Research predicts first commercial urban air mobility passenger routes and main initial uses for eVTOLs
A new survey of private equity and venture capital professionals commissioned by Horizon Aircraft reveals that 41 percent believe the first urban air mobility passenger routes will be operational within the next two years.
Twenty seven percent of professional investors believe the first practical use of piloted eVTOL aircraft will be search and rescue, followed by 20 percent who said remote supply and 15 percent who said organ transport.
Overall, 93 percent believe that the growing global demand for better and more efficient transportation systems, the increasing number of vehicles operating on the roads causing serious environmental impact, and advances in technology improving the safety and viability of eVTOLs, will result in a rapidly improving regulatory environment for the eVTOL market over the next five years.
When asked which five countries will have the biggest and most advanced eVTOL markets in 2030, 59 percent cited the USA, 52 percent said Canada, 41 percent said the UK, 37 percent said France and 35 percent said China.
Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft said: “Our research highlights the variety of
ways in which eVTOLs can be used – from search and rescue to remote supply, passenger transportation, and military missions.
“This is one of the key reasons why the sector is attracting so much investment, and it will be those aircraft that can be used for multiple purposes that will attract much of this financing.”
Horizon Aircraft and its flagship Cavorite X5 design has won several grants, a US Department of Defence advanced research and development contract award, being ahead of its competitors with its large-scale prototype already flying.
Horizon Aircraft is currently flight testing its half-scale prototype while continuing to develop a detailed design for a full-scale aircraft that allows its Cavorite X5 to fly 98% of its mission in a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft.
Flying most of the time as a normal aircraft is claimed to be safer and will make the aircraft easier to certify than radical new eVTOL designs. The full-scale aircraft will also be powered by a hybrid electric system that can recharge the battery in-flight while providing additional system redundancy.
Horizon Aircraft has completed more than 200 test flights using a sub-scale prototype of its Cavorite X5 hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft.
Horizon Aircraft reaches flight test milestone with its sub-scale Cavorite X5 prototype
