Step by step into a sustainable future.

March 13, 2024

Who pilots the Aero2? And how do they learn to fly? Dufour Aerospace’s development of an automated drone system

The Aero2 is Dufour’s innovative unmanned drone. The entry into service product is intended to be automated, allowing an operator to manage the Aero2 mission from a ground station console. We spoke with Daniel Bazzani, Lead Engineer for Flight Test at Dufour Aerospace, to explore how new Dufour Aerospace customers will operate this state-of-the-art drone aircraft.

February 28, 2024

Swiss Alps to be laser scanned by drones; Swiss-Austrian consortium partners for flight tests

A Swiss-Austrian consortium will test large-area laser scanning applications in the Swiss Alps, using innovative drones. The partners are Dufour Aerospace, RIEGL, BSF Swissphoto and the SLF, who will collaborate for a series of test flights over several months.

February 15, 2024

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of WAG Wernli to manufacture composite brackets for Aero2

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce the selection of WAG Wernli AG to manufacture composite brackets. WAG Wernli is a Swiss-based designer and manufacturer of fiber-reinforced plastic molded parts.

February 12, 2024

The powerhouse potential of the Aero2 drone: a hefty payload and maximum versatility

The Aero2’s 40 kilogram payload capacity sparks curiosity. Why such a specific number? What advantages does the Aero2 offer over lighter or heavier drones? To understand, let's consider the world of critical cargo delivery and the unique capabilities of the Aero2.

January 22, 2024

Automated flight: Dufour’s cutting-edge advancements

Jacob Cook comes to Dufour Aerospace from NASA Langley Research Center, where he led the development of modelling and control techniques for NASA’s eVTOL aircraft. At Dufour, he’s our Flight Controls Lead Engineer and specialist in eVTOL aircraft dynamics, control, and automation — where our aircraft are designed to fly missions with less input from the pilot or operator. We sat down with Jacob to talk about automation in eVTOL and on the strides taken by Dufour in this regard.

December 21, 2023

The thousand foot view: Dufour Aerospace 2023 year in review

There's a buzz at Dufour Aerospace's hangar in Dübendorf, near Zurich. All around are Aero2 aircraft, iron birds, a busy team, testing, composite parts, blinking lights, computer displays, and even a famous aviator and astronaut or two. Above all, there’s a palpable energy at Dufour.

December 1, 2023

Welcoming astronaut heroes Claude Nicollier and Thomas Reiter

It's not every day that we get to host figures like Claude Nicollier, Switzerland's first astronaut, and Thomas Reiter, a German space pioneer. Their visit to our headquarters this Tuesday was thrilling for our team, bringing together the worlds of aeronautics and astronautics.

November 23, 2023

There are about 30,000 tilt-wings certified, today. Look around.

Convertible VTOL aircraft are revolutionizing aviation, and tilt-wings are by far the most safe and efficient convertible VTOL aircraft. However, sometimes we come across the misperception that "tilt-wing aircraft are uncertifiable." So we would like to take a moment to show that not only are tilt-wing aircraft fully certifiable, but indeed you may be surprised to learn that you have already flown on a certified tilt-wing aircraft.

November 16, 2023

Dufour Aerospace and Copenhagen Helicopter sign letter of intent

The Danish company Copenhagen Helicopter and their partner Copenhagen AirTaxi - both based at Roskilde Airport - have signed a letter of intent with Dufour Aerospace for a conditional order to purchase the Aero2 UAV for cargo and aerial work and the Aero3 for passenger transportation. The aim is to strengthen their initiatives to introduce environmentally friendly and efficient transportation in Denmark and the neighbouring countries of Germany, Sweden and Norway.

November 8, 2023

Dufour updates Aero1 fully-electric aerobatic aircraft – the perfect test bed for eVTOL aircraft

The beautiful elliptical wings pictured here are reminiscent of the famed Spitfire of yesteryear. But here, it’s the Aero1 – the world’s first all-electric aerobatic aircraft, officially presented to the world in 2016, and a test platform for Dufour Aerospace.

November 1, 2023

Spright receives first Aero2 from Dufour Aerospace

It’s a long way from Zurich to Oregon, but the Dufour Aerospace Aero2 X2.2 demonstrator aircraft recently made the trip. It’s another milestone on this journey with Dufour and U.S.-based drone operator Spright. The pre-production experimental drone was delivered this month to the United States.

