SANTA ANA, Calif., - Overair, Inc. revealed the commercial design of its revolutionary Butterfly all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility. Until now, Overair's rapidly growing team of engineers and technicians has been operating in stealth mode, integrating technologies from 20+ years of aerospace innovation led by Abe Karem, designer of aircraft such as the Predator. Leveraging that legacy of the Department of Defense and privately backed technology, Butterfly is designed to be robust, efficient, and quiet aircraft.
Butterfly's capability stems from its propulsion system, known as Optimum Speed Propulsion (OSP). Butterfly's four large propellers spin slowly in hover and even slower cruise, resulting in two primary aerodynamic advantages. First, the props are so efficient that hover flight consumes only a small fraction of the available motor power, giving Butterfly extra payload capacity and power margins to operate safely in challenging environmental conditions. Second, the slow-turning props produce very little noise, optimizing Butterfly for high-density routes over sensitive communities.
Butterfly's design combines the low energy and maintenance costs of all-electric vehicles with the robust flight qualities of OSP, unlocking a reliable aviation solution over congested metropolitan areas. This combination will enable Overair to pass Butterfly's value to its customers through competitive pricing with today's ground transportation options.
Overair expects to certify Butterfly with the FAA in 2025. Following certification, Overair will launch commercial operations in targeted US and South Korea markets, with Overair's strategic partner Hanwha Systems.
