May 2, 2023
As air travel continues to grow in importance across the globe, the frustration of crowded airports and packed flights only increases. Moreover, traditional aircraft have long been associated with unsustainable greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a clear need for a more efficient and sustainable solution to streamline air travel. This is where hybrid-electric VTOL and eVTOL aircraft come into play, with each vying to deliver the future of flight.
We're focused on creating the world's most advanced hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Unlike battery-electric powered VTOL aircraft, our hybrid model offers a sustainable and practical option for environmentally friendly air travel. We firmly believe that VTOL aircraft represent the future of flight, and our propulsion system overcomes the limitations of eVTOL aircraft. By combining the benefits of electric and traditional fuel-powered engines, our solution delivers a win-win for passengers, communities, airlines, and the environment.
Like electric cars, eVTOLs run entirely on battery-electric propulsion and produce zero CO2 emissions in operation. However, much of their battery power is used up by the energy it takes to ascend vertically. Because of battery density limitations, they can’t pack more power into the battery without adding adequate safeguards, which increase the battery’s size and weight.
As a result, eVTOL ranges are limited to short distances that are generally better served with an electric car. Passenger capacity in battery-electric VTOL is also lacking, generally with fewer seats than a car or SUV.
The Odys Aviation hybrid-electric VTOL uses hybrid-electric propulsion powered by sustainable aviation fuel, thereby achieving range, capacity, speed, and altitude performance comparable with traditional jets of a similar size, all with 76% less carbon emissions.
Most eVTOL aircraft can fly up to 25 to 60 miles, which is far less than the range of most electric cars. If eVTOL can’t outpace electric ground transportation, they will prove an insufficient option for passengers and airlines alike.
Our hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft has a range of up to 750 miles. We’re capable of flying passengers on short hops, subregional routes, regional routes, and international routes. This exceptional range optionality.
In comparison, an eVTOL aircraft would only be functional to take passengers on short-hop flights. While this could be enough for urban travel, it limits passengers’ and airlines’ ability to rely on eVTOLs for longer flights, whereas hybrid VTOL gives passengers and airlines more flexibility.
eVTOLs are limited in their passenger capacity. The largest models can carry a few passengers at a time, whereas smaller models like air taxis carry even less. To support enough people, this would mean having hundreds or thousands of eVTOLs in one urban area, making the skies as crowded as the roads are today.
Our hybrid-electric VTOL can carry nine passengers and two pilots. This passenger capacity is similar to a regional jet of the same size, matching traditional aircraft capabilities while reducing carbon emissions by 76%.
Similar to its limited range, an eVTOL’s flight speed and cruising altitude are limited by its battery. Much of its battery’s power is used up in the vertical ascent, so it’s less practical for an eVTOL to achieve a speed and altitude comparable to a traditional aircraft. The eVTOL would only be able to maintain that speed and altitude for a limited range before descent.
The Odys Aviation hybrid VTOL has a maximum flight speed of 345 miles per hour and a cruising altitude of 30,000 feet. Both these factors are comparable to a business jet of similar size and capacity. We maintain competitive speed and altitude so our passengers get to their destination quickly and safely — all while still leaving a smaller carbon footprint.
To replace fuel-burning commuter planes, VTOL aircraft need sustainable range, passenger capacity, flight speed, and cruising altitude. eVTOLs don’t have the capacity for longer flights or the passenger accommodations to make urban travel practical.
In comparison, our aircraft features match those of commuter planes. Both passengers and operators will feel comfortable and safe with our design, which functions using mechanisms operators are already comfortable using.
eVTOLs have an advantage on environmental benefits over some VTOL aircraft— at least at first. Because eVTOLs don’t emit CO2 for their entire flight, they’re much more environmentally friendly than traditional aircraft. But their battery limitations result in drastically limited flight range, often just 60 miles or less, preventing them from being a viable option for most air travel.
Our efficient hybrid VTOL combines sustainable aviation fuel and battery electric power to provide 750 total miles of range. For flights under 200 miles, we can operate entirely on battery electric power, eliminating CO2 emissions entirely. For longer flights, our hybrid electric engine operates using environmentally friendly SAF fuel to reduce CO2 emissions. Even when we’re traveling over 200 miles, our aircraft reduces CO2 emissions by 76% compared to a regional jet of the same size.
For all these reasons and more, we believe hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft should be the focus of future air travel. It’s environmentally friendly and maintains a practical, accessible appeal to both passengers and airlines. By taking advantage of its hybrid characteristics, we’re able to create an aircraft that considers the environment while keeping practicality as a top priority.
We’ve created a next-gen design for our aircraft that’s reminiscent of traditional planes while capturing a sleek, streamlined look for the future. Our goal has always been to improve access to better travel for everyone. Our aircraft is the ideal avenue to provide it to the world.
Follow Odys Aviation as we continue test flights, earn type-certification, and change the way that the world travels.
Follow the Odys Aviation team as we continue test flights, earn type-certification, and change the way that the world travels. Stay in the loop as we take to the skies.
