Private eVTOL Startup Air Signs UAS Traffic Management Deal

Israel-based company represents one of a handful of firms that are producing eVTOLs for personal use.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Air’s Air One prototype makes its first transition to cruise flight. [Courtesy: Air]

Key Takeaways:

Air, an Israeli startup, is developing Air One, a personal two-seater eVTOL designed for private use, with the vision of users taking off and landing from their homes.
To address the significant regulatory and safety challenges of its "freewheeling" personal use model, Air has partnered with High Lander to implement its Universal UTM system for autonomous flight management and safety.
Despite over 300 preorders and plans for late 2024 deliveries, Air One still faces major hurdles, including obtaining FAA G-1 certification and the establishment of a specific pilot certification process for eVTOLs, which does not yet exist.

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If firms like Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are to be believed, the U.S. will have electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis buzzing in its airspace by 2025. But there’s another kind of eVTOL aircraft under development.

Israel-based startup Air is one of a handful of firms manufacturing the helicopter-like vehicles for private use. The company has been quiet for a few months. But on Monday, it announced a partnership with another Israeli firm, High Lander, to provide unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM) services for its two-seater Air One personal eVTOL.