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AltoVolo Releases Sigma Footage & Sets Date For Demonstrator
AltoVolo has released prototype flight footage and says it has completed a preliminary design review, with a full-scale demonstrator due by end-2026.
AltoVolo released flight footage of its Sigma prototype aircraft today and said it has completed preliminary design work, with a full-scale demonstrator targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
The two-seat hybrid-electric aircraft uses a tilting open-rotor propulsion system. AltoVolo calls the configuration HyperTOL — short for Hybrid Performance Takeoff and Landing.
The company said the preliminary design review is now complete, production aircraft details have been locked, and work has moved into detailed engineering and certification. The full-scale demonstrator is intended to support a manufacturing readiness review, though AltoVolo has not disclosed a build location or capital requirement for that phase.
AltoVolo also revealed that it has appointed a Head of Certification, and said the company has recruited aerospace personnel with experience on complex aircraft programs. AltoVolo says it is targeting full type certification and is engaging with certification requirements as the design moves into detailed engineering.
The Sigma’s open-rotor design has replaced an earlier electric ducted fan configuration following a study of performance, certification, and commercialization factors. The change is said to double hover time. Performance figures cited include a 165 mph cruise speed, 220 mph top speed, 500-mile hybrid range, 250-mile electric-only range, 45-minute hover endurance, 270 kg payload, and a maximum takeoff weight of 980 kg. Estimated takeoff noise runs between 65 and 70 dB(A) at 100 meters.
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AltoVolo noted that Sport Pilot certificate holders should be able to operate the Sigma with 25 hours of training, largely limited to fair-weather and daylight conditions. According to the company, license restriction has partly driven the two-seat rather than three-seat configuration.
The company’s funding round remains open; terms and investor details were not disclosed. AltoVolo said it plans to announce exhibition appearances in the coming weeks but gave no dates or locations.
Founder Will Wood previously led design at an unnamed US eVTOL startup in 2024. The company also cites earlier work supporting Aston Martin, Ferrari, and autonomous vehicle firm Wayve.