Photo: Overair
California is the home of several top eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) makers, and it's only natural that it also intends to become one of the most important AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) hubs. The Butterfly eVTOL is one of the aircraft that will be providing air taxi services in the air, and its prototype is gearing up for the first flight tests soon.
Electric air taxi operations are coming to Southern California, and it's just a matter of time now. Clay Lacy Aviation, a reputable FBO (fixed-base operator) and private jet management company is playing a key part in bringing these services to California through collaboration with multiple eVTOL makers.
Overair, the Californian company that developed the Butterfly eVTOL concept, is one of them. The two will initially focus on setting up charging units for electric aircraft at two locations, John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles. Once those are in place, the two partners will continue to expand across Southern California.
Clay Lacy is in charge of the infrastructure part, which includes both the electric charging facilities and operational logistics. Overair will take care of the aircraft integration process, from maintenance and vertiport software integration to flight path planning.
According to Overair, this is the result of a year-long cooperation behind the scenes. It also follows the recent unveiling of the Butterfly prototype. At the end of last year, the Californian team completed the assembly of its flagship eVTOL. This year, it's scheduled to conduct the first flight tests.
Despite its delicate name, this electric aircraft stands out among other eVTOLs due to its rugged, military-inspired configuration. It sports four oversized rotors that are twice as big as the ones most eVTOLs have. It was also said to be the first one in the field to incorporate the IBC (Individual Blade Control) and OSTR (Optimum Speed Tilt Rotor) technologies.
The creative force behind this innovative design is an iconic figure in the drone industry. Abe Karem was one of the drone pioneers back in the '80s, and his name is linked to trailblazing military flying machines such as the Predator and the A160 Hummingbird.
The Butterfly air taxi aims to be exceptionally quiet, as well as powerful. It's designed to fly at 200 mph (322 kph), boasting a medium 100-mile (161 km) range.
Like most eVTOL makers, Overair is working with several infrastructure partners in addition to Clay Lacy in preparation for upcoming air taxi operations across the US. Plus, it's targeting a global market, with South Korea already becoming one of its main commercial partners. The Californian eVTOL maker has secured multiple deals in the country, including a partnership with the Korean Police and with Jeju Island officials.
Overair, the Californian company that developed the Butterfly eVTOL concept, is one of them. The two will initially focus on setting up charging units for electric aircraft at two locations, John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles. Once those are in place, the two partners will continue to expand across Southern California.
Clay Lacy is in charge of the infrastructure part, which includes both the electric charging facilities and operational logistics. Overair will take care of the aircraft integration process, from maintenance and vertiport software integration to flight path planning.
According to Overair, this is the result of a year-long cooperation behind the scenes. It also follows the recent unveiling of the Butterfly prototype. At the end of last year, the Californian team completed the assembly of its flagship eVTOL. This year, it's scheduled to conduct the first flight tests.
Despite its delicate name, this electric aircraft stands out among other eVTOLs due to its rugged, military-inspired configuration. It sports four oversized rotors that are twice as big as the ones most eVTOLs have. It was also said to be the first one in the field to incorporate the IBC (Individual Blade Control) and OSTR (Optimum Speed Tilt Rotor) technologies.
The creative force behind this innovative design is an iconic figure in the drone industry. Abe Karem was one of the drone pioneers back in the '80s, and his name is linked to trailblazing military flying machines such as the Predator and the A160 Hummingbird.
The Butterfly air taxi aims to be exceptionally quiet, as well as powerful. It's designed to fly at 200 mph (322 kph), boasting a medium 100-mile (161 km) range.
Like most eVTOL makers, Overair is working with several infrastructure partners in addition to Clay Lacy in preparation for upcoming air taxi operations across the US. Plus, it's targeting a global market, with South Korea already becoming one of its main commercial partners. The Californian eVTOL maker has secured multiple deals in the country, including a partnership with the Korean Police and with Jeju Island officials.
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