urban-air port unveils air-one, the world’s first eVTOL hub
THE FIRST FUNCTIONAL MULTI-MODAL INFRASTRUCTURE HUB EQUIPPED TO HANDLE FUTURE ELECTRIC AIR TRAVEL
In 2021, the UK’s Government’s Future Flight Challenge announced Urban-Air Port as the winner to develop an aviation infrastructure and system that would enable the next generation of electric and autonomous air vehicles. A year later, Supernal and Urban-Air Port have debuted the Air-One® – Urban-Air Port’s proprietary deployable operations hub for manned and unmanned vehicles – marking the first functional multi-modal infrastructure hub equipped to handle future electric air travel.
Located in Coventry, UK, the vertiport is now open for public visitation and will be redeployed in additional cities worldwide later this year to continue highlighting future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) passenger journeys and operations first-hand.
17,000 SQUARE-FEET BUILT IN JUST 11 WEEKS
Built in just 11 weeks, the 17,000 square-foot radial Air-One has been divided into different outfitted zones. The zones include a passenger lounge, café, retail pop-up, cargo logistics hub, electric and hydrogen air vehicle hangar, security screening, command and control center.
As seen on the pictures and video, these zones are anchored by a patented 56-foot circular final approach and takeoff (FATO) platform that raises 19 feet in the sky – using a compact, state-of-the-art, synchronized link-lift system – to enable future electric air vehicle takeoffs and landings.
‘The Air-One activation is an important step for the Advanced Air Mobility industry and demonstrates how eVTOLs can easily integrate with existing transportation networks to address local needs,’ said Mike Whitaker, chief commercial officer, Supernal. ‘The reality is no single mode of transportation – current or future – can solve cities’ traffic and congestion challenges. Supernal is working with partners like Urban-Air Port to design infrastructure that brings multiple modes of transportation together under one ‘roof’ and enable AAM to reach its full potential.’
Visitors to the Air-One Port will be able to see Supernal’s initial concept eVTOL vehicle — the S-A1. Located .2 miles from main Coventry rail and bus stations, the activation demonstrates how the compact, prefabricated Air-One can enable seamless multi-modal travel, including AAM.
‘The opening of Air-One is a momentous occasion – the starting gun for a new age of transport, an age of zero-emission, low-congestion travel between and within cities that will make people healthier, happier and more connected than ever before,’ said Ricky Sandhu, founder and executive chairman, Urban-Air Port. ‘The Coventry demonstration – delivered in partnership with Supernal – will showcase the future of how people will travel, seamlessly integrating with other modes of transport to create a greener, more connected future. I am extremely proud to have like-minded, industry leaders like Supernal as partners on our journey to building this industry from the ground up – paving the way for us all.’
Interested in attending the public opening of Air-One? Book your visit here.
project info:
name: Urban Air Port® Air-One®
location: Coventry, UK
juliana neira I designboom
apr 27, 2022
