President of Jaunt Air Mobility’s Canada division Eric Côté has been added to the board of Aéro Montréal, an organization dedicated to positioning Quebec as a forerunner in the advanced aerial mobility industry.

The mission of Aéro Montréal is to facilitate and provide all expertise and support that may be needed as companies in Montréal begin to develop aerial mobility vehicles and services. Through collaborating with government, infrastructure, and private stakeholders, Aéro Montréal’s board will provide assistance with research & collaborative innovation, investment & financing services, design, prototyping, testing, certification, manufacturing, sales, infrastructure & operation, and more.

Jaunt Air Mobility, which was originally creating vehicles for an Uber Elevate partnership, is now bringing to market an advanced electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which uniquely features a single lift rotor for auto-rotation and to further stabilize flight and reduce noise emissions. Learn more about the Jaunt Journey aircraft here.

Eric Côté has been president of Jaunt Canada for several years, and now looks forward to additionally serving on the Aéro board to make eVTOL a reality in Quebec. Said Côté: “It is an honour to join Aéro Montréal’s board and contribute to bringing AAM to Quebec and the world. At Jaunt, we have committed to designing, building, and certifying the Jaunt Journey in Canada due to the support of organizations like Aéro Montreal, the government, and access to a strong aviation community.”

Said Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal: “We have assembled an incredible pool of expertise to realize our vision of building Quebec’s reputation as a centre of excellence in AAM (Advanced Aerial Mobility). Eric’s global business experience and the company’s mission to develop an eVTOL here make him a very valuable asset.”

In-air rendering of the Jaunt Journey aircraft

Notably, Jaunt has also made entries into to other international markets to commercialize its aircraft and services. So far, it has begun creating partnerships in Italy, Mexico, India, South Korea, South America, and more.

Why it’s important: By partnering with aerial mobility leaders in Quebec, Jaunt can not only offer valuable insight and research to help the city develop this new industry, but also has well-positioned their aircraft to be one of the first to begin operating in the area. By serving on the Aéro Montréal board, Côté can help Quebec to develop aerial mobility support and infrastructure, helping the city to prepare for eVTOL services by Jaunt as well as other new companies.

Source // Jaunt Air Mobility

Related:

• Redwings to Launch eVTOL Air-Taxi Services in Mexico City with Jaunt Air Mobility’s Journey Aircraft
• BLADE Air Mobility signs MoU with Jaunt for Operations in India
• Jaunt and MintAir partner to launch aerial mobility service in South Korea
• Jaunt Air Mobility and Varon Vehicles Partner for Aerial Mobility in Latin America
• L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft

Mexico City, May 4, 2023 – Redwings, a business aviation service group that provides aircraft management, charter, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, announced today its plan to launch eVTOL air-taxi services in Mexico City, with the signing of a letter of intent to purchase up to 20 of Jaunt Air Mobility’s four-passenger Journey eVTOL aircraft. The move is part of Redwings’ strategy to expand its service offerings and meet the growing demand for on-demand air transportation.

Jaunt Air Mobility is an aerospace company that designs and develops advanced air vehicles for urban air mobility. The company’s Journey eVTOL aircraft combines a fixed wing and a rotor with patented slow-rotor compound technology, which reduces drag and vibration by lowering the speed of the main rotor to around 10 rpm during cruise flight. The aircraft is expected to have a maximum speed of 175 mph on flights of up to around 100 miles.

Redwings plans to begin operations in Mexico with 10 units, with options for 10 more, pending the completion of Jaunt’s type certification under Transport Canada Part 529 requirements in 2027. The company is confident in the Journey’s ability to operate at altitude, particularly in Mexico City, which has an elevation of 7,349 feet, higher than Denver, Colorado. According to Redwings President Bernardo Moreno, “The Journey’s highly efficient vertical flight capability enables this aircraft to operate at altitude with no performance limitations.”

