Sustainable aerospace company AMSL Aero will test its electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles at the new Narromine Aerodrome Industrial Park, with support from a $950,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Investment Attraction Fund.
The Vertiia, which is designed and built in Australia by AMSL Aero, is envisioned to be a safe aircraft that will take off and land like a helicopter from any vertiport or helipad. It is also 100% electric battery powered, with zero carbon emissions, and can travel at up to 300km per hour.
In a statement Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the flying car will have the potential to revolutionise transport across regional NSW.
“The potential benefits this technology can deliver will overcome the tyranny of distance that we face in regional NSW, meaning people can easily travel to jobs, visit friends and family in remote locations and deliver tourists to hard to reach outback havens,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Imagine the convenience of having a flying car land in your suburb when you need to travel to a regional destination that is not serviced by an airport.”
“It sounds like science fiction but the reality is a future where this is possible, practical and affordable is not that far away and I am proud that our investment attraction grant will help the development of this new technology and support jobs in regional NSW.”
AMSL Aero co-founder and CEO Andrew Moore said he is delighted to partner with the NSW Government to help scale up operations in the state’s Central West.
“We are excited by the opportunity to use this grant to help us prepare for our upcoming launch and build essential testing facilities,” Mr Moore said.
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the resiliency of the people and the dynamic workforce in Dubbo makes it the perfect location for a company like AMSL Aero to expand and grow.
“It’s fantastic to see businesses expanding and bringing job opportunities to the electorate of Dubbo, especially given the drought and COVID-19 has forced many locals out of work recently,” Mr Saunders said.
AMSL will be the first operation moving into the new Narromine Aerodrome precinct, which is due to be completed by the end of July 2020 and was made possible by a $750,000 NSW Government Growing Local Economies grant.
AMSL Aero with Narromine Shire Council will begin construction of its facility later this year, with testing expected to commence in early 2021.
The NSW Government’s $20 million Regional Investment Attraction Fund provides grants to eligible businesses that want to invest and grow in regional NSW, creating new jobs and economic opportunities.