October 25, 2023

European Medical Drone signs purchase agreement with Dufour Aerospace

European Medical Drone and Dufour Aerospace today signed a development cooperation and purchase agreement for 11 Aero2 uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft.

October 2, 2023

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Air Energy as partner for battery modules

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that Air Energy has been selected as a supplier for the smart battery packs for the hybrid-electric propulsion system of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.

September 14, 2023

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Plettenberg as partner for the tail thruster propulsion unit of Aero2

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that the German electric propulsion system manufacturer Plettenberg has been selected as a supplier for the tail thruster propulsion unit of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.

September 11, 2023

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Volz Servos as servo partner for Aero2

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that the German electromechanical actuator manufacturer Volz Servos has been selected as a supplier for the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.

September 4, 2023

Dufour Aerospace and 9T Labs collaborate on structural composite connectors for Aero2

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that 9T Labs has been selected as a supplier for structural composite connectors such as brackets and hinges of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.

September 1, 2023

armasuisse S+T engages Dufour Aerospace for design study

The Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse), represented by the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of the Science and Technology branch, has engaged Dufour Aerospace, the Swiss-based tilt-wing aircraft manufacturer, for a design study.

August 10, 2023

Aero2 X2.2 masters full transition from vertical take-off to horizontal cruise; Update on X2.3 Prototype and Certification

On a sunny day in Dübendorf in July 2023, the Dufour Aerospace X2.2 prototype of the uncrewed Aero2 aircraft successfully demonstrated full transition from vertical take-off to horizontal cruise. This is the third prototype from Dufour Aerospace that demonstrates the outstanding aerodynamic qualities of Dufour’s innovative tilt-wing design. And, Spright, the launch customer for Aero2, will soon receive a second X2.2 prototype. This prototype is currently being completed and will undergo tests including system, ground and flight tests. This unit will serve as a demonstrator in the U.S. beginning in October.

July 13, 2023

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Aerolite as partner for composite structural parts

Dufour Aerospace is happy to announce having selected Aerolite AG as main supplier for the lightweight composite structural parts for the nacelles and the tail of the Aero2 aircraft.

June 29, 2023

Dufour Aerospace announces selection of Connova AG as partner for the Composite Airframe of Aero2

Dufour Aerospace is happy to announce that Connova AG has been selected as main supplier for the composite airframe of the uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft Aero2.

June 22, 2023

Retirement in the sun? Time to say goodbye to Dufour's X2.1 prototype

Today, Dufour Aerospace retired the second generation Aero2 prototype – called X2.1 – from flight service.

June 15, 2023

Dufour Aerospace releases final Aero2 design and specifications for innovative tilt-wing drone

Today, Dufour Aerospace, the innovative Swiss eVTOL company, released the final design and design specifications for its Aero2 drone.

June 12, 2023

Not our first rodeo: successful first flight of X2.2 drone prototype

Dufour Aerospace has developed several prototypes of its Aero2 drone. The third generation prototype successfully completed its maiden flight in Dübendorf in June.

May 4, 2023

Innosuisse selects Dufour Aerospace for CHF2.5M (USD$2.8M) grant

Today, Dufour Aerospace announced it was selected by Innosuisse, the innovation agency of the Swiss Confederation, for a grant of CHF2.5M (USD$2.8M).

March 31, 2023

Dufour Aerospace and Suter Industries sign frame contract

This week Dufour Aerospace and Suter Industries signed a frame contract for the next development stage and a significant number of TOA 288 power units for the Aero2 VTOL aircraft.

March 23, 2023

Dufour Aerospace and Swiss Helicopter announce purchase of Aero2 and Aero3 aircraft

Today, Dufour Aerospace, the innovative Swiss eVTOL company, and Swiss Helicopter AG, Switzerland’s leading helicopter company, announced that they have signed a Letter of Intent for the purchase of two Aero2 and one Aero3 tilt-wing aircraft. 

March 22, 2023

Hybrid-electric propulsion for drones and eVTOLs – reasons why

Another milestone in the development of Aero2. In early March, Dufour Aerospace put the hybrid unit, consisting of a two-cylinder engine from Suter Industries, a generator from Plettenberg and our own digital control hardware, into operation for the first time on its own test bench. Some further optimisation and testing work still remains to be done before the drive can then be installed on the Aero2 X2.3 prototype.

