AIR completes first night-time uncrewed cargo eVTOL flight in real-world remote conditions

Credit: AIR eVTOL

AIR, a leading OEM of midsize eVTOLs, has completed advanced nighttime flight demonstrations of its uncrewed cargo aircraft, marking a key milestone in establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for night operations and seamless integration with ground crews. These successful tests reinforce the aircraft’s readiness for 24/7 logistics use and showcase its ability to operate in real-world conditions, even in remote, non-airport locations with minimal infrastructure.

eVTOL proves reliable in real-world conditions with minimal infrastructure and untrained ground crews

During the demonstration, ground crews, unfamiliar with the aircraft, were able to load 550 pounds (250 kg) of cargo and oversee a remotely operated departure with minimal training. This validated the platform’s adaptability, confirming it can be integrated easily with any logistics team.

“Operations don’t stop once the sun goes down. We recognised early on that ensuring safety and efficiency at night is just as essential as in the daytime,” said Rani Plaut, CEO and Co-founder of AIR. “We’re proud to have completed this rigorous round of nighttime flight operations, showcasing that AIR’s eVTOL for cargo use is ready for 24/7 use. The aircraft adapts to almost any environment due to its simple ground handling requirements and the ease with which any ground crew can quickly get up to speed. The new SOPs we established lay the foundation for a future of uninterrupted, on-demand cargo mobility.”

AIR’s launch customer, who attended the flight, praised the smooth performance and is looking forward to further deliveries later this year. This night flight represents the first uncrewed, midsize eVTOL cargo operation at night and highlights AIR’s continued growth, having doubled its team size and expanded its product range. Alongside the unmanned logistics platform, AIR’s piloted AIR ONE for personal use is nearing certification with over 2,400 preorders already placed.

SIGN ME UP