Lyte Aviation Announces SkyClinic VTOL Aircraft Concept

Indian leasing group Vman Aviation Services has placed 10 conditional purchase orders for the new SkyClinic aeromedical version of the SkyBus LA-44 hydrogen-electric VTOL aircraft being developed by Lyte Aviation. The companies announced the deal on Thursday, reporting that it has a potential value of €500 million ($589 million) with Vman committed to paying a €10 million deposit when two unspecified milestones are reached.

UK-based Lyte Aviation has been developing the passenger-carrying SkyBus LA-44 model since 2023, but has not indicated when it will be ready to start flight testing a prototype. The tandem tiltwing design will carry between 19 and 40 passengers with an anticipated range of up to 1,000 kilometers (544 nm), using a fuel cell-based propulsion system developed by developed by H3 Dynamics. A freighter version called the SkyTruck would have a payload of around 9,900 pounds.

The SkyClinic design includes an interior equipped as a medical center in which up surgeons and nurses can support up to six patients at a time. According to Lyte, it could be equipped with the latest remote robotic surgical equipment. The aircraft is expected to be able to land in spaces as short as 50 meters (164 feet).

Mumbai-based Vman provides aircraft for multiple types of operator, from regional start-ups to legacy carriers. According to the company's CEO,Vishok Mansingh, the SkyClinic will support the delivery of medical services “directly to underserved locations” across India, particularly where it is impractical or uneconomical to build specialized hospitals.

Lyte Aviation believes its aircraft’s VTOL capabilities will allow it to “position itself at the doorstep” of disaster zones, conflict regions or otherwise underserved communities. According to start-up, it now holds provisional pre-orders for 33 orders for the SkyBus, SkyClinic and SkyTruck models.