Swiss eVTOL completes first hover flight and thus a major milestone

A Swiss eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) has reached a major milestone with its first hover flight.

The Aero2 X2.3 is the latest creation from aerospace company Dufour Aerospace, which recently retired the Aero2 prototype.

By completing the hover flight, the X2.3 has come one step closer to its commercial approval.

Since the end goal is fully autonomous operation, this is a step in the right direction.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

The Aero2 X2.3 eVTOL has taken off

The Aero2 X2.3 completed its first successful hover flight this month, so the next step is to achieve forward motion.

As the latest prototype, the X2.3 brings some new design elements, including an H-tail.

The wheels are extended and a skid-type undercarriage is installed, which resembles the underside of a helicopter.

According to Aviation WeekIt is hoped that the X2.3 will deliver medical supplies and organ transplants.

It is also intended to carry out monitoring tasks.

Measuring 20 feet long and weighing 450 pounds, the eVTOL can fly up to 250 miles at a speed of 93 mph.

Dufour’s track record so far

Last year, Dufour sent an Aero2 X2.2 from Zurich to Oregon, USA.

Spright, Dufour’s US customer, was also here and subsequently took the aircraft out for demonstration flights.

If the X2.3 passes the final tests, it will go into operation in the US starting next year, Autoevolution reported.

eVTOLs are currently very popular and companies are constantly competing to develop more efficient technologies.

This Chinese company developed an air taxi earlier this year that can carry up to five people.

There are also VTOLs (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) scheduled for use at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.