South Africa-based Pegasus Universal Aerospace, producer of the Vertical Business Jet (VBJ) Pegasus One, has named Robbie Irons as its chief executive officer. In this new role, Irons will help lead product development and lend strategic support to founder and chairman Dr Reza Mia as the business seeks to secure investment.

This appointment coincides with confirmation that a series of prospective investor evenings are to be scheduled for September through to November this year, initially in Johannesburg. Further opportunities to invest in the programme, online, will be available for potential investors based nationally within South Africa and internationally.

Irons brings decades of solid international aviation experience to the Johannesburg-based start-up, spanning senior roles with ExecuJet in Lanseria in both business development and aircraft sales. He took responsibility for the firm's aircraft sales activity in Africa in 2009.

Having forged relationships with HNWIs, senior industry personalities, presidents and ministers across the continent, in 2012 he established a consultancy firm, Irons Aviation, specialising in turn-key aviation solutions and infrastructure projects. He helped entrepreneurs Nicky and Jonathan Oppenheimer develop and implement South Africa's first exclusive VVIP FBO facility, Fireblade Aviation, at OR Tambo International airport, becoming a board director of the firm in 2013. He also helped independent, exclusive Bombardier sales representative Liftec, active in 10 regions, establish a new territory in Africa.

“As general aviation evolves, I am excited to become actively involved with the innovative Pegasus One,” says Irons, and Reza adds: “I am delighted Robbie has agreed to come on board. Having him as a partner is a major asset.”

Work has started to build a full-scale VTOL demonstrator to show in Europe in 2020.

The all-composite airframe Pegasus One is being targeted for completion within 18 to 24 months of FAA certification from the Johannesburg facility. Options to establish alternate full production facilities are also being explored in the USA and/or Europe.

Pegasus One is designed to deliver speed, comfort and style to travellers looking for transportation between busy urban airports, small and unpaved landing areas, yachts and regular helipads. Other applications include serving the oil and gas industry and medevac.

Pegasus is targeting a 4,400 km range from runway take-off or 2,124 km in VTOL with a planned cruise speed of 796 km per hour. The aircraft will feature six to eight seats with power provided by two 2,300 shp turboshaft engines.

Pegasus Universal has identified a customer base that spans the civil and executive aerospace sectors, offering operational benefits unlike any other aircraft. Along with Europe, the US, India and China are key markets as the VBJ does not require new airports and runways to be built.

The company is close to identifying key suppliers for avionics, its retractable landing gear and the engines that will be the best fit for its highly evolved control systems and automation sub-systems.

Depending on take-off option, VTOL or runway, Pegasus One will be able to fly for three and a half to six hours, supporting direct, point-to-point travel. The operational costs are competitive when compared with jets of similar range, with lower fuel burn and less CO2 emissions thanks to its necessarily light-weight construction. The noise levels are lower than comparative rotary machines, and the company says that passenger and pilot comfort, security and safety are all integral to the design. The lack of rotor tip vortices that give helicopters their distinctive beating noise will be a welcome change to people close to helipads and landing sites.

Pegasus estimates it will spend around US$500 million to bring the aircraft to market.