics and configuration design. In the last few years Dr. Yoeli has been deeply involved in the emerging Urban Air Mobility market. One of his designs is the passenger carrying CityHawk with the aim of creating a VTOL aircraft with true “fly anywhere, land anywhere” capability.

It features 100% sustainability, relying on emerging Fuel Cell hydrogen powertrain technologies. Dr. Yoeli has registered 32 patents and patent publications in his name, most in the field of ducted fan aerodynamics. He is also a licensed pilot for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

There is no charge for the Lecture, but attendees are requested to pre-register by May 19th, 2021 here

We welcome our partners and their members: the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Niagara Frontier Section.