Hybrid eVTOLs will transform air ambulances in Ireland

Analysis shows medical emergency transfer times across 230 km can be cut by nearly three hours compared with ambulances and by nearly 30 minutes compared with helicopters.

Switching to hybrid electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft will transform air ambulances in Ireland dramatically reducing transfer times for patients and cutting costs for operators, analysis from Horizon Aircraft shows.

Hybrid eVTOLs, which have a flight range of up to 800 km with fuel reserves, can cover all of Ireland using existing helipads and analysis shows they are up to two-times faster and are 50% more cost efficient with almost twice the range of twin engine helicopters.

Horizon Aircraft, the leading hybrid eVTOL aircraft developer, says speed is essential with medical evacuations and transfers and the ability to reach hospitals faster will save lives. Data shows a 230 km transfer from Letterkenny University Hospital to Dublin Hospital would take 35 minutes in the Cavorite X7, compared with nearly an hour in a helicopter and as long as three-and-a-half hours by road in an ambulance.

The cost per mile for the Cavorite X7 would be 74% cheaper when compared with a twin helicopter for the 230 km journey, Horizon Aircraft says. Other operating savings for the Cavorite X7 include hangar costs which are around 40% of a helicopter as its wingspan can be reduced by folding the wings.

The company believes hybrid eVOTLs can also play a major role in tourism in Ireland - for instance 300 km transfers from Dublin Airport to Belmullet on the Wild Atlantic Way would take around 40 minutes with the Cavorite X7 compared with one hour and 10 minutes in a helicopter and four hours or more in a hire car.

Phil Kelly, Senior Vice President Business Development said: “Hybrid eVTOLs are up to two times faster, 50% more cost efficient with almost twice the range and a quarter of the carbon emissions of helicopters which is a compelling argument for their use as air ambulances.”

“They cover all of Ireland and will transform medical evacuation times and ultimately save lives. However, it is crucial that hybrid eVTOLs are suited to working as air ambulances. The Cavorite X7 has a range of up to 800 km when carrying medical personnel, equipment and patients.”

Investors believe air ambulances will be one of the biggest growth areas for hybrid eVTOLs with speed over the next five years - personal transportation, fire service and air ambulances were rated as the top three growth areas in Horizon Aircraft’s global study with small- and micro-cap fund managers in the US, Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia who collectively manage $82.4 billion assets under management.

Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7 aircraft will have a gross weight of an estimated 5,500 lbs with a projected useful load of 1,500 lbs. With an estimated maximum speed of 450 km per hour and an average range of over 800 km with fuel reserves, Horizon believes that this experimental aircraft, if eventually licensed for commercial use, would be well-positioned to excel in medical evacuation The Company believes that the proposed aircraft would also be attractive for passenger transport and tourism moving people and luggage 50 to 800 km.

Unlike many in its category, the Cavorite X7 is being designed with a hybrid electric power system. The Company is designing the Cavorite X7 such that it could, after its vertical takeoff, re-charge its batteries enroute when it is flying in a configuration like a traditional aircraft. After a vertical landing and completion of a mission, the Company is designing the Cavorite X7 to recharge its own battery array with no ground charging infrastructure required to be ready for its next mission.

Horizon believes that its innovative approach and technology will allow the Cavorite X7 to fly 98% of its mission in a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft. The Company believes that flying most of the time as a normal aircraft is also safer and will make the aircraft easier to certify than other radical new eVTOL designs. The Cavorite X7 will be powered by a hybrid electric system that will recharge the battery array in-flight and post-flight, while also providing significant system redundancy. The Company is continuing the testing of its 50%-scale aircraft that it believes will reduce technical risk moving forward as it continues to develop its full-scale aircraft.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 16th January 2025 | Issue #779