Photo: Skyportz
If you've been following the top AAM (Advanced Air Mobility)-related developments in the US and worldwide, you're most likely familiar with the American eSTOL (electric short takeoff and landing) maker Electra and the Australian infrastructure expert Skyportz. Wilbur Air is a new name, and it's linked to both Electra and Skyportz through a trailblazing partnership.
Australia only boasts a few eVTOL makers so far, but it plans to become one of the top AAM hubs worldwide, which has a lot to do with the right kind of infrastructure. Clem Newton-Brown, CEO of Skyportz, the Australian startup that has been paving the way for electric air taxi service over the past five years, stated that using traditional airports and helipads for these innovative aircraft won't bring a revolution in air mobility. Most of the promised benefits of eVTOLs depend on having adequate infrastructure, specifically vertiports and short takeoff and landing runways.
This is why the Electra aircraft is particularly well-suited for air taxi operations. This spacious nine-seater is designed to take off and land within 150 feet (45.7 meters) at a slow speed, which makes it highly versatile in terms of infrastructure. For instance, it can operate in areas that don't have room for a traditional runway. It also means that it can access even smaller regional airports that aren't currently being used to their full potential.
Unlike purely electric VTOLs, it combines distributed electric propulsion with a turbine-powered generator that drives the eight electric motors. This allows it to recharge its batteries in flight and ensure a range of up to 500 miles (804 km).
Wilbur Air will officially become the first one to operate this efficient hybrid-electric STOL in Australia. Skyportz is what connects these two. Wilbur Air is the newly launched Skyportz subsidiary that will have priority in terms of access to all of its vertiport sites. On the other hand, Skyportz and the American eSTOL maker have announced a partnership back in 2021. That is when the two first started talking about early trial possibilities for the Electra demonstrator in Australia.
Three years later, the partnership has reached the point of a commercial commitment. Wilbur Air will operate 100 Electra aircraft in Australia, which will be the first ones from this brand to enter service in this part of the world. According to Skyportz, this is just the beginning, and other aircraft will soon follow. Plus, they won't be limited to passenger transport. Skyportz plans to operate a wide range of aircraft, from heavy-lifting delivery drones to high-capacity air taxis like the Electra.
Both new and established aviation operators across the globe are eyeing zero-emission air taxis. Electra claims to currently have more than 1,600 aircraft pre-orders (and options) from more than 35 operators.
This is why the Electra aircraft is particularly well-suited for air taxi operations. This spacious nine-seater is designed to take off and land within 150 feet (45.7 meters) at a slow speed, which makes it highly versatile in terms of infrastructure. For instance, it can operate in areas that don't have room for a traditional runway. It also means that it can access even smaller regional airports that aren't currently being used to their full potential.
Unlike purely electric VTOLs, it combines distributed electric propulsion with a turbine-powered generator that drives the eight electric motors. This allows it to recharge its batteries in flight and ensure a range of up to 500 miles (804 km).
Wilbur Air will officially become the first one to operate this efficient hybrid-electric STOL in Australia. Skyportz is what connects these two. Wilbur Air is the newly launched Skyportz subsidiary that will have priority in terms of access to all of its vertiport sites. On the other hand, Skyportz and the American eSTOL maker have announced a partnership back in 2021. That is when the two first started talking about early trial possibilities for the Electra demonstrator in Australia.
Three years later, the partnership has reached the point of a commercial commitment. Wilbur Air will operate 100 Electra aircraft in Australia, which will be the first ones from this brand to enter service in this part of the world. According to Skyportz, this is just the beginning, and other aircraft will soon follow. Plus, they won't be limited to passenger transport. Skyportz plans to operate a wide range of aircraft, from heavy-lifting delivery drones to high-capacity air taxis like the Electra.
Both new and established aviation operators across the globe are eyeing zero-emission air taxis. Electra claims to currently have more than 1,600 aircraft pre-orders (and options) from more than 35 operators.
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