Brazilian on-demand charter flight broker Flapper this week committed to including 25 of Jaunt Air Mobility’s Jaunt Journey eVTOL aircraft in its network. Under a letter of intent agreement, the companies say they will work together to provide services in Latin American cities, among them Rio de Janeiro; Sao Paulo; Mexico City; Santiago, Chile; and Bogota, Colombia.
Currently, Flapper offers flights in more than 900 business aircraft, including helicopters, with these being operated by a network of partners. It has not specified who will operate the Jaunt Journey aircraft and on what terms if the deal is finalized with the U.S.-based manufacturer.
Jaunt’s five-seat eVTOL is based on the company’s patented slowed rotor compound technology, which slows the rotor tip speed to reduce drag and vibration. According to the company, this capability combined with a small wing sized for cruise flight produces a lift-to-drag ratio equivalent to that of a fixed-wing aircraft.
Jaunt intends to certify the aircraft under the FAA’s Part 29 rules for commercially operated rotorcraft. It is working on all-electric and hybrid-electric versions, with the latter providing longer range.
“The Jaunt Journey has significant design features that allow it to fly in a variety of weather conditions,” said Jaunt CEO and CTO Martin Peryea. “A single main rotor is the most efficient form of takeoff and landing and has proven capabilities in gusty wind conditions such as [at] coastlines. The aircraft offers a higher level of safety than today’s helicopters.”
Last year, Flapper made similar agreements with Eve Urban Air Mobility to include up to 25,000 hours of flight time annually in its eVTOL aircraft in the same South American cities, without specifying how many aircraft this could involve or how they would be operated. It also has a provisional agreement to include up to 30 of Electra’s planned eSTOL aircraft in its charter network.
“After a thorough examination of the existing urban air mobility architectures, we found Jaunt’s fixed-wing and slowed rotor design to be one of the most efficient and safest aircraft ever projected,” said Flapper CEO Paul Malicki. “Jaunt Journey’s technology boasts performance similar to fixed-wing designs, which is perfect, considering the region’s short runways, rocky shores, and high-altitude airports."
