Eve Air Mobility has signed a letter of intent with Helicopters Inc., a reference vertical lift and helicopter operator in the United States, for up to 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The order for aircraft, service support and Vector, Eve’s urban air traffic management (ATM) software, was announced during the "Revolution.aero Advanced Air Mobility" (AAM) conference where Eve was participating in the event discussing how to support and scale the future of air mobility.

Their relationship dates back to a simulation the two companies worked on together in Chicago, IL. in 2022. Eve, partnering with Blade, Inc. and Helicopters Inc., used a helicopter that was operated by Helicopters Inc. to replicate future eVTOL operations. The companies teamed to transport passengers from the Vertiport Chicago facility to two helistops located northwest and southwest of Chicago. The first route connected Vertiport Chicago to Schaumburg Municipal Helistop, and the second route connected Vertiport Chicago to Tinley Park Helistop.

Both industries will further work together in refining potential launch cities in target markets, aircraft maintenance and servicing requirements, and along with ecosystem partners, analysing the additional infrastructure requirements needed to support safe and efficient operations. Target use cases could feature airport shuttle and point-to-point connections across the United States.

As part of the new agreement, Helicopters, Inc. will also have access to Eve TechCare, a pioneer all-in-one suite of solutions designed to streamline eVTOL operations by providing the industry’s most comprehensive services, expert customer support, and cutting-edge operational solutions. The agreement also includes Vector, an agnostic software solution designed to efficiently navigate current and future advanced air mobility operations. 

Eve’s eVTOL aircraft utilizes a lift+cruise configuration with eight dedicated propellers for vertical flight and fixed wings to fly on cruise, with no change in the position of these components during flight. The aircraft includes an electric pusher powered by dual electric motors that provide propulsion redundancy with the goal of ensuring the highest levels of performance and safety.

Last year the company announced that its first eVTOL production facility will be located in the city of Taubaté, in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The company recently unveiled its first full-scale prototype at the "Farnborough Air Show" this past July and is progressing towards its test campaign. Eve has Letters of Intent for nearly 3,000 eVTOL including with customers on nearly every continent.