The Dufour Aerospace CCO tells us about the manned and unmanned tilt-wing eVTOL platforms being developed by the company.

Sascha Hardegger is the Chief Commercial Officer at Dufour Aerospace, a Swiss-based eVTOL startup developing manned and unmanned tilt-wing platforms. The company is currently focused on the Aero2 VTOL drone aircraft and the Aero3 next-generation 8-seat emergency medical service VTOL. Both aircraft feature tilt wings.

The remotely-piloted Aero2 has a maximum takeoff weight of 150 kg (331 lbs), a payload of 40 kg (88 lbs) in standard configuration, and 20 kg (44 lbs) in long-range configuration. Cruise speed is up to 170 km/h (92 kts). Propulsion comes from four wing-mounted motors powering four propellers and two tail fans. A prototype is flying and Dufour is progressing toward a hybrid-electric propulsion system. Aero2 use cases include critical cargo transport, cargo to remote locations, and remote sensing.

Find Dufour Aerospace on Twitter @DufourAero and be sure to see the company’s YouTube channel.

Sascha is responsible for the commercial activities of Dufour Aerospace. He’s the former ops director of Swiss REGA, the largest HEMS operator in Switzerland. Sascha led their initial foray into drone operations for Search and Rescue. He has worked as a journalist, a media spokesperson for the Swiss federal department of justice and police, and on peace-keeping missions abroad for the military. He is also an aviation enthusiast with time spent flying planes, gliders, paragliders, RC models, and drones.

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