Month: December 2022
ZeroAvia to start next phase of hydrogen-electric test flights
The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted a permit to fly for ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 aircraft, which has been retrofitted with its prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain. ZeroAvia secured the permit to fly following an extensive ground testing campaign and a rigorous review of the full development program. It means that ZeroAvia, the leader in zero-emission aviation, can now begin the...

ZeroAvia to start next phase of hydrogen-electric test flights

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted a permit to fly for ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 aircraft, which has been retrofitted with its prototype hydrogen-electric powertrain. ZeroAvia secured the permit to fly following an extensive ground testing campaign and a rigorous review of the full development program.
It means that ZeroAvia, the leader in zero-emission aviation, can now begin the first test flights of its 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain. The 19-seat twin-engine aircraft has been retrofitted in an engineering testbed configuration to incorporate ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engine powering the propellor on its left wing, operating alongside a single Honeywell TPE-331 stock engine on the right for appropriate redundancy to allow the safe testing of the novel propulsion technology.
The test flights are set to be a landmark achievement for ZeroAvia and the HyFlyer II project, a major R&D program backed by the UK Government’s ATI Programme, which targets the development of a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain for 9-19 seat aircraft.
For this testing program, ZeroAvia has worked with the CAA in meeting a far more stringent set of requirements when compared to the E-Conditions framework ZeroAvia had used for its 6-seat prototype in 2020. Part 21 is an industry-standard term used to describe the regulatory approval of aircraft design and production organizations, and the certification of products, parts, and appliances for aircraft. Securing this permit to fly is a significant milestone in ZeroAvia’s path towards commercialization.
Val Miftakhov, Founder & CEO of ZeroAvia said: “Earning our full Part 21 permit to fly with the CAA is a critical milestone as we develop a zero-emission aviation propulsion system that will be the most environmental and economical solution to the industry’s climate impact. We’re going to be starting 2023 in the best way possible, by demonstrating through flight that true zero-emission commercial flight is much closer than many think.”
It will pave the way for a commercially certifiable configuration for ZA600 to be submitted by the end of 2023, ahead of delivering powertrains for the first commercial routes for 9-19 seat aircraft to commence by 2025. With 1,500 engines under pre-order, partnerships with seven aircraft manufacturers and multiple fuel and airport partnerships, ZeroAvia is well positioned to lead the industry’s transformation to a clean future.
When test flights begin in January, ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 testbed is expected to become the largest aircraft to ever fly using a hydrogen-electric powertrain.
Why it’s important: ZeroAvia has closed off 2022 by securing a Part 21 permit to fly its retrofitted Dornier 228 from the Civil Aviation Authority, following successful ground-testing campaign. This is a key milestone that paves the way for pioneering test flights of 19-seat testbed to begin in early 2023.
Altaport Launches Vertiport Ground Operations Integration Software
Salt Lake City, UT based Altaport shared on December 20th the completion of their vertiport automation system (VAS) platform which will facilitate the future of travel by automating ground infrastructure operations at airports, heliports, and vertiports. Altaport’s platform controls a range of activities on behalf of ground infrastructure managers, including resource management and scheduling, ground movement safety monitoring, passenger management,...

Altaport Launches Vertiport Ground Operations Integration Software

Salt Lake City, UT based Altaport shared on December 20th the completion of their vertiport automation system (VAS) platform which will facilitate the future of travel by automating ground infrastructure operations at airports, heliports, and vertiports. Altaport’s platform controls a range of activities on behalf of ground infrastructure managers, including resource management and scheduling, ground movement safety monitoring, passenger management, and fee collection.

