Eve Air Mobility Completes Successful First Flight of Full-Scale eVTOL Prototype
Rhea-AI Summary
Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) completed the first flight of its uncrewed full-scale eVTOL prototype on Dec 19, 2025 at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto test facility, validating aircraft architecture, fifth‑generation fly‑by‑wire controls and fixed‑pitch lifter rotors. Eve captured high‑fidelity data and will build six conforming prototypes to run a flight test campaign aimed at certification.
The company plans progressive envelope expansion, hundreds of flights in 2026, and continues engagement with ANAC, FAA and EASA, targeting type certification and first deliveries in 2027.
Positive
- First full‑scale uncrewed flight completed on Dec 19, 2025
- Captured high‑fidelity data validating fly‑by‑wire and lifter integration
- Plan to manufacture six conforming prototypes for flight test campaign
- Committed to hundreds of flights in 2026 to build certification data
- Active engagement with ANAC, FAA and EASA on certification
Negative
- Initial flight was uncrewed, with crewed operations not yet demonstrated
- Type certification and first deliveries targeted for 2027, a forward‑looking timeline subject to regulatory and testing risks
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus 2 Up
EVEX gained 5.46% with strong volume while peers LUNR and RDW also moved up 7.47% and 4.84%, respectively. With 2 peers in a momentum scan and a sector summary noting a median move of 6.2%, today’s strength reflects both company-specific news and broader Aerospace & Defense momentum.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 02 | Supplier selection | Positive | +12.0% | Chose BETA Technologies as pusher motor supplier for eVTOL program. |
| Dec 02 | Supplier selection | Positive | +12.0% | Supplier deal supports 2,800-aircraft backlog and 10-year opportunity. |
| Nov 04 | Quarterly earnings | Negative | -3.6% | Reported larger net loss with higher R&D and ongoing cash consumption. |
| Nov 03 | Commercial framework | Positive | -3.6% | Bahrain framework to build UAM ecosystem and regional vertiport network. |
| Nov 03 | Commercial framework | Positive | -3.6% | Middle East expansion plans with commercial operations targeted from 2028. |
Positive partnership and program milestones have previously coincided with upside moves, while earnings-related updates and some commercial announcements have seen weaker or negative reactions.
Over the last few months, Eve reported deeper R&D-driven losses, including a $46.9M net loss in 3Q25 and $44.9M in R&D, while remaining pre‑revenue. The company strengthened liquidity via an August 2025 equity raise of $230M. Strategically, it expanded in the Middle East through a Bahrain framework agreement targeting commercial operations from 2028, and secured BETA Technologies as pusher motor supplier, supporting a backlog of 2,800 eVTOLs. Today’s successful full‑scale prototype flight advances the technical side of that program.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement marks a key technical milestone as Eve completed the first flight of its full‑scale eVTOL prototype, initiating a broader test campaign and planning hundreds of flights through 2026. It supports earlier progress on supply chain, regional partnerships, and financing. Investors may track upcoming certification steps toward the targeted 2027 entry into service, the build‑out of 6 conforming prototypes, and how ongoing R&D spending and liquidity from prior raises balance against the pace of development.
Key Terms
evtol technical
urban air mobility technical
air traffic management technical
faa regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Milestone marks a significant step forward, validating aircraft architecture, fly-by-wire controls and integrated propulsion
- Hundreds of flights planned in 2026 as knowledge gain for certification
GAVIÃO PEIXOTO,
The inaugural flight initiates Eve's flight test phase and confirms the integration of key systems, including the fifth-generation fly-by-wire concept and the fixed-pitch lifter rotors. The company will perform multiple flights following today's hover flight, gradually expanding the envelope to transition into full wingborne flights throughout 2026.
"Today, Eve flew. This is a historical milestone for our employees, customers, investors and the entire ecosystem," said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. This flight validates our plan, which has been executed with precision to deliver the best solution for the market. We were able to capture high-fidelity data that will allow us to move forward with safety and confidence towards the certification path."
Eve will manufacture six conforming prototypes to conduct the flight test campaign, aiming for certification. The Company continues to engage with
"We exercised our control laws, verified the integration of the eight lifters and assessed energy management, the aircraft's dynamic response and noise footprint," said Luiz Valentini, Chief Technology Officer at Eve. "The prototype behaved as predicted by our models. With these data points, we will expand the envelope and progress toward transition to wingborne flight in a disciplined manner, ramping up to hundreds of flights throughout 2026 and building the knowledge required for type certification."
"This flight gives the product a clear green light to advance what matters to operators: reliability, efficiency and simplicity," said Jorge Bittercourt, Chief Product Officer at Eve. "We validated critical elements, from our lifter architecture to aircraft flight mechanics, and now we move into the flight test phase, aiming to advance the product maturity."
Next steps for the program include progressive envelope expansion and transitions to wingborne flight, as well as continued engagement with ANAC, other regulators and validating authorities, including FAA and EASA.
Eve leverages Embraer's 56 years of aerospace expertise in designing, certifying, manufacturing and delivering state-of-the-art aircraft, as well as the company's global aftermarket service footprint. Eve continues to focus on safety, simplicity and dispatchability to meet operator needs at scale.
Image: Eve Air Mobility First Flight
Eve's full-scale eVTOL mock-up: Eve Air Mobility Mock-Up Images
About Eve Air Mobility
Eve Air Mobility is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Benefitting from a start-up mindset, backed by Embraer's 56-year history of aerospace expertise, and with a singular focus, Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced eVTOL project, comprehensive global services and support network and a unique air traffic management solution. Eve is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (EVEX; EVEXW) and the São Paulo Stock Exchange (EVEB31), where its shares of common stock and public warrants are traded. For more information, please visit www.eveairmobility.com.
Forward‑Looking Statement
Disclosure Certain statements contained in this release are forward‑looking statements within the meaning of the
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SOURCE Eve Air Mobility