Redwings currently operates a fleet of managed aircraft, including Embraer Legacy 600 and Hawker 800XPi jets, and a Bell 505 helicopter. The company also runs a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Queretaro Intercontinental Airport, around 130 miles northwest of Mexico City, and provides business aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

The addition of eVTOL air-taxi services to its portfolio will be a significant growth opportunity for Redwings, as it seeks to leverage the benefits of this technology to deliver faster and more efficient air travel options to its customers. “We are excited to partner with Jaunt Air Mobility to bring their innovative eVTOL technology to our customers,” said Moreno. “Our goal is to provide safe and reliable air-taxi services that deliver the convenience and flexibility our customers need to travel quickly and efficiently within and around Mexico City.”

Redwings’ move into the eVTOL market is in line with the growing trend towards urban air mobility and the use of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft to reduce emissions and congestion in major international cities. With its existing resources, the company is well-poised to take advantage of this trend and position itself as a leader in the aerial mobility industry in Mexico.

Why it’s important: Redwings’ announcement to launch eVTOL air-taxi services with Jaunt Air Mobility’s Journey aircraft in Mexico City represents another key area of internal growth for aerial mobility industry. The Journey aircraft’s unique slow-rotor compound technology makes it well-suited for operating at high altitudes, opening even more markets for the aircraft. Additionally, Redwings’ investment in eVTOL technology with its strong presence in Mexico City highlights the potential for eVTOLs to integrate with existing aviation services and infrastructure.

Related:

• BLADE Air Mobility signs MoU with Jaunt for Operations in India (April 2023)
• Jaunt and MintAir partner to launch aerial mobility service in South Korea (September 2022)
• AIRO Group, parent company of Jaunt, prepares for IPO (April 2022)
• L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft (April 2022)

BLADE, provider of Air Mobility services worldwide, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Jaunt Air Mobility to bring Jaunt’s eVTOL aircraft to India for commercial operations.

Above: Rendering of Jaunt’s Journey aircraft with BLADE branding

BLADE currently operates major helicopter and private jet flights on-demand in urban locations throughout the world, providing the most accessible urban air mobility solution to date. Already, Blade’s prices near UberX prices in New York locations. With the introduction of EVAs (electric vertical aircraft), urban flight will become even more affordable.

With this new agreement, Blade India has agreed to work with Jaunt Air Mobility, a key developer of a unique eVTOL aircraft, to launch electric vertical air mobility networks in India starting in 2027. The MoU states Blade’s intention to purchase 150 Jaunt Journey aircraft, with an option to order another 100 aircraft to meet projected demand.

Currently, India represents the third-large aviation market in the world. Said Amit Dutta, Managing Director of BLADE India: “With its vast expanse and increasing congestion, India is one of the biggest markets in the world for AAM solutions. With BLADE’s first mover advantage in nurturing the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem in India and Jaunt’s technical expertise, this partnership is well poised to pioneer the transition to electric and revolutionize the transportation system.”

Simon Briceno, Chief Commercial Officer for Jaunt, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with an exceptional BLADE India team to pursue the launch of a new form of urban air travel in India and the subcontinent region. ur collaboration with BLADE India and our clear path towards aircraft certification means that the Indian public will soon be able to benefit from the development of a new safe, affordable, and accessible mode of transportation”

According to Jaunt, it’s aircraft design will offer the safety, flexibility, comfort, and efficiency benefits of a helicopter combined with those of a fixed wing airplane, at a fraction of the operational and maintenance costs, all with zero emissions and a very low noise profile.

Branching out to electric air mobility has been part of BLADE’s roadmap for several years now, with plans to augment and eventually possibly entirely replace helicopter routes with all-electric vertical aircraft. To this end, it has also made agreements with Beta Technologies, Boeing’s Wisk, Jet Linx, and EmbraerX’s EVE.

Through this partnership, Jaunt and also will work with Blade to help develop the necessary infrastructure and customer-facing experiences for electric air mobility in India. This will include the introduction of charging infrastructure, as well as use Blade’s existing short haul operational routes in India to integrate the Jaunt Journey.

