QUESTION
What is the realistic timeline for the approval and commercial rollout of electric air taxis and helicopters?
0:46:50
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117 sec
Anton Fredriksson, Director of Aviation at EDC, states that based on conversations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), they are anticipating certification of electric aircraft around 2025, with potential commercial rollout in 2026.
- The New York City Economic Development Corporation is encouraged by successful demonstration flights showing the quiet technology.
- Fredriksson cites international developments that add competitive pressure, like potential European approval for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- China also started certifying electric aircraft late last year, though their standards are unclear.
Erik D. Bottcher
0:46:50
What's help us understand what's your realistic estimate Most optimistic, most pessimistic with respect to the approval of electric air taxis, electric helicopters, What's what can we really expect?
0:47:10
1 year, 2 year, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years?
Anton Fredriksson
0:47:15
Yes.
0:47:15
Thank you for the question.
0:47:16
We share in that.
0:47:17
We wanna see the rollout of this technology and this really quiet technology as soon as possible.
0:47:24
We from a technological standpoint, we've seen that these aircraft can fly in a number of people here in this room were present at our demonstration flight in November at the downtown Manhattanalaport.
0:47:36
And we heard or rather we didn't hear just how effective these aircraft were in addressing quality of life issues.
0:47:42
So we're very encouraged by that.
0:47:44
Now in terms of certification, that's up to the FAA.
0:47:48
The companies that we are engaged with in the industry.
0:47:50
And in our conversations with the FAA, we're anticipating 2025 for that certification.
0:47:57
Now could it be 26 potentially for the commercial roll up roll out.
0:48:01
You know, we recognize that it may not happen exactly in 25.
0:48:04
So we're we're that's what we're aiming for, the 25, 26.
0:48:07
And we're really hoping for then, you know, having conversations everywhere to can we can to make sure we stick to that.
0:48:12
We also have some competitive dynamics and we look internationally.
0:48:16
So I will point out that in in Paris for the Olympics, the European equivalent of the FAA, you know, may be approving as soon as this summer, so we will have our eyes there to see if that gets done.
0:48:27
And I mean, it always adds a bit of competitive dynamics.
0:48:30
The Chinese have have also started with certification actually late last year.
0:48:35
We don't know exactly the standards they've been using, so I don't think that's the right comparison, but it's it's encouraging to see that this is happening not just here in the US but around the world and, you know, put some pressure on our our regulators as well.