This Futuristic Single-Seat eVTOL Is a Total Game-Changer for Emergency Operations
It's a well-known fact that eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing) have tremendous potential for improving EMS (emergency medical service) and SAR (search-and-rescue) operations thanks to their ability to reach remote locations at high speed. This Californian-designed concept takes things even further – it's at the center of a new approach that could save even more lives.
Meet the JA1 Pulse aircraft, an eVTOL unlike any other – it was designed exclusively for rapid response, yet it's totally different than other electric aircraft with the same purpose. It all starts with a special design. The JA1 Pulse is a biplane standing tail-sitter with a single seat. When this spaceship-like contraption lands on its tail, you’ll see just one trained professional emerge. During flight, this unique vertical concept also provides an unprecedented view for the pilot, perfect for steep approaches.
This is a unique concept when it comes to EMS and SAR eVTOLs. The idea is to improve efficiency beyond existing standards. Capacity-wise, the JA1 Pulse can only carry one professional plus the required emergency equipment. This allows it to focus on performance. The Pulse eVTOL claims to be able to arrive anywhere within 50 km (31 miles) in under 10 minutes.
Equipped with eight independent batteries of 11 kWh and a single fast-charging port, this flying machine boasts a 250-knot (287 mph/463 kph) dash speed. It can land on most roads and driveways, and it's packed with multiple safety features. It's also easy to transport (on a flatbed trailer, without having to be disassembled) and to maintain.
The JA1 Pulse was specifically designed to access remote and rural terrain at a remarkably high speed. The aircraft is part of a wider concept that brings a fresh perspective to emergency care, fire and rescue, and even law enforcement operations.
This concept involves dispatching the Pulse eVTOL at the same time as the main rescue vehicle. The eVTOL will arrive at the destination first, allowing the operator inside to perform first aid in record time. Those few minutes between the arrival of the eVTOL and the arrival of the standard vehicle means that more lives can be saved.
For instance, in rural areas, the Pulse aircraft can arrive up to 30 minutes earlier than an ambulance. Even in a suburban area, it could still cut down the standard response time to half, from eight to just four minutes.
This game-changing concept was developed by Carl Dietrich, the founder of Jump Aero. An MIT graduate, Dietrich first dabbled in the world of electric aircraft with Terrafugia, a company he later sold to Geely. He launched Jump Aero in 2019, together with Jeff Myjak and Katerina Barilov.
Just four years later, the startup has already secured an important order from Electro Ventures, which will operate ten Pulse eVTOLs in Australia. It's a promising start for what promises to be a truly revolutionary concept harnessing the powers of eVTOL technology.