MUSCAT: Imagine soaring above the congested streets during rush hour, reaching your destination swiftly and effortlessly. This vision could soon become a reality in Oman, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Fahad al Riyami, founder of AeroVecto. Al Riyami, a technology and aviation enthusiast, recently shared insights into his groundbreaking project during an interview with Abdullah al Maawali on Oman FM.
The concept of eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft isn't new, but AeroVecto aims to push the boundaries by developing larger, more capable aircraft specifically designed for mass public transportation. "I've always been a fan of aviation since I was a kid," Al Riyami reminisced. "We used to live in an apartment near the airport, and I had a perfect view of the runway. So I always used to see planes landing and taking off, and I absolutely loved it." This childhood passion partnered with his professional expertise in technology inspired Al Riyami to venture into developing flying buses. "I wanted to combine my passions for technology and aviation into one thing. And that's where I thought about flying buses or eVTOL aircraft," he explained.
The idea gained momentum when Al Riyami participated in an aviation hackathon organised by Oman Airports, where his proposal stood out among hundreds of applicants. The core problem AeroVecto aims to solve is traffic congestion, a significant issue in densely populated urban areas. "So there's two parts of that, really. Building the aircraft is one part. And then making sure the infrastructure is in place to support that aircraft," he noted.
Currently, AeroVecto is in the conceptual and engineering design phase, with plans to build prototypes and eventually the final vehicle. The target is to create an aircraft that can carry 15 to 18 passengers, substantially more than the 4 to 8 passenger capacity of most existing eVTOL models. "Our target is any city with a very high density of population. And we anticipate people to use it during rush hours," Al Riyami said, identifying morning, afternoon, and evening rush hours as prime times for the service.
The aircraft's design is still being finalised, but initial concepts resemble a large minibus with rotors on the sides, akin to a scaled-up drone. This innovative design promises to revolutionise urban transport, offering a new mode of travel that complements existing systems. "So going from your home to the station, to the shuttle station, and then from the station to your final destination... it's really important for a city to have a multi-modal transport system," Al Riyami elaborated.
Despite the ambitious nature of the project, AeroVecto has received significant support from local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Oman Airports. This backing is crucial, particularly in terms of regulatory support and funding. "Everyone we've spoken to from the Ministry of Transport, from the Civil Aviation Authority, Oman Airports, have all been very supportive of the project because they know it solves an issue," Al Riyami affirmed.
The journey ahead is challenging, especially in terms of engineering. The plan involves developing a hybrid powertrain using both electric motors and traditional or sustainable aviation fuels due to current limitations in battery technology. "Pure electric is not enough to carry the weight that we need. Not yet," Al Riyami admitted.
Looking ahead, Al Riyami envisions the eVTOL aircraft entering service between 2032 and 2035, transforming Oman’s urban skyline and transport dynamics. "Other eVTOL manufacturers are targeting 2026, 2027. For us, we anticipate about entering into service in 2032 to 2035, if everything goes to plan," he projected.
As Al Riyami himself optimistically concluded, "The good thing is that other people believe in us as well, like the governments and the stakeholders there. They're also very adamant and believe in our ability to make this happen."
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