Australia’s AMSL Aero’s eVTOL Vertiia recently completed its successful maiden flight. The five-seat Vertiia eVTOL completed its tethered hover by remote control in the Central West region of New South Wales in strict accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations
The eVTOL can carry four passengers and a pilot and cruise at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour. As per AMSL Aero, Vertiia will be able to fly up to a distance of 1,000 kilometers three times the range of any eVTOL.
The company hopes to receive its CASA certification and begin deliveries by 2026 to aeromedical, cargo, emergency and regional air mobility sectors.
So far, AMSL Aero has conducted 11 remotely piloted hover tests and will continue with more tests leading to its certification.
Andrew Moore, CEO, AMSL said: “The Vertiia prototype flew better than we expected. It was remarkably smooth and a delight to fly.”
This is the first time that an eVTOL aircraft designed and built in Australia has flown, according to AMSL.
AMSL claims that the all-electric Vertiia will be the most energy-efficient and longest-range eVTOL aircraft in the world, with a range of about 250 kilometers (155 miles) on a single charge.
AMSL hopes to eventually develop a hydrogen-powered version of the Vertiia that the company says could have four times the range of the all-electric version. The company is also exploring a fully autonomous version of the aircraft that would not require a pilot on board.
So far, AMSL Aero has raised over $27.4 million from private investors and government sources