HEXA was the first eVTOL aircraft to enter production and pay-per-flight operations in the United States. We’ve produced a fleet of 16 aircraft and have showcased them in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. In 2023, we launched the world’s first pay-per-flight eVTOL operations in Austin, Texas, and in 2024 we launched our 25 city U.S. tour.
In parallel, we’ve been working on the next generation of HEXA. Because type certification is not required for ultralight class vehicles, we can iterate more rapidly like the auto industry with new models every 5-7 years vs. decades for certified aircraft.
We're thrilled to introduce HEXA Gen 2.
HEXA 2 is our first major upgrade since production began in 2021, and incorporates major hardware and firmware updates to our flight control computers, an upgraded powertrain system, new sensors, and structural enhancements. Together, these upgrades significantly boost the performance, reliability, and maintainability of HEXA.
Key Upgrades in HEXA 2:
More powerful Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs)
For the first time, we have custom designed, in-house, our new 200 Amp ESC - leveraging state of the art field oriented control (FOC), which provides for much smoother (sine-wave), more powerful (20%), more efficient (6%), and significantly quieter motor control. Additionally, a native dual-CANbus, RS485, PWM interface offers redundant communications and improved cooling, and upgraded weatherization to IP 64 allows HEXA to operate in more diverse weather conditions including precipitation and condensation.
Larger propellers
HEXA 2 features larger, 42” carbon fiber propellers, resulting in a 10% overall increase in propeller area. 16 degrees of pitch allows for higher thrust at lower RPM and more efficient operations at higher density altitudes. Our new propellers feature winglets, which reduce propeller tip vortices that are major contributors to noise levels.
These powertrain enhancements result in performance improvements including a 33% increase in max thrust, up to 20% increase in flight time, and 15-25% reduction in already low noise levels.
Flight Control Computers
HEXA 2’s upgraded 3x redundant autopilot features a 60% improvement in computational bandwidth, an upgraded ground control station software system, new automation and fine tuning controls, as well as improved thermal management allowing HEXA to fly reliably in extreme temperatures.
Additional upgrades to HEXA’s avionics include improved sensors, providing greater accuracy, reliability, and interference resilience. A new, dual antenna GNSS-Aided Inertial Navigation System combines MEMS inertial sensors, two high-sensitivity GNSS receivers, and advanced Kalman filtering algorithms to provide improved estimates of position, velocity, and orientation. Utilizing two separate GNSS receivers and antennas enables accurate heading measurements without reliance on vehicle dynamics or interference prone magnetic sensors.
And last but definitely not least…
HEXA 2 Extended Range. Coming soon as an option for HEXA 2…
We're thrilled to announce that we’re developing breakthrough, extended range battery packs leveraging the latest lithium battery chemistries. With up to twice the energy density, HEXA 2 ER will have twice the flight time (up to 30 minutes!). HEXA 2 ER is expected to be released in 2025.
We’ve already been testing these new upgrades - in some cases for multiple years. As we finalize integrations, we are retrofitting our existing fleet. Flight operators are training on the new systems, and we anticipate the first HEXA 2 customer flights to take place early Fall 2024.
Don't miss your chance to be among the first to fly HEXA 2 - flights are available for booking now!