Electric air taxis being simulated in Chicago could make commuting downtown a 15-minute affair
Sept. 15, 2022
CHICAGO - Electric air taxis could one day whisk commuters from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport or to the suburbs, high above expressway traffic, in a fraction of the time it takes to drive, Sarah Freishatat reports for the Chicago Tribune. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
15 September 2022 - That’s the vision of electric aircraft developer Eve, which is leading a group of aviation companies and local governments conducting simulations in Chicago this week. Though the aircraft are likely years away from receiving federal authorization to fly, it’s a vision shared by other major companies like Chicago-based United Airlines, which recently struck a conditional agreement to purchase at least 200 of Eve’s flying taxis in United’s latest investment in the industry.
For now, Chicago commuters can book a $150 trip on one of the simulation flights that are running for the next several weeks between Vertiport Chicago, in the Illinois Medical District, and heliports in Tinley Park and Schaumburg. The simulations use regular helicopters, but Eve, which is backed by Brazilian plane manufacturer Embraer, envisions bringing electric air taxis to markets like Chicago as early as 2026.
Related: EASA publishes the first regulations on urban air mobility in the world
Related: EASA publishes the first regulations on urban air mobility in the world
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Jamie Whitney, Associate Editor
Intelligent Aerospace