Altaport was launched within the Philo Ventures startup studio and was co-founded by former Airbus and Google employees who saw the need to prepare today’s ground infrastructure for the future of high-volume eVTOL and cargo drone traffic.
Altaport’s offering from their most recent press release is “a robust, interoperable vertiport operating and communications system” which will be crucial to manage a high amount of interactions between vertiports and operators, as outlined in NASA’s July 2021 report titled “Vertiport Automation Software Architecture and Requirements.”
Altaport’s platform both reflects and builds upon the system outlined in NASA’s VAS whitepaper. “We’ve spent more than a decade building and launching operations that are highly reflective of what future AAM operations will look like, giving us unique insight into the challenges and opportunities that such operations present,” said Cozzens. “The Altaport team has combined the learnings from those experiences with the technical standards established by the industry to date to build the leading vertiport automation platform. When the first eVTOLs begin commercial operations, Altaport will be prepared to serve landing locations around the world.”
Altaport’s platform is currently used at numerous major heliports throughout Brazil, playing an important role in the development of tomorrow’s AAM landing network. This early deployment should allow Altaport to fine tune their platform prior to usage at an even larger scale.
Why it’s important: Altaport’s platform provides a third party solution to ground operations management at future vertiports, as well as existing airports and heliports. Altaport’s value proposition would certainly streamline vertiport operations, but it’s unclear to what degree competitors in the industry (both OEM’s and vertiport infrastructure specialists) will tune their IP development focus toward. Altaport could eventually be jockeying for market share amongst a mixed bag of vertically and horizontally integrated vertiport operations management solutions. For now, Altaport has a near first-mover advantage as a third party service.
Learn more about Altaport at altaport.com
AIR ONE Achieves Transition Flight
The AIR ONE, a two-seat eVTOL capable of flying up to 100 miles on all-electric power, has officially completed its first flight in which it transitioned from hover to forward cruise. This is a major milestone for the company, as it proves out the aircraft’s designed capabilities as a personal aerial mobility vehicle. On December 18th, the Israeli startup AIR...

AIR ONE Achieves Transition Flight

The AIR ONE, a two-seat eVTOL capable of flying up to 100 miles on all-electric power, has officially completed its first flight in which it transitioned from hover to forward cruise. This is a major milestone for the company, as it proves out the aircraft’s designed capabilities as a personal aerial mobility vehicle.

On December 18th, the Israeli startup AIR announced that its prototype eVTOL successfully took off vertically, loaded at full capacity (550lbs), and then transitioned to its normal cruising speed using its main wing for lift.
According to a recent press release from the company, this milestone was reached just five months after completing successful hover flight testing in August of 2022, keeping the company on track to deliver the first batch of its of production AIR ONE’s for personal ownership in late 2024.
“It is thrilling to have reached this moment in our journey as we strive to build the foundation to make personal air mobility a reality,” said Rani Plaut, CEO and co-founder of AIR. “AIR is incredibly proud to play a role in the global Advanced Aerial Mobility movement, and we’re looking forward and upward to 2024 when adoption of privately-owned eVTOLs takes flight.”
Unlike many eVTOL aircraft currently in development, AIR’s goal with the AIR ONE is to create a ‘personal mobility’ aircraft that’s privately owned, rather than a shared vehicle to be flown commercially by major operators. The aircraft can fly up to 155mph, and can even fold its wings to fit in most garages or driveways.
Above: AIR ONE takes to the skies in its maiden unmanned flight on Dec 18th, 2018
Following this latest milestone, AIR plans to transfer the bulk of its operations and R&D to the United States, where further flight testing, development, and ongoing certification collaboration with the FAA will continue. In addition, AIR has invested in strategic partnerships with aviation companies around the world and unveiled the full-scale AIR ONE prototype at this year’s Kentucky Derby, EAA AirVenture, and the Detroit Auto Show, all since coming out of stealth nearly a year and a half ago.
Why it’s important: Several personal aerial mobility aircraft are currently in development alongside the AIR ONE, such as the Skyfly Axe, the PAL-V, the Jetson One, and the Ryse Recon. However, the AIR ONE has show some of the strongest developmental progress towards commercialization, combined with the largest passenger capacity and flight range. With this latest significant engineering milestone compete, the AIR ONE has taken a major next step towards certification, as well as proved the company’s ability to meet its developmental timeline and vision for production sales by 2024.
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EHang completes maiden flight by Spanish National Police to initiate trial operations in Spain
Chinese Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (“AAV”) technology platform company, EHang, announced that the EH216 AAV has completed its maiden flight by the Spanish National Police (“SNP”) at the National Academy of Police in Ávila, Spain, to initiate its trial operations by SNP in Spain. The public maiden flight ceremony was attended and witnessed by distinguished guests and officials from the Spanish...

