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Clay Lacy Aviation announced on Jan. 24 that it was partnering with eVTOL developer Overair to establish quiet and emission-free operations in the Southern California region. Through this collaboration, the two companies will develop a concept of operations for Overair's Butterfly eVTOL and other advanced air mobility aircraft.
"Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an ideal addition to Southern California's transportation network, creating a new option for fast, safe, and quiet transportation in the region," Overair CCO Valerie Manning said. "We have been working with our partners at Clay Lacy for over a year and are delighted to announce our shared plan. We are confident that this strategic collaboration will leverage our respective strengths to create an AAM network that will positively impact local residents and visitors alike."
The Butterfly eVTOL's first full-scale prototype was completed in December and began testing in early 2024. The companies plan to develop electric charging facilities at Clay Lacy's FBO locations at the John Wayne Airport in Orange County and Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles. Through the partnership, Clay Lacy and Overair will explore establishing new vertiport facilities and services across the Southern California region.?Overair's first full-scale Buttersly prototype, from Facebook
"Ultra-quiet all-electric aircraft bring the promise of convenient and efficient transportation, easing traffic congestion and reducing travel times," said Scott Cutshall, Clay Lacy SVP of strategy and sustainability at Clay Lacy. "This collaboration with the Overair team brings us one step closer to better serving the residents and communities in Southern California."
With the agreement, Clay Lacy will focus on developing charging infrastructure and aircraft operation logistics. Overair will provide expertise in aircraft integration, maintenance, certification, user and vertiport software integration, flight path planning and public awareness. This is the latest partnership Overair announced to launch AAM infrastructure, including those with India's JetSetGo, the City of Arlington and DFW International Airport in North Texas, and numerous agreements with South Korean partners.
"As we continue to make strides developing Butterfly, we're also focused on partnering with infrastructure leaders to ensure that operations using this new mode of transit can be scaled quickly and efficiently," Overair Head of Mobility Operations John Criezis said.