Inside the Aussie company building the aircraft of the future
An Aussie company's revolutionary aircraft that takes off like a helicopter but flies like a plane has moved beyond the testing phase into production.
It’s a cross between a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft but runs at a fraction of the cost, and could soon be a common site in the skies above.
The Vertiia eVTOL – short for electric vertical takeoff and landing – is the brainchild of Australian company AMSL Aero based in Sydney’s south west.
“We’re flying already and have been since last year,” AMSL Aero chief executive officer Dr Adriano Di Pietro told news.com.au.
The team behind the eVTOL has already chalked up more than 150 test flights with their second flight test vehicle, reaching more than 100km/hr in forward speed, and running their motors and systems for more than 300 hours.
“We are now building our third aircraft as we speak, and we are doing this right here at Bankstown Aerodrome,” Dr Di Pietro said.
The company currently employs more than m50 staff but is planning to boost numbers as demands for the aircraft grow.
“We have a very talented team and like every growth business we strive to get more of the best people, that’s an ongoing thing that you do,” Dr Di Pietro said.
“Australia has great talent, we have got a really great talent pool for aerospace, what we need in my view, is companies like AMSL Aero that are bringing that talent together and showing what we can do in Australia.
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“Australia needs an aerospace and aviation industry that is strong because besides connecting our communities and keeping the country running, it drives innovation and advanced manufacturing – the kid we should do in Australia and it inspires people to get into engineering and into science,” he said.
“What better way to show what you have built if you are working on the production when you can point to a revolutionary aircraft flying overhead.
“In Australia, we talk about a STEM future and the need for more engineers – and we’ve got to have companies like AMSL Aero, that is an original equipment manufacturer on a mission to redefine an industry and bring a supply chain together,” Dr Di Pietro said.
“Australia has a long history of aerospace development.
“We’re on a very clear path way which has been mapped by CASA (Civil Aviation and Safety Authority) who are the regulators, which we are on right now.
“We are marching down that path at the moment – so this isn’t just vapour wear and renders and beautiful images, it’s real and a key part of what we are doing is around manufacturing,” he said.
With room for four passengers, as well as the pilot, the aircraft has a flying range of 1000 km when operated on hydrogen power. It comes with a current price tag of around $A5m and operates at 70pc of the cost of the helicopter so is much cheaper over the lifetime of service.
“Our aircraft is a mix between a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. Vertiia takes off vertically, so you don’t need an airport or a runway. Vertiia can hover, and then fly forward, fast and long range like a fixed-wing aircraft.
“We like to say they are guilt-free and sustainable,” Dr Di Pietro said.
“Our aircraft – like what many people now face with their electric cars – have much, much lower maintenance costs, you’ve got a motor and battery and a hydrogen system.
“So, these aircraft are going to be much more sustainable for operators going forward”.
But while the Jetsons may have teased the concept of flying cars – Dr Di Pietro said that is still a far way off.
“These won’t be sold to the average person on the street in replacement for a car,” he said.
“These will be purchased by aviation operators that would otherwise have to buy a polluting, very expensive, limited range, noisy helicopter or an aircraft that would have to land on a runway and are quite expensive to operate and maintain.” The company has also designed and developed a drone called Astiia and has secured orders from the Australian Defence Force.
While the company is on track for its 2030 “entry into service” date for the Vertiia, Dr Di Pietro said they are currently seeking additional investors, having hired independent corporate advisory firm Allunga to help them raise capital. Existing shareholders include IP Group Australia, Hostplus and Telstra Super. The company has also secured a number of successful government grants.
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“We’ve got to have good capital to really support businesses that are manufacturing – those that aren’t just doing software – but are making stuff in Australia,” he said.
“That is a key to the innovation ecosystem – bringing together that private equity with government support and grants that will really lead to a future made in Australia.”
This article is part of the Back Australia series, which was supported by Australian Made Campaign, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.