EHang completes maiden flight by Spanish National Police to initiate trial operations in Spain

Chinese Autonomous Aerial Vehicle (“AAV”) technology platform company, EHang, announced that the EH216 AAV has completed its maiden flight by the Spanish National Police (“SNP”) at the National Academy of Police in Ávila, Spain, to initiate its trial operations by SNP in Spain.
The public maiden flight ceremony was attended and witnessed by distinguished guests and officials from the Spanish State for Security, SNP, the Spanish State Aviation Safety Agency (“AESA”), members of academic institutions, as well as the media.
By partnering with EHang since October 2021, SNP plans to utilize EH216 aircraft in emergency and public safety missions; such as accessing contaminated areas with nuclear, radiological, bacteriological or chemical risks, landing in confined areas, aerial logistics, and other police services that may require agile and efficient aerial mobility.
The maiden flight ceremony was presided by Rafael Pérez, the Secretary of the Spanish State for Security. “The SNP is the first security institution in the European Union to operate an AAV. Unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) constitute an alternative technological asset for multiple purposes, such as deployment in dangerous areas following a natural disaster or an accident, without endangering human lives. The lower operating costs of UAS and their constant new applications show great advantages over traditional aerial means,” Pérez said.
Pedro Prieto, the Director of Aerial Means of Spanish National Police, noted, “The capability to operate the EH216 AAV from a remote command and control station, which may be hundreds of kilometers away, reflects the National Police’s commitment to fulfill its digital transformation objectives.”
Victoria Jing Xiang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang Europe and Latin America, shared, “EHang is proud to partner with a law enforcement agency and support SNP with our AAV technologies to fulfill emergency response and public safety missions. SNP’s entry into trial operation of EH216 AAV lays a foundation for the deployment of Urban Air Mobility in Europe and sets an excellent example of commitment to public safety through advancing technology.”
Why it’s important: EHang has continued to extended its reach in Europe, now with the launch of trial operations in Spain. A successful partnership with the SSP will build Ehang’s global credibility, and continue its path toward reputable commercial operations, as the company competes with other international manufacturers to edge market share in this budding industry.
Ampaire Wins NASA Award for Innovative Hybrid Powerplant System Research
Ampaire has won a $150,000 Phase 1 award from NASA under its Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. The award is for the High Efficiency Powertrain for Hybrid Aircraft (HEPHA) project. The new AMP Drive AMP-H270 Configuration for smaller aircraft features distributive propulsion technology and can serve multiple markets. The Phase 1 award will fund sizing, architecture and other analytical...

Ampaire Wins NASA Award for Innovative Hybrid Powerplant System Research

Ampaire has won a $150,000 Phase 1 award from NASA under its Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. The award is for the High Efficiency Powertrain for Hybrid Aircraft (HEPHA) project. The new AMP Drive AMP-H270 Configuration for smaller aircraft features distributive propulsion technology and can serve multiple markets.

The Phase 1 award will fund sizing, architecture and other analytical studies over six months as a prelude to a potential Phase 2 award that would fund the system’s installation and testing on Ampaire’s Cessna Skymaster testbed aircraft, the ARPA-E Bird. This aircraft has also been used for previous research by the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E advanced programs unit. It will play a role in a $9 million ARPA-E SCALEUP award announced November 22, 2022 to mature individual systems that will eventually be certified on Ampaire’s nine-passenger, hybrid-electric Eco Caravan.
“These wins from NASA and the DOE recognize Ampaire’s leadership in electrified aviation. They also recognize the near-term potential to field hybrid-electric aircraft that will revolutionize aviation by lowering emissions and the cost of travel,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker.
Under the new NASA SBIR program, the ARPA-E Bird would be equipped with a hybrid propulsion drivetrain in the nose and an electric drive system in the rear for a multi-mode hybrid system. Ultimately, the system could be certified for light aircraft or used as part of larger power systems on regional aircraft and even transport category single-aisle jets.
The new AMP Drive AMP-H270 powertrain is a 270 kW system that has about half the power output of the AMP-H570 system that powers the Eco Caravan. The new drive system combines an ultra-efficient DHK180A4 compression ignition engine from DeltaHawk Engines of Racine, WI with an integrated electrical drive designed by Ampaire. The DeltaHawk engine runs on Jet-A and compatible sustainable aviation fuels. The Ampaire solution for the testbed aircraft provides a 45 percent cruise efficiency gain over the conventional combustion engines it replaces and double the efficiency of comparable gas turbines.
Why it’s important: Ampaire’s award from NASA underscores that importance of their hybrid-electric propulsion research and also the growing sentiment of the advantages of hybrid-electric powertrains as a bridge between current existing technologies and fully electric aircraft. The research being done at Ampaire will directly apply to their aircraft in the near-term, and help to accelerate learnings of electric powertrains in operation in various aviation arenas.
Air New Zealand Partners with 4 eVTOL Makers to Demonstrate Aerial Mobility Visions
Air New Zealand has unveiled plans to have its first zero emissions demonstrator flight – either cargo or passenger – take to the skies from 2026. The airline chose Eviation, Beta, VoltAero, and Cranfield Aerospace to participate in the partnership. A combination of electric, green hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, these partners will work alongside Air New Zealand over the coming years to focus on...

