New Zealand is an amazing country. Not so long ago, she distinguished herself all over the world by being one of the first on the planet to launch an air courier delivery service. The local enthusiasts apparently did not want to stop there and announced the launch of the first flying taxi.
New Zealand prepares to launch the first full-fledged flying taxi, built by Kitty Hawk. Just the other day, the last tests of the aircraft called Cora Hawk were successfully completed. The air taxi, according to the developers themselves, is a hybrid vehicle. The project is funded by Larry Page, one of the founders of the digital giant Google. Testing of the car began in October 2017, but so far information about the project has not been disclosed.
Now the data on the Cora Hawk tests have been officially confirmed. The company has posted on the network a small video demonstrating the capabilities of the machine. The tests took place in the south of New Zealand. The exact start date for the taxi is not yet known, but it is clear that this will happen in the foreseeable future. Initially, taxis will be launched in just one city in the country as part of a pilot project.
The Cora Hawk is not a very large aircraft. Its wingspan is 11 meters. A characteristic feature was the tail with a U-shaped plumage. There are six electric motors on each wing. With their help, the aircraft rises into the air and falls to the ground. Landing and takeoff, by the way, are carried out vertically. There is another propeller behind the cockpit, which is a pusher. The plane is designed for two people.
The Cora has a range of 100 km when the batteries are fully charged. Only electricity is used for operation, which means that the device does not pollute the environment. The taxi can also fly offline. Interestingly and very importantly, the New Zealand government has already authorized the use of the apparatus, provided that all tests are completed perfectly.
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