Company Information

Founded by Dr. Rafi Yoeli, UrbanAero has established an early lead in developing a compact VTOL vehicle with no exposed rotors that is tailored to meet FAA requirements for powered lift vehicles and also capable of flying and operating inside complex urban and natural environments.

With over 25 years experience in aerospace research and development, Dr. Yoeli has assembled a world-class team, which works with him to realize his vision for developing one of the last areas of aviation remaining to be pioneered: “Rotorless” Vertical Take Off & Landing aircraft.

UrbanAero's long-range vision is to become the world leader in intra-urban aviation and to develop, manufacture and market a family of revolutionary, FAA certifiable and military urban aerial aircraft. The current focus of the company is the AirMule Unmanned Cargo Resupply and CasEvac aircraft for military use. Additionally, manned Fancraft variants (Centaur and X-Hawk are in development).

It is anticipated the initial implementation for civilian and manned Fancraft will be mainly for urban rescue and medical evacuation. The design, however, allows for tailor-made modifications that adapt the aircraft to an unlimited variety of tasks. Examples include utility work (i.e. power line maintenance or bridge inspection), civil policing and intra-urban or ship-to-shore taxi service, to name just a few.
 

Of 62 U.S. and worldwide patents that have been applied for, 21 have already been granted. UrbanAero is continuously improving and updating patents and strengthening its IP assets. UrbanAero’s Fancraft designs represent the aggregation and integration of cutting edge technologies that include highly modified ducted fans, controls, stability systems, fly-by-wire technology, advanced composites and a low acoustic signature. These proprietary technologies represent a significant barrier to entry for competing companies.
 

 

UrbanAero is in search of partners who are either capable of supplying components, or of assisting in lobbying for, manufacturing, and marketing the final product.

Currently, UrbanAero is in advanced negotiations with leading aerospace companies concerning terms of cooperation for strategic partnerships.
 

Dr. Rafi Yoeli – Founder and CEO: Dr. Yoeli is widely recognized as a leading authority in the field of VTOL aircraft development. He was previously the founder and Managing Director of AD&D, Ltd. (Aero Design & Development), a group leader at Israel Aircraft Industries, and a Senior Engineer at Boeing Aircraft. He serves as a reserve officer in the Israeli Air Force.

Mike Turgeman – Chief Engineer: Mr. Turgeman began his career at the Technion Jet Propulsion Laboratory where he worked on the development of various unmanned prototypes of post stall thrust vectored aircrafts. Later he became a senior engineer and head of the flight mechanics and control group of AD&D. In 1996, Mr. Turgeman established Bartan Technologies, Ltd., which is involved among other things in R&D for VTOL unmanned vehicles for the Israeli Ministry of Defense and other organizations. Mr. Turgeman holds a BSc and MSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Technion.

Mr. Ely Erenthal – Flight Control System Specialist: Mr. Erenthal has 35 years of experience in Preliminary design of Aircraft and UAVs, Aerodynamics and Flight Control Systems development and Certification. He was responsible for the LAVI fighter FBW Flight Control System development and for the Zahavan/Pioneer UAV's Flight Control and ATOL Systems development. He held positions at Israel Aerospace Industries as Head of Flight Sciences Engineering, Head of Optronics and Navigation Engineering and as Program Manager for F-5 Avionics Upgrade for Turkey, IAI Strategic UAV and IAI Advanced/Basic Trainer in cooperation with ATG (USA company). Mr. Erenthal holds Bsc and Msc degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Technion and MBA from Boston University.

Mr. Shahar Avneri – Aerospace engineer: Mr. Avneri has 15 years of experience in the aerospace industry, working on both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Prior to joining Urban Aeronautics he worked at the Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) BEDEK Aircraft Division as a systems design engineer. Mr. Avneri began his career in aerospace as an aircraft mechanic in the private sector, performing miscellaneous projects ranging from routine maintenance of various aircraft types to high- end warbird restoration. Mr. Avneri is an FAA licensed A&P mechanic, and holds a BSc in Mechanical engineering from the Tel-Aviv University.
 

