• TECH-SHARK_EXTERIOR_004
    Embraer
    Stock Code:
    ERJ
    Date Founded:
    1969-08-19
    CEO:
    Francisco Gomes Neto
    Headquarters Location:
    Sao Paulo, Brazil
    Key Product Lines:
    Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190, Embraer 195, Embraer 175-E2, Embraer 190-E2, Embraer 195-E2
    Business Type:
    Planemaker

On Tuesday, urban air mobility company Eve Holding, Inc (Eve) announced its first UAM simulation in Chicago, Illinois. The simulation event will happen over three weeks, starting with ground testing on September 12.

The North American event follows a similar series of experimental flights in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That was in May when Eve used piloted helicopters to gather aerial data to evaluate various system technologies in urban scenarios. The Chicago simulation will use helicopters powered by Blade Air Mobility (Blade) as a substitute for an eVTOL. The simulation will mimic the complete UAM process, albeit with a helicopter, and the touchpoints needed for an urban service.

Time to head to Chicago and see what UAM is all about

Flight testing will begin in mid-September, with weekday morning and afternoon flights. Seats will be available for the public to experience what commuting by an electric vehicle aircraft (EVA) or eVTOL will look like. Eve says it aims to study operations, ground services, passenger journeys and eVTOL operator needs to create more accessible and faster connections to downtown Chicago. The simulation will also allow the City of Chicago to understand what infrastructure and ecosystem is required to launch and foster long-term growth of UAM in the area.

Embraer Eve Mock-Up
Eve has collected more than 1,900 provisional orders for its eVTOL, scheduled to enter service in 2025. Photo: Embraer

Eve co-CEO André Stein said the simulations are a great way to showcase the benefits of urban air mobility in one of North America's most prominent and populated cities. "Simulating the eVTOL operation in Chicago allows us to study how people will experience this service and understand the entire ecosystem requirement for our products and services."

"We are wrapping up preparations to execute these simulations seamlessly and look forward to helping Chicago prepare for a local zero-emission UAM solution that is quiet, efficient and sustainable."

The heart of the operation will be at Vertiport Chicago, an existing downtown heliport facility. In the UAM world, heliports are Vertiports, where eVTOLs take off, land, collect passengers and recharge their batteries. Eve has assembled an impressive group of participating stakeholders to facilitate the three-week simulation and make it meaningful. These include Blade, Republic Airways, Halo Aviation, SkyWest Inc, Speedbird Aero, ACCIONA, Vertiport Chicago, and Tinley and Schaumburg villages.

Replicating Eve's future eVTOL, the helicopter will transport passengers from the vertiport to two helistops located northwest and southwest of Chicago. Two routes will be operated, the first from Vertiport Chicago to Schaumburg Municipal Helistop and the second connecting Tinley Park Helistop to the vertiport. By involving a broad range of stakeholders, Eve hopes their differing views and feedback will help it develop the right solution for cities like Chicago.

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Eve is gathering orders while building the ecosystem for UAM

Stein Eve
Photo: Sumit Singh | Simple Flying

At the Farnborough Airshow, Eve unveiled a cabin mock-up for its planned eVTOL, with seats for four passengers and the pilot. Conceived by aircraft manufacturer Embraer, Eve was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in May, with Embraer retaining the majority stake. It has provisional sales agreements for more than 1,900 eVTOLs, with customers including Republic Airways, Bristow, Widerøe Zero, Blade, Helisul Aviação and Halo Aviation.

Blade is a global air mobility platform that uses helicopters and amphibious aircraft for passenger routes. It is also one of the world's largest air medical transporters of human organs for transplant. It aims to facilitate a seamless transition to Electric Vertical Aircraft and provide the public with lower-cost, quiet and emission-free air mobility.

If any of our Chicago readers want to get involved, have a look at Blade's app and website. And please send us some pictures of your experience.