Air New Zealand Partners with 4 eVTOL Makers to Demonstrate Aerial Mobility Visions

Air New Zealand has unveiled plans to have its first zero emissions demonstrator flight – either cargo or passenger – take to the skies from 2026. The airline chose Eviation, Beta, VoltAero, and Cranfield Aerospace to participate in the partnership.
A combination of electric, green hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, these partners will work alongside Air New Zealand over the coming years to focus on developing the technology and associated infrastructure required to make flying these aircraft in New Zealand a reality.

These partnerships involve Air New Zealand signing a “statement of intent to order”, a document which demonstrates its ambition to acquire three aircraft initially, with further options for 20, from one or more of the partners subject to an evaluation process.
Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran says the airline selected these partners based on the stage they are at in their aircraft development journey and their shared goal of starting now to take ambitious action on climate change.
“Mission NextGen Aircraft is not about backing one innovator. It’s about working with a range of leaders in zero emissions aircraft technology to help move the whole ecosystem along. Our goal is to confirm our commitment with one or more of these partners in the next 12 months with the ambition of purchasing an aircraft for delivery from 2026.
“The learnings we will take from flying an aircraft with next generation propulsion technology from 2026 will then pave the way for our long-term partners to deliver an aircraft that can replace our Q300 turboprop domestic fleet.
“Getting a zero emissions aircraft off the ground by 2026 is going to be challenging. But we’re incredibly ambitious – because we need to be”
Why it matters: Air New Zealand’s eVTOL strategy diverges from many other carriers that have inked deals with aerial mobility OEM’s. With its try-before-you-buy strategy, Air New Zealand has an opportunity to study its 4 selected partners and choose the one which will form the strongest partnership and help the airline execute its vision of delivering zero-emission eVTOL flights by 2026.
Source: Air New Zealand Press Release
Joby Completes First Half of FAA System Reviews
As part of its journey to Type certification, Joby’s eVTOL needs to undergo four system reviews, two of which have now been successfully completed. Joby Aviation, one of the forerunners of the eVTOL movement, has now announced another milestone in its journey to fully certify its electric eVTOL aircraft with the FAA. As Joby moves forward with Type Certification, it...

Joby Completes First Half of FAA System Reviews

As part of its journey to Type certification, Joby’s eVTOL needs to undergo four system reviews, two of which have now been successfully completed.

Joby Aviation, one of the forerunners of the eVTOL movement, has now announced another milestone in its journey to fully certify its electric eVTOL aircraft with the FAA.
As Joby moves forward with Type Certification, it has continually worked closely with the FAA. Part of this process involves several full-system audits of Joby’s aircraft, which take place in-person over several days. Earlier this month, Joby completed the second out of four of these system audits at their test site in Marina, CA. These reviews are conducted to validate the overall architecture of the aircraft and ensure the OEM’s development is on track to meet the FAA’s safety objectives.
Said Didier Papadopoulos, head of Aircraft OEM at Joby, “Progress on certification is a key area of focus for this nascent sector, and we’re pleased to mark our continued leadership with the successful completion of our second system review. We’re confident that our aircraft design is on track to meet the FAA’s expectations regarding system-level safety, redundancy, and overall aircraft architecture.”
Notably, Joby also recently worked with the FAA to determine the full Airworthiness criteria for its eVTOL. The criteria developed for Joby will also likely set standards for other upcoming eVTOLs, as Joby is on track to be the first to be certified in the United States. Read more about this collaboration here.
In late 2020, Joby emerged from stealth mode with hundreds of millions of dollars in investments, including major backing from Toyota. With these release, it simultaneously announced Military airworthiness certification, along with collaborations with NASA and the USAF’s Agility prime to bring the aircraft into commercial and government service. Read more on Joby here.
Why it’s important: With this milestone, Joby continues to mark consistent progress in its certification journey with the FAA. Not only does this prove the ability for eVTOL aircraft to successfully proceed with FAA certification; it also proves that Joby is able to complete its developmental goals. Additionally, this certification effort will likely pave the way for other upcoming eVTOL makers.
Source // Joby Aviation, Revolution Aero
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Lilium and eVolare sign deal for up to 20 aircraft
Lilium has expanded into the UK market with eVolare by signing a binding contract which includes pre-delivery payment for up to 20 Lilium eVTOL aircraft. This partnership includes a firm commitment for 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with an option to purchase an additional 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets later on. eVolare, a subsidiary of Volare Aviation, is one of...

