# Avian African Aircraft Concepts This Bird-Like Aircraft Proposes 'Near-VTOL' Flight Operation By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2021-12-10 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aircraft-concepts References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/aircraft/phractyl-macrobat-nvtol-africa/) & [phractyl](https://phractyl.com/)  A South African startup by the name of Phractyl has unveiled a mind-boggling aircraft concept whose appearance and design is inspired by birds, and whose performance aims to make use of aerodynamic design and futuristic battery technologies to achieve reliable and [eco-friendly flight](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sceye-haps). This [electric aircraft concept](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-aircraft-technology), dubbed Macrobat, is dubbed as a "near VTOL" craft in that it doesn't quite achieve full-scale [vertical takeoff and landing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-horizon-aircraft) but rather makes use of a hybrid movement where in the craft and its wings tilt backward. The current iteration of the concept proposes a range of 150 km and the ability to haul a payload of up to 150 kilograms, not to mention a top speed in the region of 180 km/h. What's more, the Macrobat could be piloted by a human occupant or a remote pilot, allowing for a range of applications that run the gamut from recreation and industrial inspections to cargo deliveries and rescue operations. Image Credit: Phractyl ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Bird-inspired Aircraft Design:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aerospace industry to explore eco-friendly and aerodynamic bird-inspired designs for aircrafts. - **Electric Aircraft Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to adopt futuristic battery technologies to achieve reliable and sustainable aircraft performance. - **Remote Piloting:** Disruptive innovation opportunity for the aviation industry to explore the use of remote pilots, enabling the Macrobat for a variety of applications such as industrial inspections or rescue operations. ### Where This Applies - **Aerospace:** The aerospace industry can explore the use of bird-inspired designs and aerodynamics for achieving sustainable and eco-friendly flight. - **Aviation:** The aviation industry can explore the use of futuristic battery technologies for reliable and sustainable aircraft performance, as well as implementing the use of remote pilots for various applications. - **Cargo and Delivery:** The cargo and delivery industry can explore the Macrobat's capabilities for hauling heavy payloads of up to 150 kilograms at a top speed of 180 km/h for efficient and eco-friendly transportation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Eco Intracity Aircraft Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antelope-evtol.md) - [Epochal Electric VTOLs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/epochal-electric-vtol.md) - [VTOL Air Taxi Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-taxi-prototype.md) - [Zero-Emission Solar-Powered Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/falcon-horizon.md) - [Folding Wing eVTOL Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evtol-concept-design.md) - [Folding Wing eVTOL Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transwing-evtol.md) - [Blade-Like eVTOLs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mostavio-mx1.md) - [Range-Roving Electric Aircrafts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-aircrafts.md) - [Electric Urban Flights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valo-evtol.md)