Textron eAviation has announced that flyExclusive will become the first member of its new Customer Advisory Board for development of Textron eAviation’s Nexus eVTOL aircraft, having agreed to provide input on operator, pilot and passenger preferences to inform development of the Nexus.

flyExclusive will leverage its customer knowledge to provide feedback to the Nexus team on optimal cockpit and cabin experience and will continue to gain valuable insights in sustainable, advanced air mobility.

Textron eAviation president and CEO Rob Scholl said: “The Nexus eVTOL is designed to offer customers sustainably powered mobility and flexibility in a variety of locations and missions.

“Our collaboration with flyExclusive demonstrates our focus on further developing the product and ensuring it delivers an exceptional customer experience. As we begin the building of our first eVTOL prototype aircraft, flyExclusive’s input will be important as we finalise our aircraft design and as the technology and market evolve over the coming years.”

flyExclusive president Tommy Sowers added: “This appointment reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and to furthering our long-standing partnership with Textron.

“As one of the largest operators of Cessna Citations, our decades of experience and deep respect for the talented individuals at Textron, we are eager to bring our unique perspective to the table and collaborate on designing the future of flight to provide superior service and experience for our customers. It is the beginning of an exciting journey to redefine how we connect with the world.”

The Nexus eVTOL is designed to serve a range of purposes, including for the passenger transport, cargo, and emergency medical services markets. As the Nexus program continues to advance, flyExclusive and Textron eAviation expect to explore opportunities to collaborate on marketing and trade shows as well as work with regulatory authorities and public acceptance of Advanced Air Mobility platforms.

Last month, Textron eAviation started wind tunnel testing to support the development of Nexus to validate the performance, stability, and control of the vehicle design to confirm preliminary configuration, range, and speed estimates, as well as how the rotors interact with the vehicle aerodynamics for all phases of flight, including VTOL, transition, and cruise.