28 January 2019
Pipistrel and Honeywell have joined forces to explore and develop technology for the emerging urban air mobility market.
The companies will work together to integrate Honeywell avionics, navigation, flight control systems connectivity, and other beneficial products and services into a future Pipistrel vertical takeoff and landing air vehicle to support fully autonomous operations.
“This is the beginning of a long-term relationship to collectively pursue the future of urban air mobility,” said Ivo Boscarol, founder and president of Pipistrel.
“Honeywell’s expertise in integrated avionics and flight control systems, systems integration, certification and manufacturing, combined with our capabilities in designing and developing advanced light aircraft, makes us the perfect pairing to advance the urban air mobility market.
“Pipistrel was chosen to be one of Uber’s vehicle development partners for their urban mobility solution, and our VTOL features next generation propulsion technology for achieving embedded lift.
“We have the concept which unlocks cost-attractive eVTOL opportunity by addressing efficiency and noise hurdles in vehicle lift, hover, and cruise stages of flight.”
Left, Carl Esposito, president of Honeywell Electronic Solutions, and Pipistrel’s Ivo Boscarol, sign the memo of understanding bringing the two companies together
Honeywell produces propulsion, avionics and systems for a huge range of aircraft, from GA aircraft to commercial airliners to military platforms.
“The urban air mobility market is a challenging space, but one that Honeywell is well positioned to support and grow,” said Carl Esposito, president, Electronic Solutions.
“Companies looking to make breakthroughs in urban air mobility face a wide range of technical, safety, certification and business challenges that come with developing a new mode of travel in an already very dense air traffic environment.
“An understanding of the aerospace complexities and legacy of innovative technologies can make all the difference in addressing this emerging market.
“Pipistrel is a well-known leader in the light aircraft space, and this is an excellent opportunity to support its vision of a future vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with our industry-leading avionics, flight control systems, and other potential products and services.”
The Pipistrel Vertical Solutions team has released illustrations of a possible electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft (top pic).