Why it’s important:

With this agreement, BLADE adds yet another eVTOL maker to its ever-growing list of partners. By cornering the existing market for on-demand helicopter transportation, BLADE has made itself the forerunning company for eVTOL operations going forward, as many of its existing routes and operations can be replaced with eVTOL to save on operating and maintenance costs, and increase demand.

In addition, this agreement markes a major partnership for Jaunt Air Mobility, who has been working on the goal of signing commercial operator agreements with transportation providers globally. Jaunt has already also made partnerships in South Korea and Latin America. It’s partnership with Blade is one of its most significant to date, providing the company with clear and high-potential path to market in India.

Source // BLADE Air Mobility, Global NewsWire

Related:

• BETA and Blade complete first piloted eVTOL flight in New York area
• EmbraerX’s Eve to Provide BLADE with up to 60 eVTOL Aircraft
• Jaunt and MintAir partner to launch aerial mobility service in South Korea
• L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft

MintAir has just signed a Letter of Intent with Jaunt Air Mobility to form a strategic partnership and purchase Jaunt Journey electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. MintAir has agreed to order up to 40 of Jaunt’s aircraft to bring air mobility services to the Korean markets. MintAir will serve as Jaunt’s exclusive Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) partner in the Korean market. 

Jaunt Air Mobility aircraft will be designed and manufactured in Montreal, Canada.  President Eric Cote stated, “Canada is a global exporter of aerospace and with customers like MintAir, Jaunt is developing partnerships worldwide”.

Jaunt is approaching the design and certification of an eVTOL from a unique market position utilizing Slowed Rotor Compound (SRC) technologies and partnerships with Tier 1 aerospace suppliers. “The Jaunt Journey’s aircraft design offers the safest air taxi configuration that is operationally efficient, quiet, and sustainable,” says Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt. Martin Peryea has more than 40 years of commercial aviation experience certifying rotorcraft.

MintAir is building an AAM service in the Republic of Korea and will work with Jaunt to launch commercial passenger air transportation operations in several Korean markets. MintAir intends to launch AAM services with a particular type of eVTOL design, electric rotorcraft with a single main rotor like the Jaunt Journey. Electric rotorcraft provide superior safety through autorotation, energy-saving efficiency, lower operating costs, and a clear path to certification.

“Our mission is to develop the safest Advanced Air Mobility service in both urban and rural environments based on sound ESG management,” quoted Eugene Choi, CEO of MintAir, and “Jaunt Air Mobility is committed to those same principles throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle. And we are confident the Jaunt Journey will transport the public with the highest level of safety.”

“We are pleased to team with MintAir to bring this new form of advanced air transportation to the Korean markets,” said Simon Briceno, Chief Commercial Officer for Jaunt. “We are excited to showcase our safe and efficient aircraft to the Korean public.”

Why it’s important: Jaunt does not expect to start delivering the Journey until 2026. However, last month the company announced it intends to establish a final assembly line for its aircraft in India before the end of this decade to serve the South Asian market. The move is based on its earlier partnership with the country’s L&T Technology Services group. This announcement, as well as the reveal of intentions to serve the South Korean market, will likely bolster the valuation of Jaunt’s parent company, AIRO Group, as it nears the final stages of an initial public offering (IPO).

AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (AIRO) today announced that it has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) relating to the proposed initial public offering of its common stock.

In October of 2021, Jaunt Air Mobility made an initial announcement that the company was joining AIRO Group as a means of pursuing an IPO in 2022.

The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. The registration statement is expected to become effective after the SEC completes its review process, subject to market and other conditions.

Announced last month during the EAA AirVenture Airshow in Oshkosh, AIRO Group has also completed the mergers of six well-aligned global aerospace firms to form a cohesive mid-market aerospace and defense company. AIRO is now in the midst of advancing an ecosystem of aerospace technologies and operational capabilities built with an expertise of successful certification and a proven track record of safety and efficiency.

