Eight out of ten private equity and venture capital professionals expect public confidence in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to increase over the next three years, according to a survey by aerospace business Horizon Aircraft.
Almost two in ten of those interviewed expected a dramatic increase, Horizon added, with the availability of pilots and "major developments around regulation of the sector" cited as reasons for the looming upsurge in public confidence.
Media coverage, successful trials of aircraft and the involvement of larger companies in the sector were also listed as factors, Horizon said.
“As public confidence in the eVTOL market grows, professional investors expect the sector’s order book to grow and more investment to flow into the industry," said Brandon Robinson, the company's chief executive.
“Our research shows 63% of private equity and venture capital professionals expect there to be over 430,000 air taxis in operation by 2040, and 88% anticipate the sector will generate at least $30.7 billion by 2030," he added.
Horizon Aircraft said its flagship Cavorite X5 design has been attracting "significant interest" across the industry after winning several grants, including from the US Department of Defense. The company said it is testing a 50%-scale prototype while developing a detailed design of a full-scale aircraft.