January 23, 2023

Dufour Aerospace closes new investment from Vista to accelerate growth

Today, Dufour Aerospace AG announced that it successfully completed a Series B investment from Vista Global Holding Limited (Vista), the world’s leading global private aviation group, further supporting the continued development of sustainable aviation technologies.

December 15, 2022

The Thousand Foot View: Dufour Aerospace 2022 Year in Review

Join us as Dufour Aerospace looks back at the milestones achieved in an intense but rewarding past year – with gains made across design, technology and sales.

November 4, 2022

Spright and Dufour Aerospace announce purchase for up to 140 Aero2 unmanned tilt-wing aircraft

Today, Spright, the drone division of Air Methods, the leading provider of helicopter emergency medical services, and Dufour Aerospace, the innovative Swiss eVTOL company, announced the purchase by Spright of 40 Aero2 with options for additional 100 aircraft.

October 5, 2022

Dufour Aerospace and RUAG to begin cooperation on unmanned aerial vehicles

Dufour Aerospace AG and RUAG AG today announced they will begin cooperation on the development of Aero2. The partnership is intended to develop into a long-term strategic partnership in the field of development, manufacture and maintenance of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and components.

October 3, 2022

Test flights at Dübendorf airfield

In Dübendorf, Dufour Aerospace has not only found the ideal location for carrying out test flights but also the perfect environment to drive innovation.

July 26, 2022

Dufour Aerospace completes successful trials with Elsight's Halo connectivity solution

Elsight and Dufour Aerospace are proud to announce they have successfully completed their first end-to-end drone trials with the Halo drone connectivity solution onboard, in conjunction with Oblivion Aerial.

July 12, 2022

Dufour Aerospace and V-STAR Powered Lift Aviation announce partnership

Dufour Aerospace and V-STAR Powered Lift Aviation have entered a partnership that will give the Australian venture early access to Dufour’s unmanned and manned tilt-wing aircraft.

April 12, 2022

Darren McDonald joins Dufour Aerospace

We are proud to announce that Darren McDonald has joined our team as Head of Quality Control & Production. 

April 6, 2022

Aviation innovator Dufour Aerospace establishes footprint in Montreal, Canada

Dufour Aerospace, an innovative Swiss eVTOL company, is establishing a base of operations in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The company is developing the next generation of eVTOL aircraft, with a focus on the air ambulance market.

April 4, 2022

Dufour Aerospace and Blueberry Aviation enter a long-term commercial partnership

Blueberry Aviation, the global commercial aircraft and helicopter specialists, and Dufour Aerospace, a cutting edge Swiss eVTOL company, have signed a global partnership agreement. Under this agreement Blueberry Aviation will provide marketing advisory and placement support to Dufour Aerospace. Blueberry Aviation will be Dufour’s privileged partner for helicopter trade-in and will set up financial tools to fund or lease Dufour products. In addition, Blueberry Aviation will acquire 100 Aero2 and 100 Aero3 products from Dufour Aerospace.

March 1, 2022

Daniel Bazzani joins Dufour Aerospace

We are proud to announce that Daniel Bazzani has joined our team as Lead Engineer for Flight Test.

January 19, 2022

Pascal Salathé joins Dufour Aerospace

We are pleased to announce that Pascal Salathé has joined Dufour Aerospace as Head of Prototype Assembly.

January 11, 2022

Savback Helicopters to distribute Dufour Aerospace eVTOL aircraft in Scandinavia

Savback Helicopters, the expanding helicopter sales and marketing company and Dufour Aerospace, an innovative Swiss eVTOL company, announced Savback’s appointment as distributor for Dufour’s innovative eVTOL aircraft.

November 4, 2021

Dufour Aerospace launches Aero2 – the “Swiss Army Knife” of small unmanned aircraft

Swiss-based eVTOL development and production company Dufour Aerospace today launched the Aero2 as its first commercially available product in their tilt-wing eVTOL family. Aero2 is designed as amulti-purpose small unmanned aircraft with an unmatched operational flexibility and low operating cost. With a payload of up to 40 kg (88 lbs), a maximum take-off weight of 150 kg (330 lbs) and a maximum flight time of three hours in standard configuration, it is suitable for a wide variety of customer applications.

