Doron Merdinger put his money where his mouth is, becoming the first ever test pilot for his company’s electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicle. With that, Doroni Aerospace becomes the first company to successfully conduct a manned test flight of a two-seater eVTOL in the U.S.
“I am absolutely thrilled by the remarkable success of our team in completing the first-ever US manned test flight of a personal 2-seater eVTOL,” said Merdinger after the flight. “It felt like floating on a cushion of air, experiencing a level of freedom and excitement that is unparalleled.”
The test flight took place in a stripped down version of the company’s vehicle, the Doroni Aerospace H1, which has previously completed more than 50 test flights. When it is ready for consumers, the company estimates that the vehicle will have a range of up to 60 miles (96 km) per charge. As battery technology improves, it hopes to push that range to 100 miles (161 km).
Read: Alef’s $300,000 eVTOL That Looks Like A Car Gets U.S. Approval To Fly
Speaking to TMZ earlier this year, Merdinger said that the H1 will be able to reach speeds of up to 140 mph (225 km/h), and fly hundreds of feet into the air. Prices for the all-electric vehicle are expected to start at $350,000 when it’s ready for customers to fly in 2025.
The company adds that, as a result of the batteries, the H1 has zero local emissions. Based on the ear protection being worn by the people in the hangar with the vehicle, it seems like it is quite loud, though.
The semi-autonomous vehicle is one of a handful being developed in the U.S. and around the globe. Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration handed out Special Airworthiness Certifications to a number of companies, allowing them to test their eVTOLs more extensively.