FutureFlight
Helicopter Industry Is Gravitating Towards Advanced Air Mobility
Rotorcraft business leaders told the Helicopter Investor conference that new vertical lift and short-takeoff and landing vehicles could have a positive impact.
Pipistrel's Nuuva autonomous eVTOL cargo vehicle.
Lobo Leasing intends to add Pipistrel's Nuuva autonomous eVTOL cargo vehicle to its portfolio. (Image: Pipistrel)

Rotorcraft industry leaders addressing the Helicopter Investor conference last week in London expressed measured optimism over prospects for the emerging advanced air mobility sector. There was consensus that new eVTOL aircraft will start to be used for some current helicopter use cases, albeit most speakers expressed doubt that this will start happening from 2025, as many of the more bullish market entrants are insisting.

Lobo Leasing is one of a handful of lessors to have committed to adding eVTOL aircraft, having already made a down payment for Pipistrel’s planned Nuuva autonomous cargo vehicles. The UK-based group’s CEO Dan Roberts said that he is ready to make further payments to the Textron eAviation company with a view to leasing or reselling the Nuuvas to operators.