NASA Tests Research Aircraft to Improve Air Taxi Flight Controls

NASA Tests Research Aircraft to Improve Air Taxi Flight Controls

NASA researchers are currently using wind tunnel and flight tests to gather data on an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) scaled-down small aircraft that resembles an air taxi that aircraft manufacturers can use for their own designs. 

By using a smaller version of a full-sized aircraft called the RAVEN Subscale Wind Tunnel and Flight Test (RAVEN SWFT) vehicle, NASA is able to conduct its tests in a fast and cost-effective manner. The small aircraft weighs 38 pounds with a wingspan of 6 feet and has 24 independently moving components.

The testing is ongoing at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

By performing flight research and making its data publicly available, NASA aims to help advance U.S. technology development for safe, quiet, and affordable advanced air mobility operations.

Video Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Duration: 2 minutes, 41 seconds
Release Date: Aug. 14, 2025

#NASA #FAA #Science #Technology #Engineering #Aviation #Aircraft #RAVENSWFT #eVTOL #FlightResearch #UAV #Drones #AircraftManufacturers #AerospaceIndustry #CommercialAviation #NASALangley #LRC #Hampton #Virginia #STEM #Education #HD #Video