Mr. Ovadia Harari – Chairman: Mr. Harari’s career spans more than three decades at Israel Aircraft Industries from which he recently retired after nearly 10 years as the company’s Executive VP and COO. Mr. Harari began his career at IAI as a preliminary design engineer and subsequently fulfilled numerous roles at the company including Director of Aeronautical Sciences and Preliminary Design, Chief Engineer and Project Manager for the LAVI fighter aircraft and Corporate VP and General Manager of the military aircraft group. Mr. Harari is a two time recipient of the Israel Defense Prize and laureate of the Israel Prize for Engineering and Technology. Mr. Harari has a B Sc. and M Sc. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Technion in Haifa, Israel.

Dr. Rafi Yoeli – Director: (see key personnel)

Maj. Gen. (ret.) David Ivry – Observer: Formerly Commander of the Israeli Air Force and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Mr. Ivry went on to serve as Principal Assistant Minister of Defense for Strategic Affairs and Director-General of the Ministry of Defense as well as Israel’s National Security Advisor, Head of the National Security Council and Israel's Ambassador to the United States.

Lt. Col. (Res.) Eran Ron – Director: From 1978 to 1986, Mr. Ron served as a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force. From 1991 to 1994 he served as a diplomat in the Israeli Foreign Ministry. His last posting was as deputy director of the Israeli consulate-general in Istanbul-Turkey. Since 1995 he has been a CEO and manager in several companies and currently owns and manages Ish-Or Management Ltd. He is also a founding partner in Eshkol, Gaberman, Ron, a mediation and dispute arbitration firm.
 

Mr. Roger Abravanel – Director: Mr. Abravanel joined McKinsey & Co. in 1972 and has enjoyed a distinguished career there for more than 30 years. He initially joined the Paris office and, after stints in Mexico and Tokyo, joined the Italian office where he remains a member of the leadership group overseeing the Mediterranean Practice. He became a Prinicpal in 1979 and a Director in 1984. During his tenure at McKinsey Mr. Abravanel has advised the top management of more than 100 global, private and listed corporations. Currently, Mr. Abravanel is also an advisor to VC and buyout funds including Markstone and Wanaka and sits on the boards of a number of major corporations in both Italy and Israel, including Teva, Luxottica, Marazzi and BNP-BNL. Mr. Abravanel holds a BSc in chemical engineering from Milan’s Politecnic University and an MBA from INSEAD in Paris.

Mr. Zivi Nedivi – Director: Mr. Nedivi has an extensive background in the fields of defense, aerospace and investment. While serving in the Israel Air Force as an F-15 pilot he was a consultant to Israel Aircraft Industries for the Lavi fighter program. He completed his service with the rank of Major. Following the IAF, Mr. Nedivi was the General Manager of Maakav Ltd., representing U.S. aerospace companies in the Israeli market. He was the CEO and President of both Kellstrom Industries and Kellstrom Aerospace in Miramar, Florida. He was formerly the CEO of Axiom Investment Advisors and continues as a senior advisor to the company. In addition, Mr. Nedivi serves as a director in a number of companies. Mr. Nedivi is a graduate of the Israel Air Force Academy and also holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.

Mr. Yitzchak D. Traeger – Director: Mr. Traeger has 36 years of business development, marketing, technical and administrative experience in both Israel and the USA. He is currently the Assistant Director of Sales at Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) BEDEK Aircraft Division, and was the IAI BEDEK Certification Manager for the B747-400 Conversion to Special Freighter and the Director of Marketing and Business Development at IAI MATA Division. He has worked for Northrop Grumman as an Aerodynamics Group Manager and in various positions at IAI since 1970. Mr. Traeger holds a BA in Aeronautics and Astronautics from New York University and a MSc. in Aeronautical Engineering from the Technion.