Lilium and eVolare sign deal for up to 20 aircraft

Lilium has expanded into the UK market with eVolare by signing a binding contract which includes pre-delivery payment for up to 20 Lilium eVTOL aircraft. This partnership includes a firm commitment for 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets, with an option to purchase an additional 10 Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets later on.

eVolare, a subsidiary of Volare Aviation, is one of the United Kingdom’s largest helicopter and private jet operators. The company is now poised to be Lilium’s lead partner and launch operator in the UK for sales of the Lilium Jet to private individuals.
The order coincides with the formal launch of the Lilium Pioneer Edition aircraft, which comes with a compelling service, support, and training package, as well as customizable options for the cabin configuration and exclusive fabrics and materials. In addition, eVolare will provide safe and reliable operation of Lilium’s aircraft from Oxford, running a maintenance service centre and investing in landing infrastructure for Lilium’s UK network.
Dustin Dryden, founder of eVolare said: “The revolutionary technology of the Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet coupled with its unique, premium cabin, made it a natural choice for us when looking to meet the future demands of an environmental conscious market. For all our customers, we can offer point to point time-saving travels in a sustainable, safe manner while introducing some incredibly exciting innovation to the UK market.”
Above: The executive configuration of the Lilium Jet’s interior
Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium said: “We are delighted to launch our Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet with eVolare. Not only is the demand for sustainable regional air mobility in London high but eVolare’s experience serving customers with business jets and helicopters operations is a great fit to our commercial first phase: getting the premium segment to adopt our aircraft while preparing the entire ecosystem for a larger market. eVolare’s visionary approach to sustainable air mobility also makes them the perfect partner for the United Kingdom.”
Why it’s important: This agreement between Lilium and eVolare will provide an opportunity for customers that regularly travel between locations within the UK to be part of an exclusive group of early adopters that can experience the future of sustainable regional air mobility. By association with such a leading voice in the private aviation sector, Lilium will benefit from eVolare’s extensive expertise within the UK aviation network, and its premium market to manage Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets in the UK.
VerdeGo, AvFuel Collaborate on SAF Powered Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Testing
VerdeGo Aero recently accepted delivery of concentrated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Avfuel Technology to qualify the fuel for use in the VerdeGo’s VH-3-185 hybrid electric powerplant. The use of Avfuel’s concentrated SAF to power electric motors enables hybrid-electric aircraft to quickly achieve a 70 – 80% lifecycle reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional propulsion. According to VerdeGo, this configuration creates...

VerdeGo, AvFuel Collaborate on SAF Powered Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Testing

VerdeGo Aero recently accepted delivery of concentrated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Avfuel Technology to qualify the fuel for use in the VerdeGo’s VH-3-185 hybrid electric powerplant.
The use of Avfuel’s concentrated SAF to power electric motors enables hybrid-electric aircraft to quickly achieve a 70 – 80% lifecycle reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional propulsion. According to VerdeGo, this configuration creates more efficient designs while also delivering significant increases in mission capabilities—the range of these aircraft can be increased six to 10 times in comparison to battery power.

