Image: Courtesy of Nautilis Aviation
Nautilus Aviation will operate electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to tourist attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef by 2026, after ordering 10 aircraft from Embraer company Eve Urban Air Mobility.
On 4 December Nautilus and Embraer announced a partnership focused on accelerating the development of the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem in Australia.
Nautilus Aviation CEO Aaron Finn said Nautilus has had an Advanced Ecotourism Certification for eight years, but the company has found it difficult to avoid the biggest impact of greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fuel in the company’s helicopters.
“This will allow us to provide emission-free and quiet tours over the Great Barrier Reef, providing an unmatched eco-experience to our customers,” Mr. Finn said.
Eve’s all-electric UAM vehicle was first unveiled in 2018 and has since gained orders across the world, including Scandinavia, the Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and the United States.
The Eve platform is generating interest in Australia. In September this year Eve and Melbourne helicopter operator Microflite Helicopter announced a partnership to develop Urban Air Mobility operations.
On 6 December Sydney Seaplanes Pty Ltd announced an order for 50 Eve aircraft, to begin greater Sydney tourism and commuter flights from 2026.
Urban Air Mobility and the rise of electric vertical takeoff aircraft will be part of the debate at Australia’s premier helicopter and unmanned flight exposition, ROTORTECH 2022, 21-23 June in Brisbane.
