Dufour Aero3 Tilt Wing

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 expects to build its first full-scale Aero3 prototype and begin flight testing this year, working toward certification with EASA by the end of 2025.

Savback Helicopters exclusively represents the Dufour Aero3 tilt-wing aircraft in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland.

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.

EMS

The Aero3 has been designed to replace helicopters used to transport patients between hospitals by being more efficient and operating at a significantly lower cost. Fast access to remote locations will help transport patients to a suitable hospital as quickly as possible, ideal in cases of serious trauma injuries where action within the golden hour is key to patient outcome.

Advanced air mobility

Electric propulsion will make air mobility a reality, combining the ability to take-off and land vertically with long-range and high-speed – ensuring this new aircraft is attractive for customers and operators alike. Moreover, with CTOL and STOL capability, Aero3 integrates seamlessly into today’s airspace structure, airport infrastructure and flight procedures.

Cargo logistics

The Aero3’s spacious cabin offers the possibility to deliver the goods virtually ’at your doorstep’. The hybrid system avoids long turnover times as no batteries need to be recharged or swapped-out making this aircraft an efficient link in modern supply chains.

EMS

The Aero3 has been designed to replace helicopters used to transport patients between hospitals by being more efficient and operating at a significantly lower cost. Fast access to remote locations will help transport patients to a suitable hospital as quickly as possible, ideal in cases of serious trauma injuries where action within the golden hour is key to patient outcome.

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