VerdeGo plans to provide leading electric aircraft manufacturers with a hybrid electric power solution that delivers high performance, low direct operating costs and low technology risk to bridge the gap between current technological maturity while also leveraging recent advances in battery technology. With hybrid power from VerdeGo Aero and SAF, VerdeGo claims that a 70-80% carbon reduction is feasible for all the most capable electric aircraft with the most demanding missions.
Research is also underway on SAF options that have the potential to enable VerdeGo’s hybrid systems to operate on a carbon neutral basis – which would increase the pool of aircraft that can benefit from the combination of SAF and innovative propulsion systems.
Why it’s important: VerdeGo’s testing of SAF applicability to their VH-3-185 hybrid-electric powerplant is another step on their path toward a sustainable and efficient propulsion offering that takes advantage of current technological maturity within the aerospace industry. While other companies are attempting to rollout completely new technologies, VerdeGo is optimizing and hybridizing current offerable technologies, a combination of which (propulsion, and SAF) will substantially decrease emissions and increase efficiency for aerial mobility and short-haul regional aircraft of the future.
FlyBIS to Purchase 40 eVTOLs from Eve
Eve has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with FlyBIS Aviation Limited (“FlyBIS”), an advanced air mobility start-up based in Caxias do Sul, in the south of Brazil, to collaborate on the development of eVTOL operations in Brazil and South America. Based on the agreement, FlyBIS will also purchase up to 40 of Eve’s eVTOL vehicles. Above: The Eve eVTOL...

FlyBIS to Purchase 40 eVTOLs from Eve

Eve has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with FlyBIS Aviation Limited (“FlyBIS”), an advanced air mobility start-up based in Caxias do Sul, in the south of Brazil, to collaborate on the development of eVTOL operations in Brazil and South America. Based on the agreement, FlyBIS will also purchase up to 40 of Eve’s eVTOL vehicles.

Above: The Eve eVTOL featured with FlyBIS branding
“This new collaboration with FlyBIS will enable us to expand the future of air mobility to Southern areas of Brazil and other South American countries,” said Andre Stein, Co-CEO of Eve. “This region has several high-traffic tourist areas that will benefit from eVTOL operations, reinforcing our commitment to fostering the urban air mobility market in different regions around the world.”
FlyBIS has become a promising option for air mobility in South Brazil in the short term and is set to help change and improve the way future generations will move. After starting operations in Brazil’s southern states, FlyBIS plans to expand operations to neighboring countries and contribute to the implementation and development of Eve’s air mobility ecosystem. FlyBIS is backed by Brave Aviation who’s current fleet includes Embraer Phenom 100 as well as other aircraft.
“We have a strong team in FlyBIS working together with Eve’s outstanding workforce and second-to-none resources to develop and implement this project in the most financially efficient and sustainable way,” said FlyBIS Co-Founder and CEO Gustavo Zanettini, who is also an aviation consultant and airline pilot. “Our team is very motivated and confident, and we will be working to change future generations’ urban air mobility for a more accessible and cleaner experience.”
Why it matters: Eve now boasts an impressive, industry-leading order book of 2,770 eVTOLs with this latest order of 40 units from FlyBIS. As a Brazilian manufacturer and operator, the partnership between Eve and FlyBIS promises to bring advanced aerial mobility to southern Brazil and surrounding regions.
- Eve Announces First Vertiport Operator Partner Bluenest by Globalvia (December 2022)
- United Airlines Ventures Adds Eve to its UAM Portfolio (September 2022)
- EVE, Embraer-backed eVTOL startup, now trading on NYSE (July 2022)
- Kenya Airways to Purchase 40 Embraer EVE eVTOL Aircraft (June 2022)
- Eve Lands Order for up to 50 eVTOLs from Aviair and Helispirit (February 2022)
- Embraer’s Eve Establishes Partnerships for eVTOL flights in Europe, Latin America, and Dubai (June 2022)
Near Earth Autonomy wins Innovator of the Year award in Pittsburgh
Near Earth Autonomy, a company developing autonomous flight systems for new and existing aircraft, has received the Innovator of the Year award from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, where the company is based. Above: Kaman Aerospace’s K-Max Helicopter, recently integrated with autonomous systems from Near Earth Autonomy Near Earth Autonomy is a growing leader in autonomous flight technologies. As the company...

Near Earth Autonomy wins Innovator of the Year award in Pittsburgh

Near Earth Autonomy, a company developing autonomous flight systems for new and existing aircraft, has received the Innovator of the Year award from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, where the company is based.

