Bristow and Overair sign MoU to commercialize eVTOLs

Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) developer Overair has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bristow Group to collaborate on the commercialization of Overair’s Butterfly aircraft.

 The two companies will develop an operations development framework for the aircraft focusing on ‘vehicle design considerations, key performance parameters, FAA certification, flight planning best practices, data sharing for improvement of flight operations, connected vehicle and health monitoring strategies, configuration and maintenance protocols, infrastructure, ground support operations, connected fleet management, and government affairs and promotion of eVTOL operations.’

In addition, Bristow has pre-ordered 20 Butterflies under the agreement, with the potential to extend the order to include an additional 30 aircraft.

eVTOL operations framework development plans

Work on the operations development framework will begin immediately following the signing of the MoU, and will focus on US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification planning, the development of a robust safety operating culture, as well as the unique elements of VTOL flight operations.

Bristow says that it plans to use the new fleet ‘to help reduce its carbon footprint’ and intends to ‘diversify its existing operations with Butterfly and other eVTOLS for commercial air taxi routes in metropolitan areas.’

The company cited the Butterfly’s vectored thrust configuration, low noise profile, payload capacity, ease of maintenance and ability to fly in inclement weather as key reasons for the acquisition, which it says makes the aircraft well suited to flying high-density, noise sensitive air taxi routes.