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By Bjorn Fehrm

August 10, 2023, © Leeham News: We look at the promises that the VTOL industry has made in their Investor prospects and what the reality is as they come closer to Certification and production.

After looking at claims of range and utility, we now look at the operating economics. We go through the different cost factors for a VTOL, add them up, and compare them with the industries’ projections.

Figure 1. The Archer Aviation Midnight VTOL mockup at the Paris Air show. Source: Leeham Co.

Summary:

·         The VTOL OEMs state their economics for 10-minute shuttle flights while claiming the VTOL can also fly flights four times longer.

·         Yes, the VTOLs can indeed fly these longer flights, but then the economics fall apart.