AIRO’s Electric Air Mobility division is leading with its Jaunt Journey aircraft and is working with Transport Canada towards certification under Chapter 529: Transport Category Rotorcraft. With nearly 300 flight hours and well over 1000 takeoffs and landings, Jaunt touts the Journey’s Slowed Rotor Compound technology to be the safest and quietest eVTOL in certification.

Why it’s important: Under the leadership of industry veteran CEO, Joe Burns, AIRO has aligned its business into four divisions that complete its aerospace and defense offering; Advanced Avionics, Electric Air Mobility, Commercial Drones, and Training. With well-known brands like Aspen Avionics and Jaunt Air Mobility, AIRO is leveraging its core business successes to launch its global portfolio. This will supplement Jaunt’s announcements of contracts and strategic partnerships as AIRO nears its IPO and prospective stockholders assess the company’s valuation.

With strong capital backing of the unified company, a significant book of existing business, and strong pull from its core global market sectors, AIRO has its sights set on accelerated growth via key acquisitions across all divisions.

Related: L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft

Source // Jaunt Air Mobility press release

Jaunt Air mobility, which a few years ago was one of Uber Elevate’s network partners, has since been growing its own urban air mobility business, and is working to develop its aircraft and aerial ridesharing service.

Jaunt has selected L&T technology services, a manufacturing, engineering, and product development and operations firm, to manufacture Jaunt’s ‘Journey’ eVTOL aircraft. L&T is already a massive and highly established firm, whose customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 57 of the world’s top ER&D companies, across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and other industries.

While being directed by Jaunt Air Mobility’s leadership, L&T will create manufacturing-ready systems for the Jaunt Journey such as its power distribution system, air data management, cockpit display system, flight control system, battery management, electrification, power electronics, structural design, and stress analysis systems. It will also conduct aircraft testing, provide certification assistance, and direct overall manufacturing engineering.

The Jaunt Journey aircraft is especially unique in its design, as it only features a single lift rotor. With its single lift rotor, which features signature slowed-rotation technology, Jaunt asserts that its aircraft will be more stable, more efficient, and safer than other designs, given the rotor’s ability to auto-rotate in case of a motor failure, and the rotor’s ability to provide high amounts of lift in forward flight. The aircraft concept has actually been in development for over 20 years, having once been called the Carter Copter.

As part of the contract with L&T, L&T will open an Engineering and R&D Centre in Québec Province for the electric aircraft manufacturer to provide engineering services for the Jaunt Journey eVTOL.

Said Amit Chadha, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, L&T Technology Services: “This deal is a milestone for team LTTS in view of the tremendous opportunities opening up in UAM and drone services which are emerging as alternatives to the increasingly congested on-ground mobility in cities. LTTS has a track record of developing high-performance engineering solutions for global Aerospace and Defense for over a decade and has supported critical defense programs in the past. We believe this program will set the benchmark for future UAM projects and our team is excited to build on this important engagement with Jaunt, with the eventual aim to make urban commuting safer, greener, efficient and reliable”.

Martin Peryea, CEO & CTO of Jaunt, commented: “At Jaunt, our vision is to usher in a range of new-age aircraft-driven urban commuting that is fast, safe, and convenient. This new clean, sustainable aircraft will reduce carbon emissions worldwide. Strategically, we are continuing to grow our Tier 1 partnerships and recognize LTTS as a best-fit engineering partner, and together we are confident of pushing the mass-scale commercialization”.

Why it’s important: As Jaunt begins to make movement into developing its own air mobility business, it is gaining traction with investors. This latest partnership with L&T is a sign that Jaunt is now beginning to deploy its capital into establishing its business, making a key choice with L&T in order to ensure manufacturing expertise in the creation its new vehicle. With this partnership, given L&T’s wealth of experience in engineering development, we can expect to see Jaunt begin to move even more consistently toward a manufacture and commercially ready aircraft to fulfill its vision.

