AIR Showcases Personal eVTOL Prototype at Kentucky Derby, Announces Partnership with Aeroauto
EVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft creator AIR showcased the prototype of its first vehicle, AIR ONE, at its kickoff event at the Kentucky Derby, where attendees were able to sit inside the aircraft for a virtual flight using AIR’s simulation technology. AIR also announced its formation of a partnership with Aeroauto in order to develop a specialized Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Showroom and Dealership in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The fully-electric AIR ONE offers the freedom of flight to individual consumers. AIR ONE can reach speeds of up to 155mph and travel 110 miles on a single charge, and is able to take off and land on any flat surface. Due to its collapsible wings, AIR ONE can fit in most garages and driveways, and is suitable for trailer hauls.
“It is thrilling that we were able to celebrate this milestone and unveil AIR ONE at a truly iconic event like the Kentucky Derby, with the help of Churchill Downs,” said AIR CEO and Co-founder Rani Plaut. “Alongside our newest partner, Aeroauto, the trailblazers we met at the Derby will play a crucial role in gaining public acceptance of personal eVTOLs, propelling the entire industry forward, transforming the way we move, and adding a dose of adventure to everyday life.”
The Kentucky Derby was only the first of several stops on AIR ONE’s prototype tour, with the vehicle and its virtual flight simulation technology set to remain on display at the Aeroauto showroom in between events. As Air’s Brand Ambassador, Aeroauto will aid in establishing local infrastructure for personal EV aviation and serve as a maintenance provider. Additionally, AIR ONE customers will receive access to Aeroauto Flight Academy, with the inclusion of flight simulators and classroom learning.
“It is a great honor to become the world’s first specialized Urban Air Mobility Vehicle Showroom and Dealership, bringing an international manufacturer to North America as an AIR Brand Ambassador, while becoming their North American Flagship retailer for sales, service, and customer training center,” said Aeroauto CEO Sean Borman. “We feel that AIR’s advanced technology will be a great asset to the industry of personal transportation as a whole. The AIR ONE is an exciting addition to the US’s personal transportation market and for all the people that have been dreaming of these incredible machines for decades.”
This comes after AIR recently completed a successful drop test and finalized the first stage of its power and communication system integration. Currently, the company is preparing to initiate hover testing and is working closely with the FAA to finalize its formal application for Step 2 of the G1 Certification Basis Document.
Read more about AIR personal eVTOL and urban air mobility:
- The Air-One is the First Fully Functioning Vertiport for Advanced Air Operations
- Urban Air Mobility Could Generate Billions for Cities Around the World: Volocopter in Singapore
- AIR and FlyOnE Partner on Personal eVTOL Adoption in Australia
- Multi Modal Mobility Hubs and UAM: From the Floor of Amsterdam Drone Week
Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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[…] improvement of probably the most nation’s first showrooms for electrical plane, in addition to showcased the full-scale AIR ONE prototype at this 12 months’s Kentucky Derby. Quickly, AIR may also be maintaining an showcase at EAA […]