Pegasus E Flying Car (VTOL)

The design process for the Pegasus E was initiated with a clear focus on solving key mobility challenges in both urban and remote environments - The process began with extensive market research to understand the specific needs of emergency services and personal transportation, setting the foundation for a vehicle that could seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructures without requiring runways.

To achieve this, a proprietary new manufacturing method was developed for the semi-monocoque chassis. This method significantly shortened production time to less than two days and required only minimal labour, avoiding the use of heavy composite manufacturing machinery. The chassis utilises aircraft-grade 6061 and 7075 T6 aluminium, certified 4130 Chromoly steel tubes, and advanced pre-preg carbon fibre to balance structural integrity for road use with the necessary lightness for flight.

A key feature of the Pegasus E is its hybrid power system, which uses both electric and petrol power to extend flight durations significantly beyond current eVTOL capabilities, addressing the common issue of range anxiety. The safety design includes emergency autorotation capabilities and a robust chassis that comply with the strictest CASA Airworthiness standards.

The vehicle’s controls are designed for ease of transition between modes, featuring automatic contractible controls that switch interfaces in three seconds, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency. The design also prioritised aerodynamics and aesthetics, incorporating dramatic supercar-like side intake pods and exposed carbon fibre panels that reflect a high-tech, functional styling suited for both air and road travel.

Throughout the design process, every decision was guided by the initial brief’s demands for safety, efficiency, and dual-functionality. The Pegasus E’s final implementation exceeded these criteria, demonstrating a professional execution of design that meets and surpasses the expectations for innovative air mobility solutions, ready for both emergency and personal applications.

The Pegasus E, the world’s first truly drivable VTOL, no runway required, enhances its versatility across various environments and operational requirements. The Pegasus E’s design prioritises user-friendly reliable operation, with key features such as seamless and safe transition between modes, a swift three-second switch from drive to fly, with automatic contractible controls, ensuring the right interface for each mode. This compact design, standing at 1.9 metres, fits easily into standard parking spaces, making it as practical in city settings as it is in remote areas.

The vehicle’s aesthetics merge functionality with the dramatic. It features aerodynamically efficient, supercar-like side intake pods and exposed carbon fibre panels that not only reduce drag but also give the Pegasus E a distinctive, super-car appearance. This design supports the vehicle’s dual functionality while maintaining a sleek and modern profile with practical features that appeal to and meet the requirements of both personal users and specialty forces.

CASA Airworthy Registered, the Pegasus E incorporates advanced safety features such as the ability to auto-rotate to safety in case of power failure. Its semi-monocoque chassis, crafted from aircraft-grade 6061 and 7075 T6 aluminium and certified 4130 Chromoly steel tubes, provides a robust yet lightweight frame that balances structural integrity for road use with the lightness required for flight.

The hybrid system of the Pegasus E combines electric and petrol power, enabling a substantial flight range of 480 km on 60 litres of fuel and a driving range of 70 km at 120km/hr on battery power alone. This dual-system approach not only extends the vehicle’s range but also exemplifies clever integration of technologies to reduce environmental impact.

Victorian Automotive Innovation: The Pegasus E demonstrates how integrated, thoughtful design, engineering, and manufacturing approaches can be applied to present new solutions to complex transportation challenges for global markets.

The Pegasus E introduces a new approach in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility market, the world’s first truly drivable VTOL flying car. This innovative project solves the pressing need for rapid, versatile transportation in environments that lack the infrastructure for traditional aircraft and road vehicles. It eliminates the requirement for runways, allowing vertical take-off and landing in urban spaces and remote locations.

Pegasus E’s innovative hybrid design features a dual power system that combines electric and petrol power. This system significantly extends the vehicle’s operational range—achieving up to 480 km on 60 litres of fuel and providing up to 70 km of road travel at 120 km/hr on battery power alone. Such capabilities are ground-breaking, particularly in the eVTOL sector, where typical flight durations are significantly shorter (~30minutes).

Moreover, the design incorporates a semi-monocoque chassis made from high-grade materials like aircraft-grade 6061 and 7075 T6 aluminium, and certified 4130 Chromoly steel tubes, which ensures structural integrity for road use while maintaining the lightness required for flight. The chassis itself is an innovation, manufactured in less than two days using a novel process that requires minimal labour and no heavy machinery—this not only streamlines production but also reduces its environmental footprint.

The Pegasus E also features automatic contractible controls that allow for a swift transition between driving and flying modes in just three seconds, enhancing usability and safety. This user-centred design ensures that the transition is seamless and intuitive, catering to the needs and circumstances of its users, which include both private individuals and specialty forces like police, paramedics, and border control.

Each of these features demonstrates how the Pegasus E has not only solved existing problems through innovative thinking but has also created new opportunities in the mobility sector, making it a landmark project in both design and functionality.

The Pegasus E, as the world’s first truly drivable VTOL flying car, has a substantial impact on society, the economy, and the environment. It solves critical mobility challenges by enabling fast, effective access to operational areas as well as enabling access to previously unreachable locations for specialty forces like police, paramedics, and border control, significantly enhancing emergency response times and public safety.

This vehicle’s hybrid system, which combines electric and petrol power, reduces environmental impact while extending operational range to 450 km fly-time on fuel and 70 km drive-time on battery power. The manufacturing process of its semi-monocoque chassis, requiring minimal labour and no heavy machinery, aligns with sustainable practices by reducing material waste and energy use.

Economically, the Pegasus E is positioned competitively in the global air mobility market, which is rapidly expanding and projected to reach up to $1 trillion by 2040. With its innovative design and efficient functionality, the Pegasus E offers unique value in the air mobility market at $330k USD, significantly lower than runway-dependent competitor offerings priced between $550k and $1 million with limited flight times (30-minute ranges). This pricing strategy not only makes the Pegasus E more accessible but also challenges traditional players in the market, including major companies like Boeing, Airbus, and Uber.

This project showcases Victorian capability in automotive design, innovation, and manufacturing. As Australia negotiates a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the UAE, the Pegasus E positions Australian-manufactured vehicles favourably for entry into new international markets opening to the emerging air mobility category, promoting economic growth and showcasing Australian innovation in design and technology.