AIR VEV AIR ONE (technology demonstrator)

(Photo credit: AIR VEV)

AIR ONE (technology demonstrator)
AIR VEV Ltd
Pardes Hanna, Israel
www.airev.aero

AIR VEV Ltd was founded in 2018 (originally called Polarity Mobility) by chief technical officer Chen Rosen and is based in Pardes Hanna, Israel. The team later expanded to include chief executive officer Rani Plaut and chief operational officer Netanel Goldberg. The company is in the business of designing and manufacturing passenger electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM). The company has stated they provide solutions for private flight, aiming specifically to allow individual consumers the freedom to "drive the skies" and experience the exhilaration of operating a sports vehicle in the third dimension. (Image credits: AIR VEV Ltd)

AIR ONE passenger eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft
The AIR ONE is a fixed-wing two passenger eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft. Both passengers will have access to the aircraft's controls, allowing co-piloting to be conducted. The aircraft is very modern is design and has been made specifically designed for long range travel and is able to to traverse large metropolitan areas as well as travel easily in rural areas.

The estimated cruise speed of the demonstrator is 155 mph (249 km/h) and has an expected range of 110 mi (177 km). The empty weight of the aircraft is 2,138 lb (970 kg). There are eight propellers (four pairs of stacked propellers), eight electric motors and is powered by battery packs. There is a canopy over the cockpit providing excellent views for both passengers. The aircraft has one high main wing and boom mounted vertical stabilizers. The technology demonstrator has fixed quadricycle wheeled landing gear.

The range of the AIR ONE is credited in part to the lightness of the aircraft and its high main wing. The propellers and wings of the AIR ONE do not tilt and the absence of machinery needed to tilt the propellers and wings reduces the weight of the aircraft.

Photos from the AIR AIR ONE's first full transition flight on Dec. 18, 2022.

The aircraft incorporates AIR's "fly by intent" system, currently utilized in drones manufactured by AIR, which allows those with little experience flying to pilot the AIR ONE safely and easily. The aircraft is also planned to include technology that will automatically monitor the status of the craft to ensure safety of operation for passengers. The wings of the aircraft may be folded towards the vehicle, and while in this configuration it may fit in any parking spot sized for a car. A 60% scale prototype of the AIR ONE has undergone uncrewed flight-testing and a full scale model is currently in development.

AIR currently seeks to receive certification from the FAA for the aircraft by 2023. The AIR ONE is currently available for what the company calls a pre-order waitlist.

If you notice, in the picture above and the pictures directly below, the production aircraft concept design is a more streamlined aircraft with retractable quadricycle wheeled landing gear. The AIR ONE production model has also been designed to fit on a trailer for ground transportation. The company states the wings are extremely simple due to fold due to AIR VEV's patented folding mechanisms. The entire folding process can be completed by a single person in five minutes.

On Dec. 20, 2022, AIR announced that the AIR ONE had completed its first transition from VTOL to forward flight. The demonstration occurred in a flight in Israel on Dec. 18, and involved an AIR ONE aircraft loaded to full capacity — 2,425 lb (1,100 kg). In a statement, the company said that the flight is that start of a comprehensive test campaign as part of its certification process with the FAA. "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," added CEO Rani Plaut.

On Feb. 21, 2024 AIR VEV Ltd announced it had partnered with Nidec Motor Corporation to develop the motor for the AIR ONE, the company’s production model of its two-seat passenger eVTOL aircraft.

As of 2024, the company is still developing its AIR ONE passenger eVTOL production line and continues with its flight testing program.

Computer-generated images of the AIR ONE.

AIR ONE technology demonstrator photos.

Specifications:

• Aircraft type: Passenger eVTOL technology demonstrator aircraft
• Capacity: 2 passengers, pilot and passenger
• Cruise Speed (estimated): 155 mph (249 km/h)
• Range (estimated): 110 mi (177 km)
• Empty weight: 2,138 lb (970 kg)
• Maximum payload weight: 550 lb (250 kg)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 2,688 lb (1,220 kg)
• Propellers: 8 propellers
• Electric motors: 8 electric motors
• Power source: Batteries
• Windows: Canopy over cockpit
• Wing: 1 main high-wing
• Tail: Boom mounted vertical stabilizers
• Landing gear: Fixed quadricycle wheeled landing gear
• Safety features: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP), provides safety through redundancy for its passengers and/or cargo. DEP means having multiple propellers (or ducted fans) and motors on the aircraft so if one or more propellers (ducted fans) or motors fail, the other working propellers (or ducted fans) and motors can safely land the aircraft. There are also redundancies in the sub-systems of the aircraft. Having multiple redundant systems on any aircraft decreases having any single point of failure. If for some reason, all propellers stop working, the aircraft can also land conventionally on runway or road. There is also a whole aircraft emergency ballistic parachute in case of an unexpected inflight emergency.

Related Aircraft:

• AIR VEV AIR ONE Cargo (production model)

Resources:

• AIR VEV Ltd website
• AIR VEV Ltd Facebook
• AIR VEV Ltd YouTube Channel
• AIR VEV Ltd Instagram
• AIR VEV Ltd LinkedIn
• Article: AIR ONE eVTOL lures owner-flown customers with "fly by Intent" simplicity, Future Flight, Oct. 19, 2021
• Article: AIR Unveils AIR ONE: The eVTOL Empowering Consumers with the Freedom to Fly, PR Newswire, Oct. 19, 2021
• Article: Air targets mass production and fun with its One personal eVTOL, New Atlas, Oct. 19, 2021
• Article: Israeli startup AIR unveils flying vehicle to be used 'like cars', Reuters, Oct. 19, 2021
• Article: Meet the Air One, the New Two-Person eVTOL You Can Park in Your Garage, Robb Report, Oct. 19, 2021
• Article: Israeli startup unveils electric ‘flying car’ for consumer travel, Times of Israel, Oct. 21, 2021
• Article: AIR One Displayed at the Kentucky Derby, Electric VTOL News, June 21, 2022
• Article: Air One personal eVTOL aircraft completes hover test flight in June, Vertical Magazine, July 12, 2022
• Video: AIR ONE eVTOL Full Scale Test Flight, AIR EVTOL, July 12, 2022
• Article: Israeli startup’s personal flying vehicle takes off for cruise flight test, Times of Israel, Dec. 22, 2022.
• Video: AIR ONE | Your Dream Supercar that Flies, AIR EVTOL, Jan. 18, 2023
• Article: AIR and Nidec Partner on VTOL Motor, Electric VTOL News, Apr. 29, 2024