Jaunt has also made a significant number of other partnerships with high-visibility eVTOL components developers. See below for more.

Sources // L&T Technology Services, Jaunt Air Mobility

Related:

• Jaunt Air Mobility to join AIRO Group prior to IPO in 2022 (October 2021)
• Jaunt Air Mobility Awarded Air Force Contract for eVTOL Noise Reduction Research (February 2021)
• Jaunt Air Mobility and Varon Vehicles Partner for Aerial Mobility in Latin America (January 2021)
• Jaunt Air Mobility Announces Partnership with Walle (January 2021)
• Jaunt Air Mobility and VerdeGo Aero Collaborate on Hybrid Electric Aircraft (December 2021)
• Jaunt Air Mobility Appoints Martin Peryea as CEO (October 2020)
• BAE Systems and Jaunt Air Mobility Sign MoU on Electric Energy Management Systems for UAM (December 2019)
• Jaunt and Triumph to Partner on Design and Development of Demonstrator Aircraft (November 2019)
• Jaunt Air Mobility Named as New Uber Elevate Partner (June 2019)
• Carter Copter Acquired by Jaunt Mobility (February 2019)

Jaunt Air Mobility has entered into an agreement to merge with the AIRO Group (US). Jaunt joins a group of six aerospace businesses all engaged in the next generation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) technologies and services. The group offers commercial, military, robotics, manned/unmanned aerial systems and multi-modal aircraft and avionics systems.

The companies will use the capital raised through the merger to support the development of the all-electric, five-seat eVTOL Jaunt aims to bring into commercial service by 2026. While several eVTOL aircraft developers, including Joby, Archer, and Lilium, have raised large amounts of capital by going public via special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), AIRO has opted to proceed straight to an IPO on its own.

Recently, Jaunt Air Mobility was also awarded an Air Force Contract for eVTOL Noise Reduction Research. The eVTOL developer’s patented slowed rotor compound (SRC) technology decelerates the rotor once aloft (the rotor tip speed equaling the aircraft’s speed) thereby reducing drag and associated vibration. In combination with a small wing sized for cruise, this produces a lift to drag ratio equivalent to a fixed wing airplane providing an exceptionally efficient flight with very low noise – noise that is practically imperceptible in flight, according to the company. Jaunt also touts that its Journey aircraft is poised to certify to transport commercial certification requirements, ensuring the highest level of safety.

“AIRO has existing revenue in its current civilian and military operations and has historically reinvested earnings into Independent Research and Development (IRAD). Therefore, additional capital required to produce fully operational eVTOL aircraft is substantially reduced to our advantage compared with our competitors.  The current market capitalization of companies in the eVTOL space and urban air mobility platforms are very significant.  AIRO additionally delivers diversified services across the UAM/Avionics/eVTOL/Defense marketplace.  AIRO is poised to be the leading publicly traded mid-tier aerospace and defense company after the void created by acquisitions in the public marketplace,” said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, Executive Chairman of AIRO.

Why it’s important: As stated by AIRO Group CEO Joe Burns: “together, Jaunt and the other AIRO Group companies offer a transformational, next generation capability for the aerospace industry that addresses high growth markets in advanced air mobility as well as leveraging technologies across markets that benefit the general, business, commercial, and the military aviation community. Additionally, we have the resources, experience, and inherent knowledge to help streamline regulatory compliance and certification among all segments.”

Source // AIRO Group press release

Jaunt Air Mobility designs and manufactures hybrid and electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, and specializes in Reduced rotor Operating Speed aircraft (ROSA™), which combine a fixed-winged aircraft’s efficiency and advanced helicopter performance. The company has recently announced that it has been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract by the US Air Force program AFWERX, via the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Photograph: Jaunt Air Mobility

Under the contract Jaunt will team with Penn State University and Continuum Dynamics, Inc. (CDI) to employ advanced acoustical analysis techniques to characterize noise from Jaunt’s unique Jaunt Journey Compound Gyrodyne VTOL aircraft concept. This is one of three contracts awarded by AFRL to Jaunt under the leadership of Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility.

