Deepinder Goyal’s LAT Aerospace Validates Short Take-Off Capability, Aircraft Crashes Later

Deepinder Goyal-backed aviation venture LAT Aerospace conducted the maiden test flight of ‘Lat One v0.1’ and claimed to have achieved uSTOL (ultra short take-off and landing). 

The Eternal founder took to X to make the announcement. “uSTOL achieved. Achievement unlocked,” he said.

As per his post, the plane crashed a bit later due to uncertain structural defects. “The plane crashed a bit later, which we knew was going to happen, and our simulations had already suggested so, due to structural defects,” Goyal said. 

The main objective of the test flight was to test uSTOL, which was achieved, he added.

The startup is now working on ‘Lat One v0.2’, with a vision of completing a mission. Highlighting the challenges ahead, Goyal said that making a plane take off is only 20% of the problem. “Making it land safely is where the work lies.” 

LAT Aerospace was founded by former Zomato COO Surabhi Das last year to build a network of high-frequency, low-cost, 24-seater, short take-off and landing, medium-haul aircraft. Goyal is a non-executive cofounder and an investor in the startup.

LAT Aerospace’s Flying Taxi Ambitions

In a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, Goyal said that LAT Aerospace is focusing on building small aircraft, which would be capable of taking-off and landing in 15-20 metres, to facilitate short-distance travel without the airport hassle. 

“It is a very ambitious long-term research project,” Goyal said. 

He shared that the idea took shape after he and Das were forced to spend five to six hours on short-distance travel despite taking flights. 

“If I am ending up spending the same amount of time while travelling by road and airspace – it is senseless. Why can’t I have a small airport near my place, which facilitates 6 to 15 seater flights and lands wherever I want to land instead of airport-to-airport connectivity?” he said.

The Eternal CEO said that if the venture is successful, it might result in cities getting decongested as people can commute easily to their offices from a distant place as well, resulting in distribution of people, economy, and wealth. 

Notably, LAT Aerospace raised $20 Mn last year. Talking about the fundraise, Goyal said that the startup has a commitment of $50 Mn funding, of which $25 Mn has been committed by him and the rest by a host of investors. 

“As of now, the company has consumed $20 Mn worth of funds, out of which I infused $10 Mn,” he added. 

Besides LAT Aerospace, Goyal is working on several new ventures, including biological research initiative Continue Research and a wearable device company called Temple.

The Eternal founder made headlines last week after defending the gig economy model on social media following a strike called by a gig workers’ union on December 31.