Canada: Urban Aeronautics Aims To Develop CityHawk eVTOL In Montreal
Israel-based Urban Aeronautics (UA) is looking to complete development, certification and assembly of its CityHawk eVTOL in Montreal, Canada. A year ago the company secured an initial USD10 million from private investors to assist in its development. This investment came from the U.S., Brazil, and Israel. UA has said it hopes to raise a further USD90 million.
The company started developing its wingless Fancraft technology back in 2000 and first flew a technology demonstrator three years later, followed by the uncrewed 2,400 lb “Cormorant” prototype in 2009. Today, the full-scale CityHawk craft has carried out well over 300 trial flights.
The demonstrator incorporates a gas turboshaft engine and UA expects to initially certify its aircraft in 2026 using a conventional propulsion technology, even though the company has stated it is committed to using hydrogen power in the future (H2eVTOL). Last year UA announced an agreement with Hypoint to develop a version of the CityHawk powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Certification of this variant is expected to be in 2030.
The CityHawk seats four passengers plus a pilot. It has a flight range of 93 miles and cruise speed of 130 knots. Noise is projected to be 70 dBA at 700 ft.
UA has pre-orders of four CityHawks in an air ambulance configuration from air medical operator Hatzolah Air and has collaborated with Singapore-based Ascent to commercialise the aircraft for urban air mobility. The company is working alongside Skyports on vertiport design.
Meanwhile, the company is collaborating with Universal Avionics for pilot displays; with Cert Center Canada to develop the aircraft’s Part 27 certification plan; and with Boeing to address potential applications for the U.S. Department of Defence.
Nimrod Golan-Yanay
Nimrod Golan-Yanay, CEO of CityHawk, commented last year, “While we know that the vigorous testing and regulatory compliance that comes with any new aviation technology is still in development across the globe, we are extremely excited and bolstered by the milestones we’ve achieved in recent months that show how ideally suited CityHawk is for practical applications right within the city itself.”
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