Overview and Research on Airworthiness and Safety of Electrical Propulsion and Battery Technologies in eVTOL

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">This overview and study article scrutinizes the evolution and challenges of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), with a primary focus on airworthiness and safety certification. The paper discusses key issues such as high-energy-density aviation-grade batteries and the light weighting of electrical propulsion systems. Utilizing scientific models and real-world data, the study outlines the required battery technology and electrical propulsion specifications for eVTOLs with effective commercial load capabilities. For eVTOLs operating in the 300 km range, aviation-grade batteries must achieve energy densities between 300-600 wh/kg. For those covering a 600 km range, the energy density requirements exceed 600 wh/kg. Compliance with stringent safety standards, including triple certification by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 23, is imperative. This article conducted research and offered flowchart of the complicated FAA standard, which is rare in existing articles. This article also proposed better platform which is more conducive to testing the propulsion and battery systems as well as the overall design of electric aircraft, especially eVTOLs. By establishing this more advanced platform, we aim to engage industrial partners both in China and internationally in various aspects such as propulsion technology, battery and material technology, and the overall design, manufacturing, and operation of eVTOL to meet airworthiness and safety requirements.</div></div>