Jaunt Air Mobility has partnered with Flapper, an on-demand private aviation company, to introduce the Jaunt Journey eVTOL aircraft in Latin America. The agreement includes a conditional pre-order of up to 25 of Jaunt’s aircraft that would be added to Flapper’s fleet of more than 900, which includes jets, turboprops, and helicopters for charter flights.
In a recent press release, Paul Malicki, CEO of Flapper, stated that the company was attracted to Jaunt’s fixed-wing and slowed rotor design, believing the eVTOL would help bring urban air mobility (UAM) to several markets across Latin America, including Mexico City, Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
“Jaunt Journey’s technology boasts performance similar to fixed-wing design, which is perfect, considering the region’s [Latin America’s] short runways, rocky shores, and high-altitude airports,” Malicki said.
This isn’t the first time Flapper has shown an interest in the advanced air mobility sector. The platform also has partnerships with Eve Urban Air Mobility and eSTOL developer Electra.aero.
Jaunt is working with CAE and Crane Aerospace & Electronics, as well as BAE Systems, to further develop its Jaunt Journey eVTOL aircraft, which combines helicopter and fixed-wing flight capabilities. The aircraft is targeting a range of up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) and a top speed of 175 mph (280 km/h), while carrying a pilot and four passengers.
“The Jaunt Journey has significant design features that allow it to fly in a variety of weather conditions,” said Martin Peryea, CEO and chief technology officer at Jaunt Air Mobility. “A single main rotor is the most efficient form of take-off and landing and has proven capabilities in gusty wind conditions, such as coastlines.”
In addition to the partnership with Flapper, Jaunt recently announced an alliance with Avports, an American-owned airport manager and operator, to incorporate its eVTOL air taxis into Avports’ operations. Jorge Roberts, CEO of Avports, stated in a press release that the collaboration helps the company in its efforts to transition to a carbon-neutral operating environment and introduce a new form of commuting.
Along with developing eVTOLs, the Dallas-based aerospace company is also developing a hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in collaboration with VerdeGo Aero that will target higher speeds and ranges for transporting people and cargo.
In October, Jaunt announced its plans to merge with AIRO Group, where the eVTOL company will join six other businesses in AIRO’s portfolio, including drone companies AIRO Drone and Sky-Watch, aviation and special missions training providers Agile Defense and Coastal Defense, avionics manufacturer Aspen Avionics, and fellow eVTOL developer VRCO.
