Flying Vehicle Goes On Sale for First Responders

An electric aerial vehicle (EAV) developer has announced its single-person flying vehicle is now available for purchase by public agencies.

Lift Aircraft, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle maker in Austin, Texas, is making its flying vehicle available for purchase by public agencies including police, fire, medical, search and rescue, emergency and disaster response.

The flying vehicle does not require a pilot’s license since it falls under the powered ultralight category of vehicles, as designed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). However, for public agencies, it could operate under Public Aircraft rules, without the ultralight limitations.

The Lift Hexa EAV has been in development for six years.

The upfront cost of the EAV is $495,000 with the option to place the vehicle in the Lift rental fleet to recoup some of the investment.

The Hexa has 18 motors, propellers and batteries and can land with up to six motors disabled, according to the company.

The vehicle, operated by joystick, also has an autonomous ballistic parachute and the ability to land on water.

Flying vehicles for first responders is a quickly growing market segment.

For example, Jump Aero and the Oregon Department of Aviation recently signed a deal to work together to determine how to bring Jump Aero’s JA1 emergency response aircraft to the rural population there.

Related:Flying Vehicles for Medical First Responders Sought in Oregon

Jump Aero and the Utah Department of Transportation previously agreed to work together to create full state coverage using Jump Aero's flight-based first responder operations.

EAVs are being considered for numerous first responder services. Volocopter, a Germany-based flying vehicle company, partnered with Bristow Group in Houston, Texas, to build urban air mobility ecosystems, including using the flying vehicles for search and rescue.

Lift is making up to five flying vehicles available for public agency purchase.

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