Canadian officials and industry players are working on an innovative air mobility project that will turn sustainable aviation into reality.
One of the core principles of AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) is sustainability. eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) support a better future for the planet by ditching fuel and relying on battery-electric or hydrogen-electric propulsion. At the same time, they can help communities in remote or hard-to-access locations by improving their access to essential services.
Aviation operators all over the world are planning to add electric air taxis to their regional fleets to connect areas that were previously hard to link and to support communities living in challenging locations (like remote islands).
In Canada, AAM players want to develop something similar on a wider scale. It will initially take the form of a new corridor between the City of Joliette and the Atikamekw First Nation of Manawan. Thanks to this corridor, members of the Manawan indigenous community will be able to access essential health and emergency services easier and faster.
The eVTOL set to operate on this game-changing corridor is Jaunt Journey. Jaunt Air Mobility first presented its flagship eVTOL in 2020. CEO Kaydon Stanzione promised that future passengers would never “spill their martini” while onboard the Jaunt Journey, referring to the aircraft’s flawlessly smooth flight.
The Slowed-Rotor Compound (SRC) technology effectively reduces rotor speed once the aircraft reaches cruise mode, which results in reduced drag and lowered noise and vibration levels. The nearly-silent Jaunt Journey fits perfectly in urban areas thanks to this benefit, making it a better option than standard helicopters.
Performance-wise, it combines a medium range of 100 miles (160 km) with a top speed of 175 mph (280 kph). As for the manufacturer, it’s based in Dallas, Texas, but designs and manufactures its aircraft in Montreal, Canada.
Jaunt had a strong partner in Vertiko Mobility, an infrastructure expert with a fresh perspective. Vertiko’s main goal is to connect all the regions of Quebec with urban centers. With Quebec being the world leader in renewable energy production, this will also add another layer of sustainability to upcoming eVTOL operations in the area.
The City of Joliette corridor is part of a wider, more complex project. Vertiko officially announced the project during this year’s Volaria aeronautical event. It also relies on support from other big players such as the Drone Niche of Excellence and CRIAQ (the Consortium de Recherche et d’Innovation en Aérospatiale du Québec).
The project is still in its development phase, with a focus on three main areas – infrastructure, air vehicles, and a dedicated air traffic control and management system. The corridor for the Manawan community is set to become the first initiative within this project.