Nova Minerals set to benefit from RotorX Aircraft Manufacturing Company's move to enter the electric air taxi market

Nova Minerals Ltd’s (OTCMKTS:NVAAF) (ASX:NVA) (FRA:QM3) strategic investment in RotorX Aircraft Manufacturing Company (RX) is entering the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi market with its RX eTransporter helicopter.  The resources company, which is set to benefit from the development and growth of RX through its 9.9% interest in the company, also plans to use these aircraft at its flagship Estelle Gold Project to achieve its path to production.  Described as a ‘game-changer’ in the mining industry, the patent-pending RX eTransporter is dramatically more efficient and less expensive than all other eVTOL concepts being proposed or developed.  RX is working in collaboration with its partner company Advanced Tactics Inc (AT) of Torrance, California, which works with the US Air Force on two current contracts related to the RX eTransporter.  Benefit massively from RotorX Nova Minerals chief executive officer Christopher Gerteisen said: “As Nova develops the large 4.7Moz Korbel gold deposit whilst unlocking the greater Estelle Gold district, we must see and understand technologies and their potential application in our business quicker, more clearly and what it means for sustainability more so than years gone by, supported by incremental developments that transform our underlying exploration and mining processes from potential to application in the shortest possible timeframe to drive rapid growth. “This is one of many such applications we at Nova believe in. “Innovation is in the DNA of the likes of Amazon, Google and Tesla and we are pleased to have RotorX pick this innovation up for us while we can maintain our focus on our core of developing our gold asset. “As a 9.9% shareholder in RotorX, Nova is positioned to benefit massively from the development and growth of RotorX, as well at our flagship Estelle Gold Project as we employ these perfectly designed aircraft to achieve our objectives on our path to production.” Civilian and industrial use RX, the makers of the Rotor X Phoenix A600 Turbo helicopter, renowned as the world’s most affordable and reliable two-seat kit helicopter, has now developed a four-rotor (or quad-rotor) helicopter named the RX eTransporter. It is the first of its kind for civilian and industrial use. This six-passenger helicopter provides plenty of leg room and comfortable charter-jet type interiors, and the open-interior version is ideal for air taxi operations, package delivery, search and rescue, personnel recovery, and MEDEVAC operations. FAA air worthiness testing Typical eVTOL air taxi aircraft use small inefficient propellers for vertical lift, have very complex and expensive geometries, complex engine drive-systems and tilt-mechanisms, inefficient wings, and less payload capacity – even with the extensive use of expensive carbon-fiber construction. The RX eTransporter will be the world’s most efficient and cost-effective helicopter for civilian use. Instead of relying on a large wing to make the aircraft more efficient after take-off, the RX eTransporter uses a smaller wing that only enhances the natural lift of this helicopter. It does not require a tail rotor, which can cause catastrophic loss of control in a conventional helicopter, and this also greatly increases the efficiency of the RX eTransporter. The RX eTransporter can take off and land vertically and fly for over 1.5 hours, or hover for over 45 minutes on a single charge compared to current eVTOL’s that can only hover for a few minutes before needing to land. The RX Transporter and RX eTransporter are also safer than conventional helicopters because of their multiple-independent-engine design. All transporter-type aircraft can continue flying or land with one engine out, which dramatically increases the options for achieving a safe landing. Having this outstanding eVTOL hovering capability makes the RX eTransporter ideal for commercial cargo and personnel flights immediately after completing FAA air worthiness testing next year. Game changer for mining industry The RX eTransporter will start testing in Alaska as an experimental aircraft during the summer of 2022. Mining companies have shown strong interest in purchasing the aircraft to carry mining equipment in the rugged terrain of the Alaska Range. As the growing mining operation expands, the RX eTransporter helicopter would greatly reduce costs.  The new battery and quick charging systems are also uniquely adapted to cold weather operations. Across the mining industry, drones are already demonstrating exceptional results by enabling much greater data collection, enhanced safety and improved productivity. The heavy-lift RX eTransporter, which can be made in a pilot-optional version and still carry over a ton of cargo, would be a game-changer for the mining industry. That capability will support essential tasks like fuel delivery, rig transportation, spare parts delivery, dust control and core-sample transport. This capability will improve productivity and operational safety, while lowering logistics costs by a third. Mining companies are already showing serious interest in purchasing or leasing the RX Transporter and RX eTransporter helicopters as soon as they become commercially available next year. Commercial air taxi certification RX’s partner company, AT, is working on developing this type of multi-engine rotorcraft for the US Military through two contracts under the US Air Force AFWERX program, part of the US Air Force Agility Prime program. This revolutionary program is focused on bringing the most advanced air transportation systems with the greatest efficiency to the Department of Defense. Through a partnership with AT, RX will make civilian versions of the aircraft being developed for the US Air Force. The eVTOL air taxi is its goal. RX is seeking FAA air worthiness certification later this year, and plans to have the first flight in the Fall of 2021, with expected commercial FAA air taxi certification by the Fall of 2024.