Flying Vehicle Takes First Free Flight; Pilotless Test

AMSL Aero, which is developing the Vertiia hydrogen-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle, completed the first free flight of its passenger vehicle. 

The remotely controlled test flight was performed on battery power in the Central West region of New South Wales.

AMSL Aero is scheduled to begin hydrogen-fueled flight testing of the Vertiia in 2025.

The Vertiia has a range of 620 miles and a cruising speed of 185 mph.

“Watching Vertiia take to the sky in free flight was a breathtaking experience for our incredible team of engineers and me,” said AMSL Aero co-founder, chief engineer and Vertiia inventor Andrew Moore. “This landmark is proof that the design we pioneered seven years ago works, and it moves us closer to our goal of improving the lives of remote, rural and regional communities in Australia and around the world with an aircraft that conquers the tyranny of distance with zero emissions.”

AMSL Aero has customer deposits for 26 Vertiia flying vehicles, according to the company,

The flying vehicle company also has an agreement with the Philippines Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to collaborate to bring hydrogen-electric flying vehicles to the Philippines.

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Related:Flying Vehicles Company Expands to Philippines

AMSL Aero and BCDA plan to collaborate to develop an ecosystem for hydrogen energy that could help connect the islands of the Philippines with passenger and freight air travel with hydrogen production plants for refueling.

The Vertiia, designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, is hydrogen-electric powered and takes off like a helicopter and then flies as a fixed-wing aerial vehicle. 

Aviation Logistics, one of Australia’s largest general aviation and regional airline groups, recently placed an order for 10 of the VTOLs with an option to purchase 10 more.

Aviation Logistics is the parent company of Air Link, AirMed and Chartair, which offer passenger services, aircraft charter, air freight and aeromedical flights from seven bases across Australia.

Flights using the electric aerial vehicles (EAV) could start in 2027, once approved by regulators.

Targeted uses of the Vertiia are aeromedical, cargo and passenger carrying.

AMSL Aero last year received a $3.6 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop a fuel cell system to power its Vertiia EAV.

The flying vehicle maker also has a partnership with Life Flight in New Zealand.

AMSL Aero has raised $32 million from private investors and government programs to develop flying vehicles.

Related:Flying Vehicle Startup Funded for Air Ambulance; Hydrogen-Powered