“The purpose is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the noise sources in our aircraft configurations and the unique noise reduction opportunities,” says Martin Peryea. “We will apply the knowledge to the design of the Jaunt Journey all-electric (eVTOL) aircraft, allowing us to develop the most efficient, ultra-low noise aircraft for our customers in the urban air mobility market as well as cargo, medevac, and close air support military aircraft.”

Leading the Penn State University team is Professor Kenneth Brentner, an internationally renowned expert in aeroacoustics and rotorcraft noise. Dr. Brentner will be assisted by Mr. Dan Wachspress of CDI, the chief developer of CDI’s CHARM comprehensive rotorcraft analysis used throughout the eVTOL industry. Dr. Brentner stated that, “For this research, we will use CDI’s CHARM software coupled with our PSU-WOPWOP and PSU flight simulation software to model the Jaunt test vehicle. This noise prediction system was validated through comparison with NASA acoustic flight tests of six medium to lightweight helicopters in steady and maneuvering flight conditions.”

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, STTR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. Central to the STTR program is the partnership between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. STTR is to bridge the gap between basic science and the commercialization of resulting innovations.

Why it’s important: Jaunt’s government-funded noise research is equivalently applicable to the commercial applications for which the company’s vehicle is also designed. The technologies fostered by STTR programs such as this grant from the AFRL are essential to the forward progress of aerial mobility. Noise minimization is a key driver of public acceptance, and with this contract, Jaunt can work with aeroacoustic experts to expedite the integration of eVTOL aircraft in our airspaces.

Related: Jaunt Air Mobility and Varon Vehicles Partner for Aerial Mobility in Latin America

Source // Jaunt Air Mobility press release

Jaunt Air Mobility, a growing aerial mobility aircraft designer in based in Dallas, TX, and Varon Vehicles, a pioneer in aerial mobility infrastructure abroad, have partnered to begin to build aerial mobility networks in Latin America.

Although Varon Vehicles has in fact released images of a prototype ‘flying car’ design, the company has always been clear that it’s true goal is not to be a manufacturer of these vehicles, but to partner with expert aircraft OEM’s to create a ‘full transportation system’ for countries like Columbia and others in Latin America. As a partner, Varon’s vision is to provide integration of aerial transport into cities through working with regulatory institutions, designing vertiports, providing customer-end service, and even airspace setting up airspace integration and navigation. Essentially, Varon hopes to be the operator for eVTOL air vehicles for Latin American regions, as Uber might soon be in the United States.

Jaunt’s ‘Journey‘ eVTOL featured in the skies of Cartagena, Columbia

Jaunt Air Mobility, meanwhile, is a celebrated designer of an eVTOL that includes a fixed wing, and uses slowed-rotor compound technology for vertical lift to increase efficiency and limit sound. Through these technologies, Jaunt’s ‘Journey’ eVTOL will be able to cover 70 miles in 25 minutes or less, and take-off and land from anywhere. Jaunt had previously partnered with Uber Elevate, and although Elevate has now been acquired by Joby Aviation, the partnership showed Jaunt’s readiness to enter markets in the U.S and abroad within the next few years. Jaunt believes its ‘Journey’ aircraft will be in operation moving people and aircraft by 2026, with demonstrations beginning in 2023.

Varon Vehicles is currently developing a series of Vertiports in Latin America connected to each other via well-defined low altitude virtual lanes through which aircraft like Jaunt Air Mobility’s eVTOL will fly. Vertiports will be placed both inside and outside existing urban areas to alleviate the pressure for city growth, providing transportation services to multiple customers like logistics companies, tourism companies, hospitals, law enforcement and transportation network companies  for air taxi services, all without the need for per-mile physical construction.

