In the recent spectacle presented by Joby Aviation and Volocopter, the contours of the prospective aviation landscape unfurled before the public gaze. Both entities orchestrated succinct exhibition flights of their electric aerial vessels in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
This aeronautical display transpired within the confines of a press assembly on a Sunday, a platform seized by New York City Mayor Eric Adams to declare the city's commitment to electrify two out of its three heliports. These include the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and East 34th Street, leaving the third heliport in private hands. Concurrently, Beta Technologies, a fellow pioneer in electric aircraft development, showcased its interoperable aircraft charging technology during this momentous event.
This strategic move heralds a significant triumph for the proponents of "electric vertical take-off and landing" (eVTOL) technology. These developers are poised to navigate the challenging path of securing substantial public investments, a prerequisite for launching their commercial air taxi services by the mid-point of the forthcoming decade. Early signs of this financial backing are surfacing; Joby, in September, disclosed its decision to establish a cutting-edge aircraft manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio. This choice was further incentivized by a substantial package exceeding $325 million in state incentives and benefits.
The eVTOL sector finds itself propelled forward by compelling forces, primarily the unwavering climate commitments of numerous cities, including the metropolis of New York. These commitments are directed at vehemently curbing carbon emissions and transitioning towards a sustainable energy paradigm. New York City, aligned with this green trajectory, aims to slash emissions by an ambitious 80% from the 2005 benchmark by the year 2050. The electrification of the city's two heliports stands as a pivotal component of this multifaceted strategy.
Joby Aviation had already earmarked New York City for its expansion endeavors. In an announcement made in October of the preceding year, the company outlined its ambitious plan to inaugurate its commercial service in New York and Los Angeles as part of a groundbreaking "city-to-airport" service pact with its investor, Delta Airlines. Joby's projections envisage compressing the transit time from Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport to a mere seven minutes, an ambitious feat poised to redefine urban connectivity.