Next-Gen 9-Seater Air Taxi by Arc Linx P9

 Future shuttle/air-taxi services will quickly become oversubscribed, and the only option for vertiport operators to enhance throughput is with larger capacity aircraft. The Linx, developed by UK company ARC Aero Systems, has a nine-passenger cabin that almost doubles the payload of conventional leading e-VTOL air taxis.

The Linx's 9-seat cabin also compares favorably to the similar-sized AW109 helicopter, which seats six in the cabin and a seventh next to the pilot. Helicopter main and tail rotor drivetrains are mechanically complex, which increases maintenance expenses.

The Linx's single rotor is essentially unpowered (except for the electric spin-up motor, which is used only before takeoff), and the corrosion-proof composite airframe will be light and low drag. While the EIS model will use existing turboprop engines, overall costs are expected to be 40% lower than those of a similar size helicopter.

The nine-seater would have a range of at least 860 km, which could be increased to 1,300 km with an additional fuel tank. Add to this a cruising speed of around 300 kph and the ability to take off and land without the use of specialized runways, and you have an intriguing possibility for urban air transport.

ARC plans to someday install a hydrogen propulsion system into the Linx aircraft. Initially, the hybrid system will use an unidentified turbine engine. For the past year, ARC engineers have been working in stealth mode on the Linx design.

The company claims to have flown a one-third-scale technology demonstrator and is presently expanding its crew to complete the basic design phase of the program. The all-electric P3 will have only one main rotor and will be capable of flying up to 110 kilometers (69 miles) at speeds up to 150 kilometers per hour.

An electric engine spins the rotor head until there is enough speed to turn the rotors, at which time the pilot adjusts the rotor tilt angle for takeoff, after which a pair of pusher propellers and the fixed wing provide horizontal cruise flying. Once airborne, the rotor will be unlocked to function as a wind turbine, generating additional electrical power.

Summary of Arc Linx P9 9-Seater Air Taxi Concept

1. Future shuttle/air-taxi services are expected to face high demand, necessitating larger capacity aircraft for enhanced throughput.
2. The Linx, developed by UK company ARC Aero Systems, is a nine-passenger e-VTOL air taxi designed to address this demand.
3. The Linx's nine-seat cabin nearly doubles the payload of conventional leading e-VTOL air taxis.
4. Compared to similarly sized helicopters like the AW109, the Linx offers a mechanically simpler single rotor, reducing maintenance expenses.
5. The corrosion-proof composite airframe of the Linx is lightweight and low drag, contributing to a 40% lower overall cost compared to similar-sized helicopters.
6. The nine-seater has a range of at least 860 km, extendable to 1,300 km with an additional fuel tank, a cruising speed of around 300 kph, and the ability to take off and land without specialized runways.
7. ARC Aero Systems plans to incorporate a hydrogen propulsion system into the Linx in the future, initially using a hybrid system with an unidentified turbine engine.
8. The company claims to have flown a one-third-scale technology demonstrator and is expanding its team to complete the basic design phase.
9. ARC is also working on an all-electric P3 model with a unique rotor design that functions as a wind turbine, generating additional electrical power once airborne.

*All the image credits to ARC AERO SYSTEMS