Australian start-up airline Wilbur Air plans to operate 100 of the five-passenger Integrity eVTOL aircraft under development by Spain's Crisalion Mobility. The companies announced an agreement covering the pre-orders for the battery-electric vehicles on Wednesday at the Farnborough Airshow.
Wilbur Air is a subsidiary of Melbourne-based advanced air mobility infrastructure developer Skyportz. It plans to operate the aircraft, which will operate at a range of up to around 71 nm, to connect a network of vertiports it intends to build in cities across the country, in some cases using existing locations such as car parks.
Crisalion has developed its patented FlyFree propulsion and stability system, with four sets of quad-rotor units attached to a pair of booms on a fixed-wing. It believes this will deliver a higher degree of control and reliability than rival lift-and-cruise and multicopter eVTOL designs.
The technology uses control software to “translate” pilot inputs into the 16 rotors and has been developed with a company called Technalia. The rotors tilt at up to 30 degrees.
The company aims to have the piloted Integrity certified and ready to enter service in 2030, operating at speeds of up to 136 knots. In addition to passenger flights, it envisions applications such as freight deliveries, emergency service support, and tourist sightseeing.
According to Crisalion's managing director Manuel Heredia, the company is consulting with prospective customers to refine the design. For instance, it is looking to build in the flexibility to change the cabin configuration for roles that could also include freight deliveries, emergency medical services, and tourist sightseeing. One change implemented so far will make it possible to carry golf bags.
Business aviation group iJet recently placed a provisional sales agreement for 10 of the Integrity aircraft with plans to operate these in destinations around Malaga and potentially the Balearic Islands. On July 8, Spain Euroairlines signed a contract for 5 more units.
Scale Model Will Test Automation Controls
Having already flown a technology demonstrator, Crisalion plans to fly another scale model later this year. One objective is to evaluate a new FlyFree feature that allows the pilot to transfer authority between the automation system and the aircraft conventional flight controls as it transitions from vertical to cruise flight.
The program timeline calls for the first flights with a full-scale aircraft to be achieved in 2026, followed by the first conforming aircraft in 2027. Crisalion wants to exhibit a full-scale mock-up at the Paris Air Show next year.
Heredia told AIN the company is now negotiating with potential suppliers and partners. It intends to act as an integrator for the aircraft's key systems.
Crisalion is now engaged in a second phase of fundraising, and is seeking to double the €20 million it raised so far. Next year, it plans to launch a more ambitious round that could include investors from beyond Europe, including potentially the Middle East. In April it opened a subsidiary in Qatar.