RCS - IP Group PLC - AMSL Aero's all-electric aircraft maiden flight

IPAnnouncement

21/02/2023 07:00

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RNS Number : 4991Q  IP Group PLC  21 February 2023

 FOR RELEASE ON  21 February 2023

 

IP Group plc - Australian portfolio company AMSL Aero's all-electric aircraft
takes maiden flight

 

IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) ("IP Group" or "the Group"), which develops
world-changing science and technology businesses, is pleased to note that
Australian portfolio company AMSL Aero has announced that Vertiia has
successfully completed its maiden test flight. This is the first ever flight
by an Australian-designed and built eVTOL, which is the new generation of
aircraft that take off and land like a helicopter but fly like a plane.

 

Vertiia completed its tethered hover by remote control in the Central West
region of New South Wales in strict accordance with Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) regulations.

 

The flight marks a vital milestone for Vertiia, which has zero carbon
emissions and will carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of
300kph. Vertiia will be able to fly up to 1,000km, three times the range of
any eVTOL. AMSL Aero expects to commence deliveries of the Vertiia in 2026 to
customers in the aeromedical, cargo, emergency, and regional air mobility
sectors.

 

IP Group Australia has an undiluted holding of 35.2% in AMSL Aero.

 

The full release follows below.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

 IP Group plc                                             www.ipgroupplc.com (http://www.ipgroupplc.com)
 Liz Vaughan-Adams, Communications                        +44 (0) 20 7444 0062/+44 (0) 7967 312125
 Portland
 Vic Wallin                                               +44 (0) 7973 823 119
 Alex Donaldson                                           +44 (0) 7516 729 702

 

Notes for editors

 

About IP Group

 

IP Group develops world-changing science and technology businesses across
life sciences, technology and cleantech (through Kiko Ventures). The Group has
a strong track record of success, having been the founder investor in a number
of high-profile companies including Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc, and has
one of the most exciting portfolios of high-growth businesses in Europe. The
Group also owns Parkwalk, the UK's largest growth EIS fund manager which backs
world-changing technologies emerging from the UK's leading universities and
research institutions. IP Group is listed on the Main Market of the London
Stock Exchange under the code IPO.

 

For more information, please visit our website at www.ipgroupplc.com
(http://www.ipgroupplc.com/) .

 

ENDS

 

"VERTIIA" ALL-ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT TAKES MAIDEN FLIGHT IN HISTORIC FIRST FOR
AUSTRALIAN AVIATION

 

Sydney, Australia - 21 February 2023 - Australian green aerospace company AMSL
Aero (https://www.vertiia.com/) today announced that Vertiia, the world's most
efficient and longest-range Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL)
aircraft, has successfully completed its maiden test flight. This is the first
ever flight by an Australian-designed and built eVTOL, which is the new
generation of aircraft that take off and land like a helicopter but fly like a
plane.

 

Vertiia completed its tethered hover by remote control in the Central West
region of New South Wales in strict accordance with Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA) regulations.

 

The flight marks a vital milestone for Vertiia, which has zero carbon
emissions and can carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of
300kph. Vertiia will be able to fly up to 1,000km, three times the range of
any eVTOL, which makes it the most efficient eVTOL in the world. AMSL Aero
expects to commence deliveries of the Vertiia in 2026 to customers in the
aeromedical, cargo, emergency, and regional air mobility sectors.

 

AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor Andrew Moore noted that it is nearly 130
years since Australian aeronautical pioneer Lawrence Hargrave invented the box
kite, upon which the Vertiia's unique "box wing" design is based. "As Vertiia
lifted off, we felt the same rush of adrenaline that Lawrence Hargrave must
have felt nearly 130 years ago. The Vertiia prototype flew better than we
expected. It was remarkably smooth and a delight to fly," said Moore.

 

AMSL Aero will now conduct more test flights and begin CASA certification for
Vertiia, which is on display at the Avalon International Airshow in Victoria
from 28 February to 5 March 2023, as it continues discussions with future
customers and builds a sovereign aviation capability for Australia.

