Former Fleet Air Arm Commander Chris Smallhorn has joined development company AMSL Aero as its first chairperson.
Smallhorn's main task will be to advise founders Andrew Moore and Siobhan Lyndon as they prepare AMSL's Vertiia eVTOL for commercial launch in 2026.
Smallhorn, a retired navy Commodore, Commander of the Fleet Air Arm and former CEO of Coulsen Aviation Australia is also a qualified experimental test pilot and aerospace engineer.
"I knew I wanted to be part of this endeavour as I walked into the AMSL Aero hangar in Bankstown," he said. "I saw a group of truly brilliant young engineers from diverse backgrounds, all educated and trained in Australia, doing innovative work to create the first Australian-designed certified aircraft in many years.
"Sitting in the hangar was the advanced prototype of Vertiia, which immediately impressed me with its efficient aerodynamic design, safety and redundancy-based configuration, and practical hybrid power plant design.
"This is a world beater.”
AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor Andrew Moore said Smallhorn's experience would be invaluable as the company moves the Vertiia from the experimental stage to a full-developed eVTOL.
“Chris has the unique background that is well suited to steering the future of AMSL Aero in this key stage of growth and development," Moore said. "He is a highly astute leader and adviser and will provide significate strategic value and counsel to the company in this next phase of growth."
Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Siobhan Lyndon believes that Smallhorn is key to the future of AMSL Aero and the Vertiia.
“We are delighted to have Chris Smallhorn join our Board of Directors and be appointed Chairperson," she said. "As a highly accomplished leader, aerospace engineer, test pilot, with experience spanning both the private and public sectors, Chris brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and counsel that is highly valuable to the long-term sustainability of AMSL Aero."
The prototype Vertiia was first flown in February this year. Vertiia produces zero carbon emissions and can carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of 162 KTAS.