Brazilian company Moya Aero has achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its electric vertical landing and takeoff vehicle (eVTOL), marking the commencement of the flight testing phase. The event took place over the SDA4 airfield near São José dos Campos, Brazil, signaling a crucial step before the eVTOLs are slated to enter service in 2026.
Designed as high-capacity, autonomous cargo drones, Moya Aero’s eVTOLs have a payload capacity of up to 440 pounds and a travel range of 68 miles. The electric vehicles aim to address logistical challenges and provide access to hard-to-reach locations, offering potential solutions for various markets.
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CEO Alexandre Zaramela, also the designer of the eVTOL, described the successful takeoff as a “remarkable feat” and emphasized the vehicle’s potential to combine sustainability with solutions for diverse markets. With logistics systems facing saturation, Moya Aero aims to position its eVTOL as a viable option.
The company has already secured several deals for the purchase of its eVTOLs. In November, Brazilian geo-information technology company Fototerra signed a letter of intent to acquire 10 Moya Aero eVTOLs, while Canadian air cargo startup N2 Infrastructure Technologies inked a deal for four units the month before. The increasing demand for cargo drones is evident in the industry, with Elroy Air announcing orders for over 1,000 units of its autonomous hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing cargo drone in October.
