Zunum Aero ZA10

History of the Zunum Aero ZA10

Zunum Aero, an aircraft startup based in scenic Kirkland, Washington, has its current (2018) stable of three different hybrid electric airliners, including the regional variant "ZA10". The ZA10 project was proposed in April 2017 and launched in early October 2017.

The current plan is for an airworthy version to be available for testing in 2020, with first deliveries expected in 2022.

The technology behind the aircraft consists of a single gas turbine driving a pair of generators as well as wing-mounted battery packs for consistent, reliable, extended and efficient flight reducing operating costs for regional airliner types by up to 60% %. to 80%.

The current ZA10 design features a traditional layout and sleek, aerodynamically refined body. Propulsion units (electric ducted fans) are mounted on short wings along the outer rear of the fuselage to reduce noise and centrally direct the power. The nose has a short down-sloping nose cone with a two-piece windshield for side-by-side pilots (unmanned options are also being considered). The wing main aircraft is set low along the sides of the fuselage and is positioned amidships.

Each main aircraft has a slightly upwardly curved wingtip. The rear wing uses a vertical rear wing that curves outwards, eliminating the need for a horizontal plane. The sides of the hull are dotted with rounded rectangular windows. Access doors are located in the front and rear of the passenger area.

Conventional retractable tricycle landing gear is used for ground operations.

In dimensions, the aircraft has a wingspan of 52 feet, a length of 42 feet, and a height of 18 feet. Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) was set at 11,500 lbs.

In addition, there is fully digital responsive fly-by-wire (FbW) control, single-touch interface, optimized power delivery, variable pitch motorized drives, and built-in system modularity for future additions/upgrades??.

In the basic seating configuration, the aircraft can carry approximately 27 people in quiet comfort, including 6 executive seats, 9 premium seats and 12 economy seats. The plane is touted to have an operating cost of 8 cents per mile ($250 per hour).

Current estimated performance specifications call for the aircraft to have a range in excess of 700 miles and fly nearly 340 miles per hour. Takeoff distance is 2,200 feet and service is capped at 25,000 feet. The climb rate is 1,600 feet per minute.

This would give the plane enough range to go from Memphis to Chicago or New York and Seattle to San Jose (coast-to-coast travel is not currently offered).

A Rockwell Turbo Commander aircraft was purchased from Zunum as a flight test bed for the project.

Specification

Basic

Production

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Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes