First “Forward Flight” For Israeli Two-Seater Vehicle

The Israeli startup behind a consumer flying vehicle says it has successfully completed its first “forward flight”.

The electric two-seater proved in July that it could take off vertically and hover like a helicopter.

Now it has also shown that it is able to accelerate forwards, like an airplane.

The electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) was loaded to its full capacity of 1,100kg (2,425lbs) before it took off.

Air, the company developing it, will offer the vehicle as an everyday alternative for short-distance commuting in the sky. 

The aircraft, called the Air One, can take off and land on any flat surface, and can do 155 mph (250 km/h).

“It is thrilling to have reached this moment in our journey as we strive to build the foundation to make personal air mobility a reality,” said Rani Plaut, the company’s CEO and Co-founder.

“Air is incredibly proud to play a role in the global AAM (advanced air mobility) movement, and we’re looking forward and upward to 2024 when adoption of privately-owned eVTOLs takes flight.”

The company, based in Pardes Hanna, now plans to transfer its R&D and most other operations to the US, where it will work towards American airworthiness certification.

Over 260 Air One vehicles have already been pre-ordered. The company was founded in 2017.