Airspeeder is the world’s first racing series for electric flying cars. To ensure the safety of the race operations, there are a number of elements that need to be considered.
First of all, there is need to implement a validated safety case designed to ensure that the Airspeeder is ultimately fit for purpose and safe to operate, and all the race staff are appropriately trained. The functional safety of the vehicle needs to be considered to ensure that the vehicle operates as intended.
Safety needs to be assured by making sure that the crashworthiness of the vehicle is sound and protects the occupants of the aircraft. Pilots and all the associated crew and race control staff need to be appropriately trained in radio communications to ensure that there is no confusion with input from the pilots and engineers.
Close but safe air racing is assured through latest LiDAR and radar technologies that create virtual force fields around the sport’s cutting edge quadcopter format flying cars. Rapid hair-pin turning manoeuvrability is delivered using a multicopter layout. This also enhances stability while electronic speed control systems empower pilots to exploit the full potential of advanced electric powertrains.
Airspeeder’s first unmanned air races (EXA Series) were held in 2022 and featured a grid of multirotor unmanned Airspeeder Mk3 racing craft. The best pilots from drone racing will utilise the latest RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft systems) in aerial battles across the globe.
