Metro Hop’s German division, Metro Hop Technik GmbH, has been awarded a grant from the European Space Agency’s Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC).
Northern California-based aviation startup Metro Hop Inc. now counts itself among the dozens of transformative technology companies that have received grants through ESA BIC Bavaria, one of the most successful incubation centers in Europe.
Since 2017, Metro Hop has been developing an all-electric short takeoff and landing aircraft with a patented Active Landing Gear™ system. The Active Landing Gear is used to accelerate the plane to flight speed on takeoff and decelerate the plane after landing. It also does away with the need for propeller-based ground acceleration and deceleration currently used in conventional planes. The full-size prototype plane can takeoff from a 25-meter rubber roll-out airstrip.
“Metro Hop isn’t looking to reinvent the wheel with the use of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology or an artificial lift envelope,” said Metro Hop CEO and Founder Bruno Mombrinie. “We understand that systems grounded in current technology with novel and practical application allow for greater success, easier development and a clear path to certification. We welcome this vote of confidence from ESA BIC and we very much look forward to working together to get our wings in the air.”
The full-size Metro Hop prototype plane can takeoff from a 25-meter rubber roll-out airstrip.
About the grant
ESA BIC provides a comprehensive support package from financing, mentoring, to research and development. Metro Hop Technik GmbH will have a dedicated office space at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, business and marketing expertise, access to an important worldwide network, and support to create a portable roll-out airstrip to accommodate the prototype airplane that Metro Hop has designed.
With this grant from the European Space Agency, Metro Hop is one step closer to the realization of this transformative, all-electric technology.