Said Felipe Varon, CEO and Founder of Varon Vehicles, “The Varon Vehicles Infrastructure Network is a new form of mobility infrastructure. Technology now makes it possible to tap into unused low altitude airspace over cities and suburbs in an environmentally friendly manner to provide potentially disruptive transportation services and invaluable connectivity. We have chosen to start implementation in Colombia, where we’re working hand in hand with the Colombian civil aviation authority and a host of regional industry partners, as we bring together technologies, like Jaunt’s, for implementation.”

Over the course of 2021, Jaunt Air Mobility will work with Varon Vehicles to understand the unique transportation needs in Latin American cities and will help define the operations and integration of its Journey aircraft into service. This will kickstart the building blocks necessary for early demonstration of the Jaunt Journey aircraft and Varon Vehicles’ operational vision.

Why it’s important: Although Jaunt Air Mobility had previously partnered with Uber Elevate, it has successfully made a quick pivot to work with Varon Vehicles in Columbia and other Latin American countries. Being this fast to begin integrating its vehicles abroad will give Jaunt a great head start into entering its vehicles into operation. In turn, Varon has received a very well-established partner in Jaunt, which brings to Varon a near-certification ready aircraft that has already received major interest from eVTOL operators in the United States like Uber.

Jaunt Air Mobility and Walle announced that they have formed a partnership to provide advanced aerial mobility transit services in Italy. Furthermore, Walle plans to implement and operate this service by 2026, focusing on routes within 50 km. 

“Walle is a perfect strategic partner; our mission at Jaunt is to produce the safest and most efficient eVTOL on the market and work with operators around the world,” says Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. “We feel confident in our ability to commercialize our aircraft by 2026. The unique configuration of combining a fixed-wing airplane and single slow-rotor technology gives us revolutionary performance and the highest level of safety amongst all the eVTOL contenders.”

Currently, Walle is working with the regulatory authorities and mapping out its first key routes for their aerial mobility service, including a route from Milan Airport to the city center of Milan, as well as one connecting the Port of Naples to Capri’s Island. Walle will also intends on providing their services for the Milano Cortina XXV Winter Olympics in 2026. 

Photograph: Jaunt Air Mobility

“Our goal is to change the future of mobility,” says Domenico Gagliardi, founder and CEO of Walle. “Italy, as in much of Europe, is challenged by the time it takes to travel from outside a city to an urban center, often costing two or more hours one way, and the problem is only growing. ‘Going Vertical’, – to the sky is the obvious answer. We believe the Jaunt Journey by Jaunt Air Mobility offers a solution that meets with our core values of providing a safe, comfortable, and ultra-quiet ride for passengers.”

“We see business travelers and tourists utilizing our services. Our focus is entirely on the customer experience and, we believe safety will be a key in the adoption of this form of transit. Because Jaunt offers patented safety features and the ability to meet commercial, regulatory requirements, success is just around the corner,” stated Marco Pugliese, COO at Walle.

Why it’s important: Walle Mobility is the first Italian startup focused on the aerial mobility market. By partnering with Jaunt Air Mobility, both companies gain a competitive advantage in their respective markets. 

Source // Jaunt Air Mobility and Walle Mobility Press Release

Jaunt Air Mobility signs a memorandum of understanding with VerdeGo Aero of Daytona Beach, FL, to explore the development of a hybrid-electric aircraft. The combined technologies of Jaunt Air Mobility and VerdeGo’s hybrid powertrain offer customers the opportunity to fulfill a variety of market segments and missions. Jaunt and VerdeGo plan to develop a hybrid-electric version of the Jaunt aircraft utilizing VerdeGo’s hybrid-electric diesel (Jet-A) generator system combined with same battery systems being used for the Jaunt Journey. The added energy from the hybrid system will enable significant enhancements to mission capability for passenger, cargo, and military variants.

Rendering of how VerdeGo’s electric propulsion technology will integrate into an Airflow cargo eSTOL

Jaunt’s patented technology offers a proven aerodynamic design of a fixed-wing aircraft with efficient vertical take-off and landing capabilities. VerdeGo’s hybrid power system allows for longer missions, faster turnaround operations, and current infrastructure utilization. VerdeGo’s hybrid power systems run on globally-available Jet-A fuel, which will reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 40% when compared to competing turbine products, while providing 4X+ more energy than battery-electric powertrains.

