Vertiflite May/June 2021

Electric VTOL The recent emergence of eVTOL aircraft has the potential to dramatically transform the vertical flight industry in the years ahead. Development of these new aircraft is being pursued by established rotorcraft manufacturers, as well as by small start-up outfits. These efforts are attracting serious investment capital from the financial community and others. Numerous designs for eVTOL vehicles have been unveiled by companies over the past few years (the Vertical Flight Society’s World eVTOL Aircraft Directory has catalogued more than 440 concepts at www.eVTOL.news ). Most vehicles are designed to have a pilot on board initially, while eventually transitioning to autonomous flight. The potential applications for such aircraft are varied. At present, though, perhaps the most widely publicized potential application for eVTOL aircraft involves on-demand air taxi operations, particularly within large cities and other urban areas. In one high-profile deal announced in late 2020, Joby Aviation agreed to acquire Uber Elevate, the aerial transport division of rideshare pioneer Uber Technologies. Uber Elevate had been working on a project to establish an eVTOL air taxi network by 2023. Uber is an investor in Joby, which, by early 2021, had conducted more than 1,000 test flights on its various eVTOL prototypes. Joby has stated that it expects to have its airworthiness certification in 2023 and begin to operate its air taxi service in 2024.

In another major deal, United Airlines and Archer Aviation reached an agreement in February 2021 under which United will assist Archer with the development of battery-powered, short-haul aircraft. Preliminary plans call for United, along with regional carrier Mesa Airlines, to acquire 200 of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft within the next five years for use in connecting to United’s hub airports and commuting in dense urban environments. Besides passenger transportation, possible uses for eVTOL aircraft include package and cargo delivery, disaster relief, emergency medical services, and many other missions. The FAA, the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA), and the USAir Force are all preparing for the possible advent of eVTOL aircraft. The Air Force has launched the Agility Prime program, which is aimed at preparing and accelerating the commercial market for advanced air mobility vehicles. However promising it may be, the eVTOL aircraft market will only grow as fast as regulations and infrastructure permit. Policies need to be developed so that these aircraft can be safely introduced into the existing airspace. Congestion and safety issues have to be addressed. Because of these constraints and other unknowns, eVTOL aircraft production is not yet included in the annual rotorcraft forecast.