Switching to hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will transform air ambulances in Ireland dramatically reducing transfer times for patients and cutting costs for operators, according to a new report from Horizon Aircraft.
“Hybrid eVTOLs, which have a flight range of up to 800 km with fuel reserves, can cover all of Ireland using existing helipads and analysis shows they are up to two-times faster and are 50% more cost efficient with almost twice the range of twin engine helicopters,” says the report. “Data shows a 230 km transfer from Letterkenny University Hospital to Dublin Hospital would take 35 minutes in the Cavorite X7, compared with nearly an hour in a helicopter and as long as three-and-a-half hours by road in an ambulance.”
The cost per mile for the Cavorite X7 would be 74% cheaper when compared with a twin helicopter for the 230 km journey, Horizon Aircraft says. Other operating savings for the Cavorite X7 include hangar costs which are around 40% of a helicopter as its wingspan can be reduced by folding the wings.”
The company believes hybrid eVOTLs can also play a major role in tourism in Ireland – 300 km transfers from Dublin Airport to Belmullet on the Wild Atlantic Way would take around 40 minutes with the Cavorite X7 compared with one hour and 10 minutes in a helicopter and four hours or more in a hire car.
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