Dr Adriano Di Pietro named Chief Executive Officer at AMSL Aero
AMSL Aero has appointed Dr Adriano Di Pietro as its new Chief Executive Officer, as the company moves toward the next stage of developing and commercialising its hydrogen-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Vertiia.
Dr Di Pietro will be responsible for overseeing the company's growth, the progression of Vertiia toward certification, and preparations for its international market launch. Vertiia, designed to operate using hydrogen power, is intended to deliver zero-emissions aircraft capabilities, functioning as both a vertical take-off aircraft like a helicopter and a fixed-wing plane during flight.
Appointment and background
Dr Di Pietro previously served as Director of the Aerospace Innovation Research Hub at Swinburne University and was CEO (Interim) at the Australian Air Mobility Cooperative Research Centre (AAMCRC). His experience spans nearly two decades across the aerospace, automotive, defence and autonomous systems sectors in Australia, the United States and Europe. His academic credentials include a PhD in advanced aerospace manufacturing technology and an engineering degree.
In his recent roles, Dr Di Pietro focused on advanced air mobility, zero-emission hydrogen-powered flight, and the growth of Australia's uncrewed air systems and manufacturing industries. He also held notable positions at XTEK, Zoox, and Quickstep Technologies, contributing to commercialisation and technology strategy for aerospace and defence applications.
Vertiia development milestones
AMSL Aero successfully achieved a milestone in November 2024, completing untethered horizontal flight tests of its eVTOL aircraft. These tests highlighted Vertiia's design as the first eVTOL developed from the outset for hydrogen-powered long-range and heavy-lift operations. The company is now working on a second full-scale prototype and is preparing for its inaugural hydrogen-powered flight test programme.
The next phase for AMSL Aero includes seeking certification for Vertiia from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), expanding manufacturing capabilities, and targeting commercial growth both in Australia and internationally. The company reports a robust pipeline of forward orders for the aircraft.
Comments from AMSL Aero leadership
"I am delighted that Adriano has chosen to join AMSL Aero. His deep technical expertise and industry leadership make him uniquely suited to lead the team into our next growth phase as we move towards hydrogen flight testing," said Co-Founder and Board Director Andrew Moore.
"I am excited to join AMSL Aero. I believe in the company's bold vision to revolutionise air mobility through accessible zero-emissions technology. AMSL has a world-class team that's not only redefining the future of aviation but building a cleaner, faster, and more connected regional transportation system, something that's vital to Australia's economic resilience, accessibility, and future prosperity," said Dr Di Pietro.
Chair Chris Smallhorn added, "After a highly competitive search, we are thrilled to welcome Adriano. His track record in scaling aerospace technology ventures will be instrumental in the next phase of development with our second full-scale prototype, maintaining our position as a global leader in zero-emission aviation. He will lead our growing team of more than 65 talented and passionate engineers and aviation experts as we bring Vertiia's affordable, zero-emission, long-range, point-to-point aviation capabilities to Australia and the world."
Technical and operational details
Vertiia is designed as a hybrid long-range, zero-emissions VTOL aircraft, with features that allow for both vertical take-off and landing, and efficient horizontal flight. The aircraft can cruise at speeds of up to 300 km/h and, when powered by hydrogen, has a range of up to 1,000 km. The initial model will be certified for piloted flight, with provisions for future autonomous operations.
The aircraft aims to offer operational costs comparable to short-range airliners, with the additional benefit of being able to operate from locations without the need for a runway. Vertiia's design allows for multiple configurations, including use as a light air ambulance, or for carrying up to four passengers plus pilot, or freight. The aircraft also features eight electric motors, a unique wing tilting mechanism, and can operate from small landing sites such as helipads.
Intellectual property for Vertiia's design and systems is protected by international patents. The company indicates the aircraft has potential applications connecting regional hubs and providing on-demand air transport services, which could reduce excess capacity compared to scheduled flights.
Dr Di Pietro begins his role as CEO at AMSL Aero in early July 2025, overseeing a team of more than 65 engineers and aviation specialists as development progresses.