Above: Kaman Aerospace’s K-Max Helicopter, recently integrated with autonomous systems from Near Earth Autonomy
Near Earth Autonomy is a growing leader in autonomous flight technologies. As the company has developed, it has created autonomous flight systems for both full-size traditional helicopters as well as drones. Near Earth’s solutions enable aerial mobility applications for partners in the commercial and defense sectors.
Earlier this week, the Pittsburgh Technology Council named Near Earth as the category winner for AI/ML/Robotics in the Southwest Pennsylvania Area. Each year, the Pittsburgh Technology Council celebrates the most successful and innovative companies in Southwestern PA at their Tech 50 Awards event, with past winners included self-driving cars that now operate commercially in Pittsburgh.
Said PTC CEO Audrey Russo, “While Pittsburgh is known for self-driving cars, Near Earth is unique in that it has pioneered autonomy for the next generation of aircraft. We expect nothing less than a rethinking of aerial transportation from them. We are proud of Near Earth for bringing “Aviation Alley” to the high-tech ecosystem in the Pittsburgh region.”
Said Sanjiv Singh, CEO and Co-Founder of Near Earth Autonomy, “We are grateful for the Tech Council’s recognition of our work in building the future of autonomous flight. My sincere gratitude goes to our employees and collaborators in helping create the building blocks for safe and efficient autonomous flight. The PTC has been a driving force behind the region’s upward trajectory, making Pittsburgh a great place to grow and scale a technology company.”
So far, Near Earth Autonomy’s eVTOL aerial mobility partners have included Volocopter, Eve, and Kaman Aerospace.
Why it’s important: This recognition from the City of Pittsburg indicates the potential for open collaboration between the city’s government and companies like Near Earth Autonomy that provide autonomous flight. With the city already adopting the commercialization of autonomous automobiles, it also may soon become one of the first to begin integrating autonomous flight. Additionally, with this growth and relationships in these cities, Near Earth positions itself well as a potential partner for eVTOL aircraft and operations developers to begin integrating autonomous systems and operations in this area.
Source // Near Earth Autonomy Press Release
Related:
- Kaman Corporation Invests $10M in Near Earth Autonomy (June 2022)
- Volocopter and Near Earth Autonomy to Partner for BVLOS VoloDrone Ops (June 2021)
- Embraer and Eve Evaluate Autonomous Flight Technologies over Rio de Janeiro (May 2022)
- Adacel opens new Office for Virtual Air Traffic Control in Estonia (November 2022)
- Xwing Partners with NASA for Autonomous Air Mobility (November 2022)
Alauda Aeronautics Completes Three-eVTOL Operations
Alauda Aeronautics recently shared that in September the company achieved a first by flying three Speeders in close proximity together in South Australia. The safety work carried out in order to achieve this milestone event was essential to Airspeeder’s mission of building a flying car motorsport where multiple craft will complete together on the same communication networks. This operational exercise...

Alauda Aeronautics Completes Three-eVTOL Operations

Alauda Aeronautics recently shared that in September the company achieved a first by flying three Speeders in close proximity together in South Australia.

The safety work carried out in order to achieve this milestone event was essential to Airspeeder’s mission of building a flying car motorsport where multiple craft will complete together on the same communication networks. This operational exercise will allow for more experience in close formation and proximity AAV operations which is crucial to the eventual rollout of large scale aerial mobility operations.
Watch Alauda’s video detailing “three speeder operations”:
Alauda sees their mission similar to that of Formula 1’s original technological advancements percolating from race cars to daily drivers, incorporating safety advances that have saved countless lives over the years while serving as the perfect proving grounds for new technologies in a controlled environment.
Why it’s important: Alauda’s three-ship operation of its Airspeeder eVTOLs is an important step for the company as they draw nearer to larger scale airspeeder races and the industry ultimately progresses towards integrated AAV ops. A number of technologies still require significant development in order to enable the necessary ops data for certification and safety evaluation activities, but Alauda’s movement toward more tightly packed eVTOLs in the sky, if only for racing at this time, is still an important step forward in the eVTOL development timeline.
NAA plans cross-country air race for electric aircraft
The first Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, planned for May 2023, will be a four day, 1,000 nm cross-country event beginning in Omaha, NE and ending near Kitty Hawk, NC. The race will be hosted by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and open to piloted aerodynes of all types using zero-emission electric propulsion (e.g., fixed wing aeroplanes, helicopters, or multi-rotor eVTOL Advanced Air Mobility [AAM]...

