AIR partners with International SeaKeepers Society to promote eVTOLs on yachts
AIR has partnered with The International SeaKeepers Society to promote its eVTOL for use as auxiliary equipment on superyachts.
As an official AIR brand ambassador, SeaKeepers is aiming to raise awareness of eVTOL use cases amongst the yachting community. AIR said using its ONE eVTOL on yachting expeditions simplifies near-shore commutes, because it eliminates the need to carry aviation fuel and a variety of spare parts, removes the need for a professional pilot and enables charging using onboard generators.
Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of AIR, said: “As AIR enters the next stages of growth, we are excited to deliver the value of personal electric flight to additional industries and communities. In addition to helping improve yacht logistics, this partnership enables yachters to add an extra layer of sky-high adventure to sea excursions and is a significant step in our mission to advance air mobility adoption around the world.”
The ONE is an all-electric two-seater eVTOL offering a practical range on a single charge at speeds up to 155mph (250 km/h). The aircraft allows owners to take off and land on any flat surface with a 250kg payload, including a yacht deck. Also, collapsible wings and a compact size can make it suitable to store onboard.
Jay Wade, chairman of SeaKeepers, said: “The eVTOL is a natural addition to yachting missions. AIR ONE specifically is a no-brainer for yachters looking for an environmentally friendly, easy-to-integrate flight option to elevate their yacht experience, literally and figuratively.”
Since coming out of stealth just over a year ago, AIR unveiled the ONE at the Kentucky Derby in May, 2022. Two months later it had successfully completed initial hover testing. In December, the firm announced successful forward flight testing of its full-scale prototype keeping it on track to deliver the first batch of AIR ONE vehicles late 2024.
Elsewhere, the Israeli-based firm also announced recent partnerships include air mobility companies FlyOnE and AeroAuto, establishing a network to service and support AIR’s growing community of users.
