Supernal and CHC Helicopter to collaborate on eVTOL operations
March 11, 2025
Supernal is to collaborate with Texas-based helicopter flight services company CHC Helicopter “to share scaled eVTOL vehicle operations,” explained the California-based eVTOL developer, with an additional focus on serving use cases beyond commercial passenger transportation. Under the new agreement, Supernal will also work with CHC subsidiary and rotary-wing MRO provider Heli-One.
Integrating Supernal’s SA-2 aircraft with CHC’s flight operations services and Heli-One’s MRO expertise, “specifically, the objective is to understand how CHC could operate Supernal’s eVTOL vehicles in the future for AAM commercial passenger transportation, as well as for potential applications with its existing flight services client base in offshore energy, search and rescue, and emergency services,” explained Supernal.
“Matching CHC’s global experience and Heli-One’s support services with Supernal’s scaled eVTOL vehicle manufacturing will expand seamless operation as the industry matures,” added Supernal senior director of strategy and commercialisation David Rottblatt. With Supernal’s full-scale demonstrator apparently undergoing ground testing in California, the company intends to deliver its first aircraft to operator in 2028.
CHC Helicopter describes itself as a “global leader in the provision of vertical transportation services to the offshore energy market, search and rescue, and government departments”. Its crew, personnel and offshore cargo transport solutions have been awarded seven AOCs by civil authorities, while the company prides itself on an “exceptional 98% on-time performance when setting up new bases”.
Designed to be IFR-capable, and to “operate safely at night and in poor visibility conditions,” Supernal’s four-passenger, piloted S-A2 is targeting an initial range of around 60 miles.
