Zunum Aero

Zunum Aero develops a hybrid electric aircraft for flights to and from smaller airfields. The company describes its design as pilot optional, so the aircraft can be piloted or flown as a drone.

The cockpit uses fly by wire controls and offers one touch flight modes. The company describes its short take off and climb performance as best in class. The design gives all hours access to small airfields, with quiet variable pitch electric propulsors, quiet regenerative braking and a battery first mode for energy efficient flights.

The powertrain is a series hybrid with a range extender. The battery mass is under 20 percent of maximum take off weight. The site lists a turbogenerator of 500 kW for some variants and a maximum power of 1 MW for others. The company says the powertrain is low maintenance and that the design can be upgraded to future technologies.

The aircraft comes in economy, performance and stretch variants. Published figures include a maximum cruise speed of 340 mph, a range of more than 700 miles, a take off distance of 2,200 feet and a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet. The site lists a rate of climb of 1,600 feet per minute and a stall speed of 73 knots indicated. The maximum take off weight is 11,500 pounds and the maximum payload is 2,500 pounds. Seating is listed as 12 in economy, 9 in premium or 6 in executive layouts.

The site gives environmental and cost figures. Emissions are listed at 0.0 to 0.3 pounds of CO2 per available seat mile, with sideline noise of 65 EPNdB. The stated operating cost is 8 cents per seat mile, or 250 dollars per hour. The site also compares door to door times and fares with road and air options on routes to Whistler, Missoula and Portland.

The company has a press page and press materials, plus a section listing its news coverage. Visitors can join a mailing list to follow progress. The site lists a careers page, and its footer shows copyright dates from 2017 to 2020.

The site describes the aircraft as a future proof, flexible platform that is easy to upgrade. It calls its fault tolerance best in class and describes aviation grade containment, a comfortable and safe cabin and an exceptionally quiet interior.

Services

• Pilot optional cockpit
• Fly by wire controls
• Series hybrid powertrain with range extender
• Quiet electric propulsors
• Low maintenance powertrain
• Economy, performance and stretch variants
• Door to door impact comparisons