Combining the best of helicopter and aeroplane
Aero3 is designed to respond to the requirements of both today’s helicopter operations and tomorrow’s advanced air mobility markets. As a tilt-wing aircraft, it is extremely versatile, efficient and safe, combining the best features of both helicopters and aeroplanes. Aero3 is capable of taking off and landing like a helicopter while being as energy efficient and fast as an aeroplane in cruise flight.
While it is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) markets, it will also be capable to serve as an air taxi or VIP transport vehicle as well as a versatile platform for public safety applications. Aero3 will be the perfect aircraft for transporting patients between hospitals and for on-site emergency interventions, enabling emergency medical services with even better patient outcomes.
The 8-seater tilt-wing will also be able to serve urban and regional air mobility markets in passenger transportation as well as logistic applications and private transport needs – all of this at much lower operating costs than today’s solutions and especially on applications that do not require additional infrastructure.
With propulsion by six main propellers distributed across the wing and two smaller propellers on the tail, this piloted hybrid-electric aircraft is expected to achieve a cruise speed of 350 kmph (215 mph), a range of 1,020 km (630 mi) and useful load of 750 kgs (1,650lbs). The Aero3 is being designed to meet the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) SC-VTOL (Special Condition for VTOL) standards, making use of a hybrid electric propulsion system to meet the requirements of operators in multi platforms. Dufour is working towards building its first full-scale Aero3 prototype and aiming to be in the process of certification with EASA in the coming years.
Savback Helicopters exclusively represents the Dufour Aero3 tilt-wing aircraft.
About Dufour Aerospace
Dufour Aerospace was founded in 2017 by Thomas Pfammatter, Dominique Steffen and Jasmine Kent. The team includes former engineers from Airbus, Solar Impulse, Boeing and Google. Leveraging over 30 years of experience in Swiss commercial helicopter operations Dufour Aerospace understands the real world requirements of VTOL aircraft.
The tilt-wing design of Dufour’s aircraft family combines the ability to take-off and land vertically like a helicopter with the efficiency and speed of a conventional aircraft. The tilt-wing feature also gives the ability to cruise more efficiently - a key requirement of effective electric flight.
The highly experienced Dufour engineering team is building aircraft for rugged operations in harsh environments. The company’s patented combination of proven aerodynamic concepts integrated with the latest technology gives Dufour aircraft absolutely sound designs with unparalleled performance.
The combination of VTOL operation experience, aircraft design and software development expertise positions the company at the forefront of Advanced Air Mobility making manned and unmanned electric and hybrid electric VTOLs a reality.
Partnering with Dufour Aerospace demonstrates Savback Helicopters’ confidence in the future of eVTOL as well as making the advantageous commitment to supporting an early mover in the urban air mobility sector, an industry estimated to be worth $1.5 trillion by 2040 according to Morgan Stanley.
Features
Specification
- Maximum take-off weight
2,800 kg (6,173 lbs) - Useful load
750 kg (1,653 lbs) - Range
1,020 km (551 NM) / 3 hours (electric with hybrid system) - Design cruise speed
350 km/h (189 kts)
- Persons on board (POB)
Up to 8 - Wing-span / Rotor-span
13.6 m (44.6 ft) / 14.8 m (48.6 ft) - Length / Height
12 m (39.4 ft) / 4 m (13.1 ft) - Propulsion
Distributed electric propulsion with 6 main motors/propellers and 2 tail motors/ propellers
Missions
- EMS: De-Icing System - Fewer limitations due to adverse weather conditions, improved dispatch reliability. Robust Landing Gear - Enabling take-offs and landings in unprepared terrain, retractable for efficient and silent cruise flight. Large Cabin – To hold patient, medical crew and medical equipment. Large Doors – For easy loading and unloading of patient and crew. IFR Capability – Flights in Instrument Meteorological Conditions for improved robustness of operations and an added safety layer.
- Advanced Air Mobility: Tilt Wing Design - Enormous Versatility combining VTOL capability and fast, efficient cruise flight with a range of up to 1020 km. CTOL and STOL capability for seamless integration in today’s airspace and flight procedures. Large Cabin - Hold up to 6 passengers or 4 passengers in comfort configuration. Safety - Cockpit for 1 or 2 pilot operation, high propellers for passenger and crew safety. Efficient - Offers the versatility of helicopter and airplane operations at reduced costs and little maintenance.
- Cargo & Logistics: Large Cabin – Largest space in its class for significant amounts of cargo. Wide Cabin Doors – For Easy loading and unloading of cargo. Robust Landing Gear – For safe take-offs and landings on unprepared terrain.
