Australian company AMSL Aero has successfully completed the first free flight of its hydrogen-electric Vertiia vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) passenger vehicle.
The remotely controlled test flight, which took place in the Central West region of New South Wales, was powered by the vehicle’s battery. The company plans to begin hydrogen-fueled flight testing of the Vertiia in 2025.
The Vertiia, designed to carry four passengers and a pilot, has a range of 620 miles and a cruising speed of 185 mph. Its hybrid design allows it to take off vertically like a helicopter and then transition to fixed-wing flight for efficient cruising.
AMSL Aero co-founder and chief engineer, Andrew Moore, described the free flight as a significant milestone, marking progress toward the company’s goal of improving connectivity in remote and regional areas with zero-emission aircraft.
AMSL Aero has already secured customer deposits for 26 Vertiia vehicles and holds an agreement with the Philippines Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to bring hydrogen-electric VTOLs to the region. The partnership aims to establish a hydrogen energy ecosystem to connect the Philippines’ islands with both passenger and freight air services.
The company has also received orders for the Vertiia from Aviation Logistics, one of Australia’s largest aviation groups. Aviation Logistics plans to use the aircraft for passenger, cargo, and aeromedical services, with flights potentially starting as early as 2027, pending regulatory approval.
Additionally, AMSL Aero has received a $3.6 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop a fuel cell system for the Vertiia and has raised $32 million in funding from private investors and government programs.
