Amidst a flurry of trials exceeding 50 remote-controlled flights across New South Wales, Sydney startup AMSL Aero is poised to take its innovative long-range electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to new heights by 2027.
The test flight was conducted using battery power under remote control within the Central West region of New South Wales in early November. The Vertiia, an innovative aircraft, combines the versatility of a helicopter with the efficiency of a fixed-wing plane, boasting a range of up to 1,000km, powered by emissions-free hydrogen fuel, cruising at 300km/h while accommodating four passengers, including a pilot.
AMS Advanced Materials and Structures Ltd (AMSL Aero) plans to initiate hydrogen-powered flight testing of its Vertiia aircraft in 2025, with the aim of securing regulatory clearance for commercial use by 2027.
The company’s cofounder and chief engineer, Andrew Moore, reported that they have secured deposits for 26 Vertiia aircraft orders from civilian customers, including 20 from Aviation Logistics, which operates Air Link, Air Med, and Chartair.
“As I watched Vertiia soar through the air in free flight, it was a truly humbling experience that showcased the exceptional expertise of our talented engineering team, including myself.”
“This milestone serves as compelling evidence that our pioneering design, conceived seven years ago, has stood the test of time, ultimately drawing us closer to our ambitious goal of improving the lives of people living in rural and regional communities across Australia and globally, by harnessing the power of a zero-emissions aircraft capable of bridging the gap created by distance.”
The AMSL Aero Vertiia embarked on its inaugural unimpeded test flight over regional NSW.
AMS Aero is headquartered at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport, having secured over $50 million in funding from investors and government entities, including a $23 million Series B round in 2022 led by the St Baker Power Innovation Fund, with support from IP Group Australia, TelstraSuper, and Hostplus.
The Australian Renewable Power Company has provided AMSL with a grant of AU$5.43 million, covering 50% of the AU$10.86 million required to develop the Vertiia project. Prior to 2020, the federal government provided support to AMSL through a $3 million Cooperative Analysis Centres Tasks grant.
Founded in 2017, the startup initially explored innovative technologies before pivoting from a battery-powered plane concept to a more sustainable option: a hydrogen gas cell.
Vertia is an innovative eight-motor tilting-wing aircraft designed to take off and land on helipads or similarly sized touchdown sites. The initial civil variant will be certified for piloted operation, with autonomous capabilities installed for future remote-piloted applications.
The air ambulance configuration accommodates a pilot, a paramedic and/or physician, and the patient, while also offering options for passenger transport (one pilot and four passengers) or cargo capacity of up to 500 kg.
According to Moore, the plane’s operating costs over the long term are likely to be on par with those of short-range domestic airliners.
The futuristic design of the AMSL Aero Vertiia takes flight in a striking air ambulance rendition, its sleek lines and aerodynamic contours evoking a sense of hope and rescue as it soars through the skies.
