Electric aircraft manufacturer AIR has announced a partnership with The International SeaKeepers Society to make its AIR ONE available on yachts.
The idea is to simplify "near-shore commutes on and off the yacht by eliminating the need to carry aviation fuel and a variety of spare parts, removing the obstacle of requiring a professional pilot, and allowing for charging using onboard generators", said AIR, a producer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Described as a "sporty, all-electric two-seater eVTOL offering a practical range on a single charge at speeds up to 155 miles per hour", the AIR ONE allows owners to take off and land on any flat surface with a 250kg payload, including a yacht deck, where its collapsible wings and "compact size" make it handy to store.
"As AIR enters the next stages of growth, we are excited to deliver the value of personal electric flight to additional industries and communities," said Rani Plaut, chief executive and co-founder of AIR. "In addition to helping improve yacht logistics, this partnership enables yachters to add an extra layer of sky-high adventure to sea excursions and is a significant step in our mission to advance air mobility adoption around the world."
"The eVTOL is a natural addition to yachting missions," said Jay Wade, chairman of SeaKeepers. "AIR ONE specifically is a no-brainer for yachters looking for an environmentally friendly, easy-to-integrate flight option to elevate their yacht experience, literally and figuratively.