What is the APELEON Project?
APELEON SCALAR – the drone designed for next level logistics – is at the forefront of a new era in air transport. Engineered by VOLARE GmbH, an Austrian start-up, the APELEON project develops a vertical take-off and landing aircraft that revolutionizes access to rural areas. The aircraft connects remote regions to city hotspots where conventional ground-based transport can no longer keep up… With decades of aviation experience backing its advanced VTOL design, the project combines the best qualities of an aeroplane and a helicopter. Both design philosophies merge to create an aircraft that offers efficient cruise performance along with the unique capability of vertical take-off and landing, eliminating the need for massive ground infrastructure.
Main Benefits & Key Figures
APELEON’s design and engineering bring tremendous benefits, ensuring that each flight is efficient and emission-free. The following key figures and facts highlight the project’s impressive specifications:
- 100 KM/H Cruise Speed
- 10 KG Maximum Payload
- 150 KM Maximum Range
- Vertical take-off & landing (VTOL) capability – no complex ground infrastructure needed
- Large payload compartment for bulky packages
Sustainable Mobility Solutions
Disrupting mobility as we know it, APELEON engineers electric VTOL drones based on state-of-the-art technology. This project is deeply immersed in the pursuit of sustainable air transport solutions. The aircraft is designed to deliver priority cargo to even the most remote locations, bypassing the challenges of costly traffic-infrastructure and extensive land use. By reducing the need for building and maintaining massive networks on the ground, the aerial route not only skips the congestion common in urban areas but also leaves less environmental impact behind. As the drone takes flight with zero emissions, it represents an important breakthrough in sustainable mobility.
Advanced Air Mobility and Efficiency
The foundation for the APELEON project arose from several years of research in eVTOL technologies and advanced air mobility. Engineers have strived to increase energy efficiency rates in cruise flight compared to traditional multicopters or helicopters… This innovative approach capitalizes on clean technology advancements in propulsion and modern energy storage systems like batteries or fuel cells. With a focus on doubling energy efficiency by 2030, the project not only paves the way for cleaner skies but also supports global strategies for reducing CO2 emissions and achieving international climate goals.
Innovative Design and Configurability
APELEON SCALAR’s design is as simple as it is sophisticated. Its minimalistic design is optimized for efficient, low-cost operation, and the pronounced wing design provides exceptional cruise performance—a necessity when connecting rural regions. The aircraft’s internal payload compartment is large and modular, making it easy to configure according to unique logistics needs. Whether it is front-loading via a wide opening at the nose, utilizing a hoist system to deploy cargo when landing is not possible, or even dropping cargo safely with a parachute during flight, the system is fully adaptable… This ease of configuration ensures that the same aircraft can cater to a wide range of applications in emergency situations, technical responses, or express cargo delivery.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – enabled by the use of modern energy storage and electric propulsion systems
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – achieved through cutting-edge aircraft design and redundant system architectures
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by connecting remote and urban areas without heavy reliance on conventional infrastructure
- SDG 13: Climate Action – supporting international climate goals with zero CO2 emission flights
Pioneering Logistics and Future Horizons
With its outstanding performance, APELEON SCALAR is set to reconfigure logistics and open up opportunities that were once unreachable. Dedicated to achieving a future with sustainable and clean energy, this aircraft is a visionary response to the modern needs of mobility. The project not only offers a long range combined with a high payload capacity but also brings forth a reliability rooted in redundant aerospace-standard systems. In emergency health or technical situations, whether the mission is to deliver urgent supplies or to bypass complex urban traffic, the drone’s ability to operate silently yet powerfully continues to impress. The team behind APELEON boasts extensive experience gained from iconic aircraft projects like the Airbus A380, Boeing B787, Eurocopter EC135, and even special feats such as Solar Impulse. Such a rich background fuels the drive for an aviation future that is both efficient and environmentally conscious.
