Chennai’s ePlane Unveils PT-01, India’s First Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype

A Chennai-based startup, ePlane Company, unveils India’s first full-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype, PT-01. The prototype’s design features, testing sequence, applications, and commercial timeline are currently highlighted.

PT-01 eVTOL Prototype (ePlane Company):

Dimension	Key Details
Developer and prototype name	PT-01 is unveiled by a Chennai-based startup, ePlane Company, as India’s first full-scale eVTOL aircraft prototype.
eVTOL concept	eVTOL provides for vertical take-off and landing like helicopters, and forward flight like fixed-wing aircraft.
Structure	PT-01 comprises a carbon-fibre composite body.
Rotor and propeller configuration	PT-01 comprises 6 independent lift rotors and 4 forward propellers, with thrust redistribution if one motor fails.
Operational range	PT-01 provides for an operational range of 110 km.
Propulsion system	PT-01 is powered by batteries and multiple electric motors, and it does not comprise turbine engines.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)	AAM comprises electric propulsion, lightweight composites, and advanced flight-control systems.
Flight-control technology	PT-01 comprises modern fly-by-wire technology that provides for safe unmanned testing and redundancy in case of propulsion failure.
Safety feature	Distributed electric propulsion reduces risk of single-point failures, and it is suited for dense urban areas.
Initial trials sequence	Initial trials provide for unmanned test flights first, followed by piloted trials under a certification programme.
Commercial operations timeline	Commercial operations are targeted by 2028.
Applications	Applications comprise air ambulance services as the first use case, airport transfers, and urban transport.
Benefits	Benefits comprise quieter operations, lower emissions, and reduced operating costs compared to helicopters.