A quiet revolution in aviation is about to take flight. AltoVolo’s launch vehicle, Sigma, is set to take on both the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) space and the global helicopter market.
The founding team behind the company has reportedly identified a capital-efficient development strategy, paving a quicker path to profitability within the advanced air mobility (AAM) landscape.
AltoVolo emerges as a company to watch in 2025, having engineered a vehicle that it claims operates with 80 percent less noise than helicopters and boasts a range four times greater than leading eVTOL competitors such as Archer Aviation.
Key features of the Sigma include a hybrid-electric tilting jet propulsion system, designed for enhanced efficiency and noise reduction. This system enables an impressive 510-mile (821 km) range and a cruise speed of 220 mph (354 km/h).
Safety is a priority, with the aircraft engineered to maintain stable flight following the failure of a single jet, and incorporating a ballistic parachute. The Sigma also features a compact and lightweight design, measuring just 4.8 meters wide and weighing 980 kg with three passengers on board.
Will Wood, the founder and CEO of AltoVolo, has stated that the Sigma represents a “statement of intent, reimagining the way we live and travel on our planet,” adding, “We are building the fastest point to point transport solution and have already achieved significant breakthroughs to make this happen.”
The Sigma’s innovative design and engineering have received validation from Dr. Richard E. Brown of Sophrodyne Aerospace, a recognized authority in aerodynamics.
Furthermore, AltoVolo has garnered support from Ansys, a provider of simulation tools utilized by Formula 1 teams. Following the completion of scale prototype flight testing, the company is reportedly making rapid progress towards the production of a full-scale demonstrator. Autonomous flight systems for the Sigma are being supplied by Embention, a Spanish firm that provides certified flight controllers to Amazon Prime Air.
AltoVolo has ingeniously combined a patent-pending tilting electric jet design with integrated aerodynamics. This approach leverages the high burst capability of batteries for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and the energy density of liquid fuel for extended range flights. The Sigma’s compact footprint allows it to land in diverse locations such as driveways, rooftops, and yachts.
At its core, AltoVolo’s mission is to integrate flight seamlessly into everyday life, eliminating the need for traditional airport infrastructure, fixed schedules, congestion, and reliance on public transport or lengthy urban planning processes.
Shaping the Future of Personal Transportation
Select customers will have the opportunity to join the waiting list for a launch edition Sigma vehicle in early July. AltoVolo is introducing what it terms a “vertical hybrid jet,” offering owners increased time, independence, and reach, extending opportunities beyond the short-haul city missions targeted by most eVTOL developers.
The Sigma is designed for both regional and urban air mobility, catering to individuals who value the freedom to travel on their own terms, to their chosen destinations, in the fastest, safest, and most efficient manner. AltoVolo envisions the Sigma as a personal aircraft for those who appreciate a refined way of living.
AltoVolo is a London-based aerospace startup founded by design engineer Will Wood, whose vision is to democratize private air travel by significantly reducing the cost per passenger mile.
Prior to founding AltoVolo, Wood contributed his expertise in conceptualization and engineering to innovative transport-related products for companies such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Wayve. He also led design for a successful US eVTOL startup in 2024.
[source: AltoVolo]
