Israel-based eVTOL developer AIR has partnered with The International SeaKeepers Society, an educational organisation for members of the yachting community, to ensure its eVTOL models are promoted for use as auxiliary equipment to extend yachters' reach and access points beyond yacht capabilities.

As an official AIR brand ambassador, SeaKeepers will play a significant role in expanding and enabling AIR's vision, namely the mass adoption of personal air vehicles, by focusing on the unique yachting community market. Incorporating the AIR One on yachting expeditions simplifies near-shore commutes on and off the yacht by eliminating the need to carry aviation fuel and a variety of spare parts, removing the obstacle of requiring a professional pilot and allowing for charging using onboard generators.

AIR's inaugural vehicle, AIR One, is a sporty, all-electric two seat eVTOL offering a practical range on a single charge at speeds up to 155 miles per hour (250 km/h). Owners can take off and land on any flat surface with a 250kg payload, including a yacht deck. AIR One's collapsible wings and compact size make it a viable flight option for a considerable portion of the yachting community.

"As AIR enters the next stages of growth, we are excited to deliver the value of personal electric flight to additional industries and communities," says CEO and co-founder Rani Plaut. "In addition to helping improve yacht logistics, this partnership enables yachters to add an extra layer of sky-high adventure to sea excursions and is a significant step in our mission to advance air mobility adoption around the world."

"The eVTOL is a natural addition to yachting missions," adds SeaKeepers chairman Jay Wade. "The AIR One specifically is a no-brainer for yachters looking for an environmentally friendly, easy-to-integrate flight option to elevate their yacht experience, literally and figuratively."

Since coming out of stealth just over a year ago, the AIR One was unveiled at the Kentucky Derby in May 2022, leading to over 300 pre-orders globally. Last month, the company announced successful forward flight testing of its full-scale prototype, just five months after completing its first hover flights in July, keeping it on track to deliver the first batch of AIR One vehicles late 2024. AIR's most recent partnerships include air mobility companies FlyOnE and AeroAuto, establishing a network to service and support AIR's growing community of users.

Indeed, Austria-headquartered electric solar yacht manufacturer Silent-Yachts’ design project, the Silent 120 Explorer, has space for two eVTOL aircraft. A partnership with Xcraft XP4 developer VRCO marks the first time a yacht builder and an aircraft manufacturer have collaborated. The XP4 can be landed on the roof of the Silent 120 Explorer, where large solar panels will slide outboard to port and starboard to reveal a touch-and-go landing pad. The four seat XP4 can be charged from the Silent 120 Explorer’s solar panels and can also deliver power from its own battery to the yacht as a back-up power source. 

The first Silent 120 Explorer is currently in build and due for launch in 2024.