SAMAD Aerospace has announced that it has completed hover tests for its second prototype eVTOL eStarling aircraft.
Designed for intercity transport, the eStarling aircraft will combine a helicopter’s vertical ability to take off and land from almost anywhere, with the speed and range of a business jet.
With a cruising speed of 300 MPH and a range of 800 Miles, the eStarling will reach the highest speeds of any eVTOL aircraft. It will transport passengers ‘helipad-helipad’ avoiding the need to travel to and from airports.
Previous testing has developed conventional take-off and landing of the prototype. Recent tethered hover tests followed by full hover tests demonstrated a very agile and stable prototype with hovering and helicopter moves.
This month’s hover tests were performed over a crane system, and they focused on the validation of the flight control system in hovering mode. The aircraft consumed 65% of the available power to take off and hover with a healthy power surplus for adverse weather conditions.
Speaking from his UK Head Office at Cranfield Technology Park, Dr. Seyed Mohseni, CEO of SAMAD Aerospace, said:
“The importance of these recent flight tests is the initial validation of autopilot that has been developed by the SAMAD Aerospace team.”
Available to pre-order now for delivery in 2026, the eStarling will reduce total travel time by utilising locations much closer to the customer’s point of departure and destination, including remote locations.
