Electric helicopters that fly like planes could be the future of zero emissions air travel, with Dubbo recently getting in on the "ground floor" of the new technology after an agreement with the developers of the innovative aircraft.

Australian green aerospace company, AMSL Aero, has partnered with Dubbo Regional Council to establish an outdoor flight test facility at the small Bodangora Airstrip outside of Wellington.

AMSL Aero claims its Vertiia vehicle is the "world’s most efficient and long range zero emissions electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft" and has begun conducting experimental flight tests at the airport with a goal of achieving certification before starting production by 2026.

AMSL Aero recently completed its maiden test flight of the Vertiia, the first by an Australian-designed and built eVTOL.

The innovative aircraft takes off and lands like a helicopter, but flies forward like a plane.

The developers claim that the Vertiia will be able to fly up to 1000km, three times the range of other eVTOL; will produce zero carbon emissions, and be able to carry four passengers and a pilot at a cruising speed of about 300km/h.

AMSL Aero CEO and Vertiia inventor, Andrew Moore, said that the agreement will help make the new aircraft a viable alternative to current technology so much faster.

“We are extremely grateful to Dubbo Regional Council and mayor Mathew Dickerson for supporting the development of Vertiia as we move forward with our flight testing at pace," he said.

"To be certified, Vertiia will meet equivalent safety levels to commercial airliners – one event in a billion flight hours – which is the safest form of transport available today. The site at Bodangora meets our needs perfectly, as we press on with our mission to decarbonise air transport,” he added.

Cr Dickerson said that Council is excited to welcome AMSL Aero to the area to be able to utilise the small airport about 15 minutes from Wellington.

“It is great to be able to offer AMSL Aero an outdoor lab for air mobility technology, which is making significant progress," he said.

"Bodangora is the perfect place for this type of testing because it is private, away from residential areas, and meets all the regulations that are in place through CASA," he added.

He said that having the airport between a wind farm and solar farm in the Central West Renewable Energy Zone meant that Bodangora lends itself to being a testing site for a zero-carbon emission Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

"Council has committed to making Bodangora a multi-use facility as it is currently utilised by aircraft, drag racing and now as an outdoor testing site for AMSL Aero,” Cr Dickerson said.