Supernal’s four-passenger S-A2 eVTOL aircraft is making its international debut at the Farnborough Airshow this week. For many, it will allow their first glimpse of a new mode of public transportation intended to break the tyranny of crowded roads in and around cities.
The company’s engineering team is now building a full-scale technology demonstrator version of the all-electric aircraft that it aims to start flying later this year. On Monday, GKN Aerospace delivered the first composite wings, with booms set to arrive at Supernal’s California facility by the end of this month. The aircraft will prepare the way for the first S-A2 prototype, which the company expects to be ready for flight in 2025.
“We want to push the limits of the technology with the demonstrator to see what is feasible for entry into service in 2028,” explained Supernal CEO Jaiwon Shin. “We’re doing this before we go straight to a prototype because we can mature some systems like the flight controls and energy storage, and it also builds our teamwork.”
Shin also serves as president of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group, which owns Supernal. He said that the automotive manufacturer’s executive chairman Euisun Chung has a strong personal commitment to advanced air mobility, providing backing that allows the company to take a somewhat more patient and methodical approach to readying a vehicle for commercial service.
“His vision is that we should be working for progress to help humanity. It might sound idealistic, but he really means it because he feels we are indebted to our customers,” Shin said. Essentially, Hyundai believes that while it is putting new cars on the highway every day, it carries a responsibility and an opportunity to address what Shin called “pain points” in terms of traffic congestion and environmental impact.
When the S-A2 enters service, it will fly to a range of around 52 nm and a cruise speed of 104 knots. Supernal has indicated it will operate the aircraft itself in some early use cases but also expects to make fleets available to third-party operators.
“We’re talking with potential customers, including some airlines,” Shin explained. “We think there could be a lot of demand for sightseeing and public services like medical evacuation, and alternatives to today’s helicopter ferry services could be another market.”
Rapid Production Ramp-up Required
As it accelerates engineering work toward initial FAA type certification, Supernal is conducting a comprehensive analysis of all potential markets for eVTOL aircraft. “In the first five years, this will be a small market, said Shin. "First, we need to get the public to accept this. We’re not replacing anything; we’re augmenting transportation options so safety is of the utmost importance. If we cannot demonstrate that the vehicle is as safe as commercial aviation the market will not open up.”
Supernal wants to be ready for a rapid acceleration in building the S-A2, and Hyundai’s backing could prove very helpful.
“When the market starts scaling up, it’s not going to be just 30 aircraft per month,” Shin predicted. “It’s going to be an order of magnitude, and maybe two times higher [in terms of production rates]. The name of the game will be who can produce that many vehicles with consistent quality, and so our mantra is getting the right product at the right time rather than getting to market first.”
Hyundai’s worldwide presence will help fulfill Supernal’s desire to achieve a seamless integration of ground and air transportation. While the U.S. is an important market, the company wants to be ready to deliver and operate aircraft in any market.
Although it is not an FAA requirement, Supernal has committed to achieving the 10-9 safety standard required by Europe’s EASA regulator. Shin said the company is carefully considering where to prioritize service entry, based in part on its capability to support operators with maintenance.
On Tuesday, Supernal announced a new partnership with Sigma Air Mobility to explore opportunities to develop advanced air mobility in both South and Southeast Asia and Southern Europe. Sigma Air Mobility, which is part of the business aviation services group Luxaviation, will focus on plans for infrastructure and investments in these potentially key markets.