50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

AIR ONE eVTOL aircraft successfully completes first full transition to cruise flight

Download: Printable PDF Date: 20 Dec 2022 16:44 (UTC) category:
Publisher:
AIR ONE eVTOL aircraft successfully completes first full transition to cruise flight - Manufacturer publisher
Dana Ermolenko
Country: United States Aircraft: Airplanes

AIR inaugural vehicle, AIR ONE, has successfully completed its first full forward flight, perfectly transitioning from hover to cruise. At approximately 3:00PM Israel time on December 18th, AIR's full-scale AIR ONE prototype, loaded to full capacity of 1100kg (2425lbs), took off and transitioned to its nominal cruising speed. This landmark accomplishment kicks off thousands of flight hours planned for the AIR ONE as part of its FAA certification process, which will see range, speed, and endurance increase as AIR continues to optimize the aircraft to achieve its design flight profile.

While much of the emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) market focuses on commercial applications such as air taxis, AIR is spearheading a new category in the industry: personal air mobility. AIR's unique eVTOL for personal use offers an everyday alternative for short distance commuting in the sky. Capable of taking off and landing on any flat surface with a 250kg payload, the all-electric two-seater aircraft offers a practical long range on a single charge at speeds up to 155 mph (250 km/h). AIR ONE can be stored in most garages and driveways and is suitable for trailer hauls.

 Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of AIR, commented: "It is thrilling to have reached this moment in our journey as we strive to build the foundation to make personal air mobility a reality. AIR is incredibly proud to play a role in the global AAM movement, and we're looking forward and upward to 2024 when adoption of privately-owned eVTOLs takes flight."

Following this latest milestone, AIR plans to transfer the bulk of its operations and R&D to the United States, where further flight testing, development, and ongoing certification collaboration with the FAA will continue. Leading up to the full transition flight testing, AIR completed multiple successful and extensive propulsion tests and performed a series of necessary electronic and stability tests prior to AIR ONE's first forward flight, which served as an important proof of concept. In addition, AIR has invested in strategic partnerships with aviation companies around the world and unveiled the full-scale AIR ONE prototype at this year's Kentucky Derby, EAA AirVenture, and the Detroit Auto Show, all since coming out of stealth nearly a year and a half ago.





Recommended

HondaJet APMG S upgrade package earns EASA validation

HondaJet Classic and APMG operators across the European Union can now access the latest enhancements developed for the HondaJet family following the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s valid...

EBAA France warns of French aviation’s decline and its impact on regional economies

EBAA France, the representative body for France’s business aviation ecosystem, brings together aircraft operators, airport activities, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance, and training providers...

Chapman Freeborn becomes a member of BlackBook Motorsport’s international business network

International air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has joined BlackBook Motorsport, the global business network connecting key stakeholders across Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP and the wider internatio...

Duncan Aviation deepens commitment to next-generation connectivity with 40 Gogo Galileo HDX systems

Responding to rising customer interest in always-on, high-speed connectivity, Duncan Aviation has placed a prepaid order for 40 Gogo Galileo HDX systems, marking Gogo’s biggest MRO agreement thi...

Android Apps development in Riga, Latvia