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<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, recently verified the news by sharing images of a prototype developed by the ePlane Company, an initiative of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company also aims to initially commercialise its drones that can carry a payload of 2\u20136 kilograms in the coming months, according to a senior executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Satya Chakravarthy, the founder and CEO of ePlane Company, announced the development of an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft. Initially, the aircraft will be designed as a three- or four-seater plane that can later be converted into an air ambulance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The initial certifiable prototype is anticipated to be completed by March next year. It will require another couple of years to obtain certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),” Chakravarthy, who is also a faculty at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As per the startup’s website, the initiative intends to alleviate congestion in urban spaces by offering accessible, affordable, and sustainable flying experiences to people around the world. “In essence, to make flying ubiquitous,” it adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ePlane will require just 14 minutes to reach a place, a journey that would typically take 60 minutes by personal vehicle and 27 minutes by helicopter, the company claims on its website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The ePlane Company, headquartered in Chennai, is among the select few firms globally that have successfully developed flying taxis.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The startup, established by Prof Satya Chakravarthy, is expected to commence its inaugural passenger flight by 2025.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the commercial front, the company is set to start its logistics flight either by the end of 2023 or in early 2024.<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The firm has extensively flown and tested its smallest prototype, ‘e6’, a small fixed-wing drone designed to transport up to 6kg of payload over extended distances. This model is meant for surveillance and delivery services. <\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n According to Chakravarthy, the company is also in the process of developing drones that are anticipated to be commercialsed in the coming months. Its initial plan is to come out with a standard category, followed by an upgraded category of drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The drones, which come in two sets with payloads ranging from 2\u20136 kg and up to 50 kg, will have the capability to fly up 40-60 kilometers,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chennai-based startup ePlane Company, which is working on developing India’s first eVTOL air taxi, undertook flight testing of its prototype aircraft recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company recently released a video showcasing its ‘e50’ prototype aircraft executing a flawless vertical takeoff and seamless transition to forward flight. This unmanned fixed-wing aircraft, operated remotely from the ground via a remote control, boasts dimensions similar to those of a compact car, measuring 3 meters in both length and width. The company plans to develop a larger aircraft to ferry passengers and cargo in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.websitemodel.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/eTaxi-co-1024x745.jpg\")
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ePlane holds India’s first ever ‘e50’ flight test <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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