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AMSL Aero’s zero emissions, long-range aircraft has completed its first test flight without being tethered to the ground.
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The Sydney-based company said Vertiia – which plans to eventually travel up to 1,000km powered by hydrogen – has now taken off, flown and landed more than 50 times successfully using battery power.
The company’s co-founder, Andrew Moore, said, “Watching Vertiia take to the sky in free flight was a breathtaking experience for our incredible team of engineers and me.
“This landmark is proof that the design we pioneered seven years ago works, and it moves us closer to our goal of improving the lives of remote, rural and regional communities in Australia and around the world with an aircraft that conquers the tyranny of distance with zero emissions.”
AMSL revealed the historic test flight was performed by remote control in the Central West region of NSW, with hydrogen-fuelled testing set to begin next year.
Chief executive Max York added: “Today marks a huge milestone on AMSL Aero’s journey and places the company on a very short list of global leaders in advanced eVTOL development.
“Very few aircraft companies build a full-scale aircraft and get it safely off the ground. What AMSL Aero has achieved with a small, focused team is incredible and shows what can be done when you have a clear vision and amazing talent.”
AMSL Aero last year received $5.43 million in federal government funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology for Vertiia.
In total, the firm has received deposits for 26 Vertiia aircraft orders from civil customers, including 20 from Aviation Logistics, which operates the Air Link, AirMed and Chartair brands covering passenger services, aircraft charter, air freight and aeromedical flights across Australia.
It comes after Australian Aviation reported earlier this year how AMSL Aero landed its first partnership in New Zealand.
The firm will work with aeromedical organisation Life Flight New Zealand to support the future use of its Vertiia electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the country.
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