Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

South Korean start-up Airbility has raised ₩2.5 billion ($1.7 million) in a pre-series A funding round to kickstart its plans to develop a family of hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. The company confirmed the new backing last week, reporting that it has now raised $2.6 million.
Airbility will deploy the new funds to step up work on its AB-0 uncrewed drone, which has a payload of just 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Its longer-term ambitions involve a two-seat AB-2 eVTOL aircraft that it said will meet the FAA’s proposed MOSAIC rules for certifying new light sports aircraft for personal use.
According to Airbility, it achieved a first flight with an AB-0 prototype in 2024 and expects to deliver flight endurance of more than 90 minutes at cruise speeds of around 109 knots. The company is pitching the uncrewed vehicle at applications including surveillance and reconnaissance, search and rescue, and anti-drone interventions.
Airbility CEO Jinmo Lee told AIN that it will now focus on identifying potential customers for the AB-0 and conducting proof-of-concept activities. He cited activities such as fish shoal detection and wildfire monitoring as likely use cases.
Both the AB-0 and AB-2 aircraft will be powered by what Airbility described as electric ducted fans with an unspecified internal combustion engine generator providing power to supplement that coming from batteries. The company said that future plans could involve a switch to a hydrogen power source, and it may opt to develop another model designated as the AB-1.
According to Lee, his team aims to build an AB-2 prototype and have it ready to start test flights in 2027. The company’s business plan calls for certification and initial deliveries in 2028.
Several other <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-10-18/korean-partnerships-evtol-aircraft-developers-boost-countrys-plans-advanced">South Korean companies</a>&nbsp;have been active in the advanced air mobility sector. These include <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-07-23/supernal-debuts-s-a2-evtol-and-prepares-fly-demonstrator">Hyundai subsidiary Supernal</a>, which is developing a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. Until mid-2024 the country's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-06-14/hanwha-boosts-backing-overairs-butterfly-evtol-aircraft-145-million">Hanwha</a>&nbsp;had backed California-based Overair’s plans for the Butterfly aircraft before withdrawing financial support.
This story was updated on January 31 to update the reference to Hanwha and Overair.

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Pre-series A funding of around $1.7 million will support Airbility’s work to develop the AB-0 drone and a two-seat personal eVTOL vehicle called the AB-2.

Korean Start-up Airbility Raises Funds for Hybrid-electric VTOL Aircraft

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