Overair Joins Select Group of Electric Air Taxi Firms with Butterfly Prototype Rollout

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) design is built for passenger, medical, cargo, and military use cases.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 11:35 AM ET

Verified

A first look at the completed build of Overair’s first full-scale Butterfly eVTOL prototype. [Courtesy: Overair]

Key Takeaways:

Overair has completed its first full-scale Butterfly eVTOL prototype, set to begin flight testing early next year to validate its propulsion systems, flight control, safety, and operational efficiency, including a 55-decibel noise target.
The Butterfly integrates unique technologies: Optimum Speed Tilt Rotor (OSTR) for up to 60% power reduction in hover and Individual Blade Control (IBC) for safer, smoother, and lower-cost flights, with IBC also garnering interest from the U.S. Navy.
Overair aims for FAA certification and a 2028 service entry, supported by partnerships for deployment in Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles (targeting the 2028 Olympics), a preorder from Bristow Group for 20-50 aircraft, and an agreement to deliver 20 aircraft to South Korea.

See a mistake? Contact us.

A new full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype is ready to spread its wings.

Overair, maker of the Butterfly eVTOL air taxi, said Tuesday that it completed the build of its first full-scale prototype aircraft, which is set to begin flight testing early next year. The company will start with vehicle-level testing at its Santa Ana, California, headquarters before moving the aircraft to its flight test facility in nearby Victorville.