September 8, 2021

Dufour Aerospace and Swiss Air-Rescue Rega announce development cooperation for innovative Aero3 eVTOL aircraft

Rega and Dufour Aerospace will work together in on-going development of the Aero3, an unprecedented tilt-wing aircraft for patient transport.

August 23, 2021

Philippe Lutz joins Dufour Aerospace

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that Philippe Lutz will be joining the team as Chief Financial Officer.

August 18, 2021

Dufour Aerospace publishes specifications of Aero3, its tilt-wing eVTOL flagship aircraft

The Swiss aircraft development and production company Dufour Aerospace confirms its commitment on the development of a tilt-wing VTOL product family, the flagship product Aero3 featuring a projected cruise speed of 350 km/h (189 knots) and 1020 km (551 nautical miles) range.

June 22, 2021

AirMobility Inc. and Dufour Aerospace sign distribution agreement for eVTOL in Japan

AirMobility Inc. of Japan signed a distribution agreement with Dufour Aerospace concerning eVTOL products of the Switzerland based aircraft manufacturer.

April 22, 2021

Dufour Aerospace receives funding from session.vc and existing investors to accelerate growth

March 31, 2021

Sascha Hardegger joins Dufour Aerospace

Dufour Aerospace is pleased to announce that Sascha Hardegger will join the team as Chief Commercial Officer.

November 7, 2020

eVTOL safety from an operational perspective

Electric aircraft are here, and they are changing aviation as we know it. What is their contribution to safety?

October 14, 2020

Dufour releases on-board video of full transition flight with audio

This research platform has not been optimized for noise emissions. Nonetheless, we think it is interesting to hear the character of the noise it produces, and we would like to share some footage of a full transition flight with audio.

September 1, 2020

Thomas Seiler joins Dufour Aerospace

We are proud to announce that Thomas Seiler has joined Dufour Aerospace as a Lead Engineer.

July 6, 2020

Simon Bendrey joins Dufour Aerospace

Simon Bendrey brings broad experience in designing, developing and certifying various categories of aircraft as Head of Design to Dufour Aerospace.

June 17, 2020

Manuel Flepp joins Dufour Aerospace

Manuel Flepp has joined Dufour Aerospace to lead the development of the composite structure of aEro 3 as a Lead Engineer.

February 3, 2020

IMD Startup Competition: Dufour Aerospace among winners

Dufour Aerospace is proud that the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has selected us as one of the winners of their 22nd annual Startup Competition.

October 3, 2019

Dufour Aerospace opens technology office in Zurich

Dufour Aerospace establishes a technology office in Zurich. As the area is home to a number of major technology companies and university institutions, it was a natural choice.

April 3, 2019

Tilt-wing aircraft control

We have been working with David Rohr and the ETH Autonomous Systems Lab to demonstrate high-level control of a scale model tilt-wing aircraft. He has recently published the results.

March 18, 2019

Dufour Aerospace selected amongst Bilan top 50 startups 2019

The Swiss business magazine Bilan has selected Dufour Aerospace amongst its top 50 Swiss startups to invest in 2019.

February 27, 2019

Our vision for Regional Air Mobility

Dufour Aerospace's CTO Jasmine Kent argues that over the next decade eVTOL aircraft will be most valuable for personal transport between cities, not within them. We call this "Regional Air Mobility" or RAM.

September 5, 2018

Dufour aEro 2 Design Philosophy

Thomas Pfammatter, CEO of Dufour Aerospace, explains Dufour Aerospaces's approach towards sustainable advanced air mobility with the aEro 2 design philosophy.

March 7, 2018

Dufour Aerospace announces the aEro 2 hybrid electric VTOL aircraft

Dufour Aerospace today announced the development of their latest aircraft, the aEro 2. The aircraft will have vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability and incorporate a modular hybrid-electric power system.

October 15, 2016

Hamilton aEro 1 officially presented

Hamilton aEro 1 is officially presented to the audience. We are proud to show our aircraft in flight and on ground after an intense testing time on ground and in air.

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ABOUT:
With over 30 years of experience in Swiss commercial helicopter operations, we understand the real world requirements of VTOL aircraft. Our engineering team with years of aircraft construction experience is building aircrafts for rugged operations in harsh environments. Our patented combination of proven aerodynamic concepts with the latest technology makes our aircraft rock solid with unparalleled performance.