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AMSL Aero has landed its first civil customer order for the Vertiia electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
General aviation and regional airline group Aviation Logistics, owner of Air Link, AirMed and Chartair, has signed a deal for 10 Vertiia aircraft with the option for 10 more, which could be in service starting from 2027 pending regulatory approval.
Vertiia, which has eight tilting wings and can carry up to four passengers plus a pilot, is capable of taking off from helipads or similar-sized landing sites and can conduct on-demand services between regional locations, at speeds of up to 300km/h with 250km battery or 1,000km hydrogen range. It is slated for commercial release in 2026.
“We believe this aircraft is set to revolutionise the movement of people and freight across the country by providing greater access to air transport whilst opening up new market opportunities that currently do not exist,” said Aviation Logistics executive director Matthew Kline.
“Today’s announcement is a sign of our commitment to the future development of sustainable air transport in Australia and represents a significant investment that will secure Aviation Logistics’ future as one of Australia’s leading aviation companies.”
Max York, CEO of AMSL Aero, said test flights of Vertiia are ongoing with 2024 expected to be a “huge year” for the firm.
“We are honoured to have Aviation Logistics as a partner – with 50 years’ pedigree flying aircraft across Australia’s vast terrain and operating in three of our core target market segments: aeromedical, logistics and passenger transport. This deal catapults Vertiia from world-leading development aircraft to commercial reality,” York said.
AMSL Aero was last year awarded $5.43 million in federal government funding through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop hydrogen fuel cell batteries for Vertiia, enabling it to reach a range of up to 1,000km.
Mark Wardrop, director at Aviation Logistics, said Vertiia will support future operations across the company’s passenger and freight network.
“We believe it is only a matter of time before electric and hydrogen powered aircraft are transporting people across Australia, and Vertiia has the potential to change the way people living in rural and regional communities access services such as education and healthcare located in major centres,” he said.
Listen to our podcast interview with CareFlight CEO Mick Frewen, discussing how the aeromedical charity’s partnership with AMSL Aero on Vertiia will enable it to deliver better services.
