For mountain rescue operations: eVTOL Jetson One withstands strong winds
Jetson has tested its single-seat eVTOL Jetson One for use in mountain rescue missions. The tests in Poland were very promising.
A Jetson One during GOPR mountain rescue tests.
(Image: Screenshot/Jetson)
The aviation company Jetson has successfully tested its eVTOL Jetson One for use in mountain rescue operations. Two of the aircraft were used during the tests in Poland. They withstood strong crosswinds of up to 58 km/h.
Every second counts in mountain rescue operations. First responders have to be on site as quickly as possible to help people who have had an accident on the mountain. Rescue teams are usually deployed on foot or by off-road vehicle and helicopter. The former are often too slow to reach the scene of an accident, while the latter cannot land everywhere due to a lack of space. The maintenance costs of helicopters are also high. The Polish mountain rescue team Górskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (GOPR) has identified the eVTOL Jetson One as a way to rescue climbers in distress more quickly. They calculate that a single Jetson One could cover up to 700 km² of remote terrain.
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To verify this, GOPR invited the Jetson team to take part in the tests. Jetson used two standard Jetson One aircraft. This is a single-seater, 115 kg eVTOL whose four pairs of rotors are driven by electric motors arranged in pairs one above the other. Measuring 2.7 m Ă— 1.6 m Ă— 1.1 m, the eVTOL is foldable and has a very minimalist design. The aircraft is ready for use in just a few seconds and can therefore take off very quickly in emergencies. Jetson One can carry a pilot weighing up to 95 kg. It is therefore not possible to use it to rescue an injured person. The flight time is around 30 minutes and the speed is limited to 102 km/h by software.
Short reaction time
During the tests, the reaction time to operational readiness and the basic suitability for rescue operations were tested. Several different representatives from rescue organizations assessed the suitability. This was to ensure that different perspectives were included in the assessment. The two Jetson One aircraft flew to several mountain locations, including Mount Lubań at an altitude of just under 1211 meters. They reached the summit in less than four minutes. Strong winds up to a speed of 58 km/h could not disturb the eVTOL. The Jetson One was also able to land and take off again in a very confined space.
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The evaluating rescue organizations agree that a Jetson One can be used as the "spearhead" of mountain rescue and for the rapid first aid of injured persons. Jetson is now planning to adapt the Jetson One for mountain rescue and other life-saving scenarios.
(olb)