“While confident in the battery-electric Jaunt Journey, for the urban air mobility market, our customers also have different operational mission requirements,” says Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility. “VerdeGo’s system offers a unique bridge to meeting those demands.”

The Jaunt Journey
Photograph: Jaunt Air Mobility

According to NASA, Hybrid-electric architectures have shown the potential for significant improvements when applied to fixed-wing aircraft; such improvements include energy consumption, noise, weight, propulsive efficiency, and aero-propulsive interactions, among others. The U.S. Air Force’s chief acquisition officer, Will Roper has stated that with the military’s goals of flying two to four military personnel 100 miles at speeds above 115 mph, it is likely that these aircraft will be hybrid-electric.

Why it’s important: As VerdeGo Aero’s CEO Eric Bartsch said, “the additional range enabled with VerdeGo’s hybrid system applied in the Jaunt aircraft will enable either longer missions or multiple short back-to-back missions without the requirement for energy infrastructure at every landing site. Rapid turnaround, high utilization, and enhanced mission capability make the hybrid aircraft extremely competitive.”

Source // VerdeGo Aero press release

The two companies will perform a joint study on the future of aircraft electrification for UAM

BAE Systems and Jaunt Air Mobility signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to explore the development of electric energy management systems in urban aerial mobility. This MoU will also have the two companies collaborate on examining current aircraft power management needs and gain a “deeper understanding of the extension of urban traffic into the airspace.”

Photo by Tom Haines.

BAE Systems, having announced their intentions to enter the electric aviation market a few months prior, have made their next step by involving Jaunt Air. “The collaboration with Jaunt Air Mobility leverages the strengths of two industry-leading companies to develop technology for a new ecosystem,” said Ehtisham Siddiqui, vice president and general manager of Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. 

“This strategic collaboration builds on our two decades of heritage as we develop and certify controls and energy management systems for the future of flight.” – Ehtisham Siddiqui

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft – J31 Air to Air. Photo credit: BAE Systems

Jaunt Air Mobility, currently in the process of submitting their own eVTOL as a partner of Uber Elevate, seeks to improve their power systems management through this MoU. Both companies stand to gain a competitive advantage in their respective markets with this agreement, and their alignment in interest is what lead to this collobaration. “BAE Systems’ development and integration expertise in high integrity controls and power management systems gives our business an edge in the development of next generation air vehicles for urban environments,” said Kaydon Stanzione, chief executive officer at Jaunt Air Mobility. 

“Their proven track record from concept design through manufacturing was a major selection consideration for our business as we strive to provide the highest level of safety and efficiency for our aircraft.”  -Kaydon Stanzione

BAE Systems has 20-plus years of experience developing and integrating electric propulsion systems. The company has more than 10,000 electric-hybrid systems on transit buses and marine vessels around the globe, including major cities such as Paris, London, New York, and San Francisco. The company also has more than 40 years of experience in controls and avionics for military and commercial aircraft. 

Jaunt Air Mobility LLC is an aerospace company focused on developing advanced air vehicles that incorporate innovative technologies and management strategies, providing the highest levels of operational efficiencies, safety, and community acceptance. The company is a pioneer and world leader in the aerospace industry with the design and development of its Reduced Rotor Operating Speed Aircraft (ROSA™) solution for urban air mobility.

Why it’s important: WIth the experience in electric propulsion systems provided by BAE and the in-depth knowledge of the UAM market from Jaunt Air Mobility, this MoU is intended to address a lucrative topic in the future, the shift from a hybrid/conventional eVTOL model to a fully electric eVTOL model. The first to develop a working, fully electric eVTOL capable of providing the same benefits as conventional engines will have the ability to dominate both the electric aviation and UAM markets over the next few decades. 

Source // Press Release by BAE Systems

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