Originally Posted by
jimjim1
I do not have the capacity to do the numbers but I have been thinking for a while that a helicopter with an electric transmission may well be a viable option real soon now. The next question is, does it look like a helicopter or a say four (or more) fan drone?
If the latter, no more Jesus nut, no more single points of failure (close anyway).
On the failure mode front, an electric quadcopter type design eliminates some but creates new ones. The potential for asymmetric lift conditions and very low inertia (or even inherently self-slowing if the motors are not clutched) are a few that come to mind immediately. That isn't to say they cannot be overcome and the extreme reliability and simplicity of a well-designed electric motor are huge benefits in that regard.
I would just like to say that while I have some doubts about this HX50 thing I do sincerely hope it lives up to the hype and is very successful.