Eve Air Mobility (“Eve”) (NYSE: EVEX; EVEXW) has achieved a key milestone in the progression of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) through a collaborative partnership with global private aviation leader Flexjet. Together, the companies have conducted an initial software simulation of Eve’s cutting-edge Urban Air Traffic Management (Urban ATM) solution. The initiative validated and refined the software through user testing and feedback on its interface and industry value.
With London being one of the world’s foremost helicopter markets and a key focus for future eVTOL operations, the simulation took place over four days this month at Flexjet’s Tactical Control Centre at Farnborough Airport, UK, and saw Eve’s Urban ATM software shadowing live helicopter flights operated by Flexjet’s UK helicopter division, performing the kind of services that will be essential to enabling future UAM operations. Flexjet operates a fleet of 11 helicopters in the UK and its group of companies is one of Eve’s Urban ATM Fleet Operator customers.
Leading UK helicopter operator Flexjet provided its helicopter fleet to perform flights, collaborating closely with Eve’s Urban ATM team. NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services, and London Heliport supported the initiative by providing additional feedback to help ensure Eve’s solution will provide the greatest value to all UAM ecosystem participants.
“This collaboration with Flexjet represents a significant step forward in our efforts to advance urban air mobility,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. “We are committed to exploring innovative solutions that will enhance current operations and contribute to the future of urban flights.”
Eli Flint, Flexjet President of Global Helicopter Operations, added: “We were delighted to provide Flexjet’s UK helicopter expertise and to play a key role in forging the UAM ecosystem of tomorrow, helping to inform the movements of the next generation of vertical aircraft. Flexjet is dedicated to advancing the aviation solutions that will meet our customers’ needs over the coming years, and we are excited by the potential of eVTOLs for seamless and sustainable electric short-range flights.”
The initiative encompassed various aspects of operations, including regular business operations, atypical scenarios and flights tailored to an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft’s specific needs, enabling the demonstration of product behavior in various real-world scenarios. The integration of vertiports to efficiently manage resources was the primary focus of the test, in addition to verifying and validating a subset of the Urban ATM product capabilities, with a specific emphasis on the UAM fleet operator support tool.
Eve’s objective with this collaboration was to provide insights into the services required to support future eVTOL operations safely and efficiently. Another aim was to investigate whether these new services may have immediate value for existing helicopter operations. Following the simulation, Eve and Flexjet will review the findings and discuss recommendations for improvements, changes, and potential integration requirements. The companies will also continue to explore opportunities for further integration of existing software tools, enhancing the potential of the Urban ATM solution.
Electric UAM has the capability to improve the affordability of urban flights for communities, compared to current helicopter operations, and features a streamlined and efficient design, which contributes to reduced operational and maintenance costs. Eve’s Urban ATM solutions will support this by maximizing the utilization of aircraft and vertiports, further reducing operational costs.
This innovative collaboration between Eve and Flexjet is a testament to their commitment to shaping the future of urban air mobility and providing efficient and sustainable solutions for the future of urban transportation.
About Eve Air Mobility
Eve is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer S.A.’s more than 50-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, a comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution. Since May 10, 2022, Eve has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange, where its shares of common stock and public warrants trade under the tickers “EVEX” and “EVEXW.” For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
Follow Eve on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube: @Eveairmobility
About Flexjet
Flexjet is a global leader in subscription-based private aviation. Long-established in the U.S. fractional jet ownership market since 1995, its European operation launched in 2019 based in London’s Mayfair, with a Tactical Control Centre at Farnborough Airport, and an Operational Centre in Malta.
In Europe, Flexjet offers shared ownership of its premium fleet of business jets, including the Embraer Praetor 600 and Gulfstream G650. Internationally the exclusive fleet includes the Embraer Phenom 300, Praetor 500, Bombardier Challenger 350, the Gulfstream G450 and G650. Red Label by Flexjet, a market differentiator, features the most modern fleet in the industry, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and the LXi Cabin Collection of interiors.
Flexjet’s European operation is compliant with the International Standard for Business Aviation Operators (IS-BAO) and is a Wyvern Wingman Certified Operator. In the U.S. its fractional aircraft programme was the first in the world to be recognised as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, is the first and only company to be honoured with 23 FAA Diamond Awards for Excellence, upholds an ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating, and is IS-BAO compliant at Level 2.
Flexjet’s helicopter division offers flying programmes and on-demand charter access to its fleet of owned and operated helicopters, including the Sikorsky S-76, Agusta AW109 and AW169, serving locations in the United Kingdom, northeastern United States, and southern Florida.
In Europe Flexjet holds a 4AIR Silver Rating, recognising its leading approach to sustainability. This includes offsetting 300% of carbon emissions for every flight, with Owners also able to commit to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); and invest in the Aviation Climate Fund (ACF) to support future flight research and development projects. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies.
