Friday, December 6, 2024
Eve Air Mobility has formalized a letter of intent with Helicopters Inc., a leading U.S. operator in vertical lift and helicopter services, for the purchase of up to 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.The landmark deal, covering the aircraft, continuous service support, and Eve’s Vector urban air traffic management (ATM) software, was announced at the Revolution.Aero Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) conference.. Eve participated in the event, sharing insights on advancing and scaling the future of air mobility.
“We appreciate Helicopters Inc.’s confidence in Eve by purchasing up to 50 of our eVTOL aircraft,” said Megha Bhatia, chief commercial officer, Eve Air Mobility. “Helicopters Inc. is a recognized leader, safely operating aircraft in more than 30 metropolitan areas throughout the U.S., and we are excited to add such a credible vertical lift operator to our list of customers. We look forward to working with them on deploying our all-electric eVTOL aircraft as part of their extensive U.S. operation.”
Eve’s collaboration with Helicopters Inc. dates back to a 2022 simulation held in Chicago, IL. In partnership with Blade, Inc. and Helicopters Inc., Eve used a helicopter operated by Helicopters Inc. to simulate future eVTOL operations. Together, the companies facilitated passenger transport between the Vertiport Chicago facility and two helistops situated to the northwest and southwest of the city.One route connected Vertiport Chicago to Schaumburg Municipal Helistop, while the other linked Vertiport Chicago to Tinley Park Helistop.
“Eve Air Mobility’s maturity and reliability, backed by Embraer, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of commercial aircraft, was a key factor in our decision to select Eve for our future eVTOL aircraft,” said Tom Wagner, president of Helicopters Inc. “The eVTOL aircraft will provide numerous advantages including competitive cost of operation, fewer parts and optimized structures and systems, not to mention a lower noise footprint and environmental benefits.”
Eve and Helicopters Inc. will continue their collaboration to refine potential launch cities in key markets, establish aircraft maintenance and servicing protocols, and, with the help of ecosystem partners, assess the additional infrastructure necessary for safe and efficient operations. Planned use cases include airport shuttle services and point-to-point connections across the United States.
Under the new agreement, Helicopters Inc. will also gain access to Eve TechCare, an innovative suite of solutions designed to enhance eVTOL operations. This comprehensive service offering includes expert customer support, operational solutions, and industry-leading services. The agreement also includes Eve’s Vector software, a versatile solution designed to enhance the efficiency of advanced air mobility operations both today and in the future.
Eve’s eVTOL aircraft features a lift+cruise configuration with eight dedicated propellers for vertical takeoff and landing, paired with fixed wings for cruise flight. These components remain in a fixed position throughout the flight, and the aircraft is equipped with an electric pusher powered by dual electric motors, offering propulsion redundancy to maximize performance and safety.
In 2023, Eve revealed that its first eVTOL production facility will be situated in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. The company recently introduced its first full-scale prototype at the Farnborough Air Show in July and is progressing toward its testing phase. Eve has obtained letters of intent for almost 3,000 eVTOL aircraft from clients spanning several continents.
