An Israeli company is throwing its hat into the growing market for electric air travel. AIR unveiled its plans for a two-seater electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft on October 19, 2021.
AIR, which has been working on the project for four years, is aiming its vehicle at private consumers, rather than professional operators providing an air taxi service.
AIR is currently working with the US Federal Aviation Administration to obtain certification. Test flights of a full-scale aircraft, including a crewed flight, are planned for 2022. The company plans to begin rollout in 2024.
“The future of mobility is in the sky, but to get there we need to build consumer confidence in eVTOLs as a legitimate mode of everyday transport and develop vehicles on a mass-scale to bring that vision to life,” AIR’s CEO and Co-Founder Rani Plaut said in a press release announcing the vehicle.
AIR said its vehicle, dubbed AIR ONE, will have a range of 110 miles on a single charge, speeds of up to 155 miles per hour and a flight time of one hour.
The company claims it will be easy to operate. AIR says a technology called “fly by intent” software can handle complex functions and navigation. This means “usage isn’t restricted to highly skilled pilots and trained professionals,” AIR declares.
An AI-monitoring system will carry out inspections of the vehicle and help ensure safety, the company said.
In a further bid to appeal to customers, AIR adds that the wings of the craft are collapsible, making it easy to park.
The vehicle is available now for pre-order, although AIR says pricing information will not be available until early 2022.