Blade Air Mobility and eVTOL aircraft developer Supernal are exploring how they will launch commercial advanced air mobility (AAM) services. Through a partnership announced in Las Vegas on Tuesday, the companies said they will study various early use cases, gathering data that will shape how <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-23/supernal-debuts-s-a2-evtol-and-prepares-fly-demonstrator">the Hyundai subsidiary</a> completes development of the four-passenger aircraft it aims to bring to market in 2028.
In a related announcement on the first day of the NBAA-BACE show, business aviation group Clay Lacy Aviation said it is working with Supernal to prepare its FBOs to receive eVTOL aircraft. Initially, the companies will focus their efforts on Clay Lacy’s bases at John Wayne Orange County and Van Nuys airports in Southern California before rolling out services across the wider U.S. network.
Clay Lacy, which also operates aircraft and provides services including maintenance, has previously signed agreements to develop vertiport operations at its FBOs with two other eVTOL aircraft developers, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-01-25/clay-lacy-expands-evtol-ops-plan-new-partnership">Overair and Joby</a>.
According to Scott Cutshall, Clay Lacy’s president of real estate and sustainability, these collaborations are part of the group’s commitment to sustainable aviation. The company is the first in the world to be accredited under NBAA’s Sustainable Flight Development program.
Private flight provider <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-03-12/blade-predicts-turnaround-after-2023-losses">Blade</a> has been looking to expand beyond its business jet and helicopter business model for some time. It already has partnership agreements with other eVTOL aircraft manufacturers including <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2023-11-15/eve-air-mobility-eyes-bangalore-launchpad-india-operations">Eve Air Mobility</a> and <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-02-14/beta-and-blade-air-mobility-demonstrate-alia-250-evtol-aircraft-new-york">Beta Technologies</a>.
<h2>Developing eVTOL Air Taxi Networks</h2>
Under the new three-year agreement, Supernal will provide Blade with technological and operational insights to guide the development of AAM services. Blade will provide input on the design of the Supernal aircraft, including factors such as passenger comfort and the flexibility needed to serve different markets. The companies will conduct scenario planning for hypothetical routes in markets such as New York City and Southern California.
Visitors to the NBAA-BACE show can learn more about Supernal’s S-A2 product concept vehicle through a virtual reality presentation on the static display at Henderson Executive Airport. The aircraft will cruise at 104 knots to&nbsp;a range of 52 nm.
Blade is operating flights between that location and the Las Vegas Convention Center during the show.
“As Supernal prepares to finalize our eVTOL features, it is critical we collaborate with experienced commercial partners like Blade to ensure our eVTOL’s cabin features align with passenger expectations for comfort, safety, and efficiency in the next generation of intercity mobility,” said David Rottblatt, Supernal’s senior director of strategy and commercialization. “Supernal and Blade’s collaboration underscores how the AAM industry has evolved. The dialogue is no longer about the feasibility of eVTOL technology, but rather how it can be optimized to suit existing commercial platforms and operators.”

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