In a bid to introduce the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft to the Kansai region in Japan, aerospace company Airbus is partnering with Japanese helicopter operator Hiratagakuen to develop a simulation of ideal routes, concept of operations, and necessary equipment to carry out future eVTOL flights.
The companies said a demonstration flight using an Airbus H135 helicopter is scheduled for later this year to test advanced navigation and communication technologies that are needed to safely operate future eVTOLs in urban environments, as well as simulate CityAirbus NextGen’s flight configuration.
“We have been operating Airbus helicopters for many years and highly appreciate their high safety, performance, operational reliability and proven after-sales support,” said Mitsuhiro Hirata, vice president of the aviation operation division at Hiratagakuen. “We are aware that a revolution in air transportation is now approaching in the Osaka area, and we expect CityAirbus NextGen to play a central role in this revolution.”
Hiratagakuen specializes in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), personnel transportation, flight training, and maintenance. The company’s current fleet includes 14 H135 helicopters and two H145 helicopters. Airbus and Hiratagakuen are planning to develop use cases for the CityAirbus NextGen — from air medical services to commercial air transport and ecotourism.
“We are honored to further our longstanding collaboration with Hiratagakuen by working on this exciting journey toward zero emission flights,” said Balkiz Sarihan, head of urban air mobility (UAM) strategy execution and partnerships at Airbus. “Their expertise in commercial air transport and air medical services operations makes them an ideal partner for defining the operational framework for advanced air mobility with CityAirbus NextGen in Japan.”
Airbus unveiled its CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft in September 2021, and recently announced the construction of a dedicated center to test the aircraft’s systems leading up to its maiden flight.
The aerospace company is also working with industrial and institutional partners to lead the development of UAM ecosystems, such as the one in Italy with ITA Airways, and in Germany through the Air Mobility Initiative.
