Eve Is Flying Real-World Simulated eVTOL Routes

The Embraer spinoff predicts Chicago could support a fleet of 240 air taxis by 2035.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 05:23 PM ET

Verified

Eve’s eVTOL air taxi is still under development, but the company is using helicopters to gather passenger data during simulated commuter routes. [Courtesy: Eve]

Key Takeaways:

Embraer’s Eve is conducting simulated eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi test flights in Chicago through its "Chicago XP" program, partnering with Blade to gather data on operations, infrastructure, and passenger experience.
Using helicopters and augmented reality, the program aims to inform the development of Eve's eVTOL service, projected to launch by 2026, with ambitious market potential estimates for the Chicago area.
The emerging air taxi industry is highlighted as a new career path for pilots to build flight hours, though challenges like limited urban landing infrastructure need to be addressed for future widespread adoption.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Embraer’s Eve (NYSE: EVEX) is years away from producing a certificated electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi, but this month, it’s been conducting simulated real-world test flights in Chicago using helicopters.

As part of its Chicago XP program running through the end of September, Eve and Blade (NASDAQ: BLDE) are flying simulated air taxi commuter routes from three Chicago-area heliports. On the ground, passengers can use tablets outfitted with special software to view how Eve’s aircraft and a vertiport would appear during future operations.