Eve Air Mobility completed the maiden flight of its uncrewed full-scale electric vertical take-off (eVTOL) and landing prototype on December 19 at Embraer's test facility in Gaviao Peixoto, Sao Paulo state, the company stated.
The inaugural hover flight marks the start of Eve's flight test phase and confirms the integration of key systems, including fifth-generation fly-by-wire controls and fixed-pitch lifter rotors. Eve which is listed in New York with a market cap of just under $1.7bn, is part of a group of small startups around the world pushing to launch their eVTOLs in commercial markets.
The company will perform multiple flights following the initial test, gradually expanding the envelope to transition into full wingborne flights throughout 2026.
"Today, Eve flew. This is a historical milestone for our employees, customers, investors and the entire ecosystem," Johann Bordais, chief executive of Eve, stated. "This flight validates our plan, which has been executed with precision to deliver the best solution for the market."
Eve will manufacture six conforming prototypes to conduct the flight test campaign, aiming for certification. The company continues to engage with Brazil's Civil Aviation Agency, Eve's primary certifying authority, to advance the certification process. Eve expects type certification, first deliveries and entry into service in 2027.
"We exercised our control laws, verified the integration of the eight lifters and assessed energy management, the aircraft's dynamic response and noise footprint," Luiz Valentini, chief technology officer at Eve, stated. "The prototype behaved as predicted by our models."
The company will expand the envelope and progress toward transition to wingborne flight, ramping up to hundreds of flights throughout 2026 to build knowledge required for type certification, according to Valentini.
"This flight gives the product a clear green light to advance what matters to operators: reliability, efficiency and simplicity," Jorge Bittercourt, chief product officer at Eve, stated. "We validated critical elements, from our lifter architecture to aircraft flight mechanics."
According to the company, the next steps for the programme include progressive envelope expansion and transitions to wingborne flight, as well as continued engagement with ANAC, other regulators and validating authorities including the Federal Aviation Administration and European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
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