PODCAST SUMMARY: Alexandre Zaramela of Moya Aero on utilising autonomous aircraft for efficient cargo transport

In this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Alexandre Zaramela, CEO of Moya Aero, a trailblazing company in the eVTOL sector focused on cargo transportation.

Alexandre brought a wealth of experience and insights, having a 20-year track record in aerospace innovations, including pioneering work in electro-propulsion systems and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A Journey of Innovation

Alexandre’s journey in the aviation industry spans over two decades, with extensive stints in major companies such as Embraer and Airbus. His passion for innovation and technological advancement led him to co-found ACS Aviation, where his team developed a variety of aircraft, from light sport airplanes to medium-sized UAVs.

In 2015, Alexandre piloted the Sora E, the first manned electric aircraft in the southern hemisphere, marking a significant milestone in his career. Fast forward to 2020, he identified a gap in the eVTOL market for a simpler, more reliable technology—especially in the logistics and cargo sectors—and thus Moya Aero was born.

The Vision of Moya Aero

Moya Aero’s vision is straightforward yet ambitious: to utilize autonomous flight for efficient cargo transportation. Unlike many of their competitors focusing on passenger eVTOLs, Moya Aero aims to modernize logistics by making it faster and more cost-effective than traditional methods like helicopters and ground vehicles.

“We are developing both electric and hybrid versions of our eVTOLs,” says Alexandre. “Our full electric version has a range of 100 km, while the hybrid solution extends up to 300 km. This dual approach allows us to offer more flexible solutions to our operators.”

Development Milestones and Timeline

Alexandre shared some exciting updates about their progress:

• Prototype Testing: They are currently flying a 75 per cent scale prototype with an 80 kg payload, which serves as a proof of concept.
• Full-Scale Prototype: Manufacturing of the full-scale prototype is scheduled to start by the end of this year, with the aim to fly it by the second semester of 2025.
• Certification and Commercialization: Moya Aero targets completing certification by the end of 2026 and starting operations in 2027.

Use Cases and Market Opportunities

Moya Aero is primarily focused on ‘middle-mile’ logistics services, targeting operations that are faster than ground vehicles but cheaper than helicopters. Alexandre highlighted various potential applications:

Urban Logistics: Transporting goods across cities, bypassing traffic and geographical obstacles.
Offshore Services: Providing cost-effective transport to offshore platforms, which can significantly lower operational costs.
Agribusiness: Enhancing efficiency in the agricultural sector by deploying autonomous eVTOLs for various logistical needs.
Emergency Services: Utilizing eVTOLs for firefighting and rescue operations.

Regulatory Landscape in Brazil

When discussing the regulatory environment, Alexandre emphasized the supportive role of ANAC (National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil). “We are closely collaborating with ANAC to establish a risk-based certification framework, which will allow us to gradually introduce our technology starting with low-risk operations,” he explained.

Facility and Production Plans

Moya Aero has recently moved into a new larger facility near Sao Paulo, equipped to handle the production and testing of their full-scale prototypes. “We are a smaller team of 25 dedicated professionals, but we are strategically growing to meet our goals,” shared Alexandre.

Staying Connected

As Moya Aero continues to make strides in the eVTOL market, Alexandre encourages the audience to stay connected through their official website, LinkedIn, and upcoming conferences. He remains optimistic about the future, despite the challenging investment landscape.

“We have a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact on global logistics, and we are committed to delivering results,” Alexandre concluded.

Final Thoughts

Moya Aero is at the forefront of a transformative phase in the eVTOL industry, focusing on practical and impactful applications. We look forward to their future accomplishments and the broad-reaching benefits their technology will bring.

For the latest updates on Moya Aero and other eVTOL innovations, stay tuned to the eVTOL Insights podcast and our blog.