Company Says Autorotation, Power-Off Gliding Allow for Simpler Approval than Other eVTOLS

Martin Peryea of Electric Air Mobility (under the AIRO Group umbrella) has commented on the impending boom in eVTOL air taxi operations, noting that his own firm's progress is promising for service in 2025.

"The eVTOL industry in 2022 has demonstrated that the market for air taxis is indeed coming, and the regulatory community is facing the challenges head-on. Entering into this market, having certified several aircraft, the design of the Jaunt Journey was based on bringing the proven Slowed Rotor Compound technology to market with a clear certification path as a rotorcraft," said Peryea. 

He seemed eager to clarify that the company does not believe Jaunt's aircraft falls under the recent changes to codify eVTOL performance, saying they are already covered under Parts 27 & 29 's standards surrounding vertical takeoff and landing requirements. They believe their slowed rotor tech will always allow a safe landing by auto rotating in a slow descent or gliding to a controlled landing - no BRS required.

"Jaunt is one of the most uniquely positioned companies in the eVTOL world. The fundamental aircraft technologies of the Slowed-Rotor Compound have been proven over the past quarter century. The world-class team now has the backing of the highly respected AIRO Group and tie-ups with impressive global partners. Perhaps most importantly, there are already existing rotorcraft airworthiness standards for the US Federal Aviation Administration, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and Transport Canada under which the Jaunt Journey can be certificated. There's a lot of hard work ahead of Jaunt, but the company is well-positioned to meet its goals," said Jaunt in a release, quoting Mike Hirschberg, Executive Director of The Vertical Flight Society.

The company said it's "very confident about the SRC system's technology maturity and its technology partners' ability to meet Part 29 requirements, which will also comply with the EASA Special Condition for VTOL (SC-VTOL) for "Category Enhanced."". Whether that turns out or not, however, remains to be seen.

FMI: www.jauntairmobility.com