 

According to AMSL Co-Founder Siobhan Lyndon, Vertiia will enable greater
access to medical services for vulnerable remote, rural and regional
communities, offering new models of care through rapid and low-cost
connectivity. "Vertiia is not only safe and quiet, but it was also developed
for the harsh long-distance conditions in Australia.  If it can work in
Australia, it can work anywhere," she said.

 

Lyndon added: "Unlike aeromedical aeroplanes that require a runway, Vertiia
will carry patients directly from any location straight to the hospital,
significantly reducing the complexity and time often required to transport
vulnerable patients. It will also be quieter and safer than helicopters and
will eventually cost as little as a car to maintain and run, transforming
aeromedical transport into a far more affordable, accessible, safer and
reliable option."

 

Moore and Lyndon said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank our
talented and committed team, our investors: IP Group Australia, TelstraSuper,
Hostplus and St Baker Energy Innovation Fund, and our many key suppliers and
contractors throughout Australia who have helped contribute to the development
and flight of Vertiia".

 

-Ends-

 

Media Contact

Dominic White

Dominic.white@allisonpr.com (mailto:Dominic.white@allisonpr.com)

0439 269 615

 

A Media Kit with Images of the Vertiia hovering and of Andrew Moore and
Siobhan Lyndon with the aircraft can be found here
(https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c2w5hXqlu0gXJ8pb5yxuBJLX8d2OZzoC?usp=share_link)
. Please request access if necessary.

 

About AMSL Aero

AMSL Aero (http://www.vertiia.com/) is a sustainable development aerospace
company founded in 2017 by Andrew Moore
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-moore-14b10a44/) (Co-Founder and CEO), an
aeronautical engineer with 20+ years' experience in the aircraft industry, and
Siobhan Lyndon (https://www.linkedin.com/in/siobhanlyndon/) (Co-Founder and
COO), who has 20+ years' experience in the technology, telecommunications, and
professional services sectors, including 11 years at Google. AMSL Aero is a
home-grown Australian aerospace company, with headquarters in Bankstown, New
South Wales and flight test facilities in Wellington, New South Wales. The
name "AMSL Aero" is derived from the initials of the founders, husband and
wife team, Andrew Moore ('AM') and Siobhan Lyndon ('SL'). AMSL also refers in
aviation speak to 'Above Mean Sea Level'.  The team at AMSL Aero comprises
experienced aerospace, electrical, avionics, and mechanical engineers, all of
whom have contributed to this amazing new aircraft. AMSL Aero is privately
backed by investors including IP Group Australia, Telstra Super, Host Plus and
St Baker Energy Innovation Fund.

 

AMSL Aero "Vertiia" Fact Sheet

·      Vertiia is "the world's longest range and most efficient eVTOL
(Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing)" aircraft due to the unique
combination of its aerodynamic efficiency and structural design. It uses less
energy per seat than a high-speed train

·      Vertiia takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, but
flies fast and efficiently like a plane. It is safer, quieter and more
efficient than a helicopter

·      Vertiia produces zero carbon emissions

·      Vertiia's commercial market entry following certification is
planned for 2026

·      The initial aircraft will be certified for piloted flight, with
autonomy systems installed for future remote piloted applications

·      Vertiia has a cost to operate comparable with short-range
(domestic) airliners but has the advantage of taking passengers from door to
door due to not requiring a runway

·      Vertiia's aeromedical setup will seat a pilot, a paramedic and/or
doctor and patient, or it will be configured to carry passengers (1 pilot +
4pax)

·      Vertiia will cruise at 300km /hour and its initial range will be
250km on battery and 1,000km on hydrogen power

·      AMSL Aero holds international patents for Vertiia, protecting its
core technological features, including its unique wing tilting mechanism,
combined with its box wing design and control system

·      Vertiia is an eight electric motor tilting wing aircraft that can
operate from a helipad or similar size landing site

·      Vertiia has the capability to connect Australian regional hubs
such as Armidale to Coffs Harbour or Dubbo to Sydney and due to the small
number of seats it can conduct on-demand (unscheduled) services to reduce
excess capacity

 

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