NAA plans cross-country air race for electric aircraft

The first Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, planned for May 2023, will be a four day, 1,000 nm cross-country event beginning in Omaha, NE and ending near Kitty Hawk, NC. The race will be hosted by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and open to piloted aerodynes of all types using zero-emission electric propulsion (e.g., fixed wing aeroplanes, helicopters, or multi-rotor eVTOL Advanced Air Mobility [AAM] vehicles).
Because many of the potential competitors may be in a research and development phase and using experimental aircraft, the race will be a day only, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) event. The race winner will be the pilot/crew with the fastest speed calculated from the cumulative flight time, not including time on the ground for maintenance, charging, or overnight stays. The specific race rules have been developed by the NAA Pulitzer Race Committee and are available here.
The cross-country format, rather than a closed-circuit speed event, was selected to emphasize electric aircraft range and reliability, in addition to speed, in a realistic operating environment. A cross-country race will require careful logistical planning from the race teams and highlight different electric propulsion technology choices and operational strategies such as rapid battery charging, whole battery changes, and solar power augmentation to extend range. As a long distance, multi-day cross-country event open to all classes and types of electric aircraft, we have designed the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race to provide an open canvas for design innovations and be a flying expo for the electric aviation industry.
Why it’s important: The electric aircraft industry has been rapidly expanding in terms of technological readiness and the number of potential race contestants. The air race will be a resumption of the Pulitzer air races first held in the early 1920s, and the winner of the race awarded the Pulitzer Trophy (on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC) at a suitable NAA awards event. Even more important, the winning aircraft will receive strong publicity and prospective future consumers and commercial operators will subsequently view the aircraft and its manufacturer as a leader in the industry.
Archer Achieves Forward Flight Transition with Maker
Archer has announced that Maker successfully completed its first transition to full wing-borne flight on November 29, 2022. Maker has 12 propellers attached to six booms on a fixed wing. All 12 propellers provide vertical lift during take-off and landing. The forward 6 propellers tilt forward to cruise position to provide propulsion during forward flight, with the wing providing aerodynamic...

Archer Achieves Forward Flight Transition with Maker

Archer has announced that Maker successfully completed its first transition to full wing-borne flight on November 29, 2022.
Maker has 12 propellers attached to six booms on a fixed wing. All 12 propellers provide vertical lift during take-off and landing. The forward 6 propellers tilt forward to cruise position to provide propulsion during forward flight, with the wing providing aerodynamic lift as in a conventional airplane. During this first flight, Maker’s tilt propellers were locked in cruise position for the first time and the aircraft flew at a calibrated airspeed of 91 knots (105 mph).
The success of the Maker flight testing program demonstrates a number of the key enabling technologies for Midnight (the company’s production version eVTOL), such as the aircraft’s flight control system. The Maker flight test program has generated invaluable data that Archer has leveraged in the development and certification process for Midnight. Archer has made rapid progress on Maker’s flight testing program, completing this transition to fully wing-borne flight in less than 12 months after its first hover flight.
“From day one, Archer’s strategy has always been about finding the most efficient path to commercializing eVTOL aircraft,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “The data and experience we’ve gathered from Maker’s rigorous flight testing program has been invaluable to the development and certification path of Midnight, and lends further confidence to our belief that Archer will be the first company to certify an eVTOL aircraft in the US with the FAA.”
“This significant achievement is a testament to the countless hours of design, simulation and wind tunnel testing that our team has conducted behind-the-scenes,” said Dr. Geoff Bower, Archer’s Chief Engineer responsible for overseeing Maker’s flight test campaign. Dr. Bower has over a decade of experience in the eVTOL aircraft industry, during which he has helped design and build four full-scale eVTOL aircraft that have successfully completed flight test campaigns. “Looking forward to the commercialization of Midnight, we’ll continue to draw upon the incredible findings and lessons learned from Maker’s flight testing program.”
Why it matters: Achieving the transition to forward flight is critical to validating the flight physics of Archer’s proprietary 12-tilt-6 propeller configuration that it uses on Maker, and will use with Midnight. Archer recently recently unveiled Midnight at its Open House on November 16thm and is working to certify with the FAA in late 2024.
- Archer Unveils its Production Aircraft, Midnight (November 2022)
- Archer Announces Production Plan for its eVTOL Aircraft (October 2022)
- United Airlines Completes $10M Pre-Payment for 100 Archer eVTOL Aircraft (August 2022)
Blueflite Patents eVTOL System
Blueflite, developer an eVTOL cargo system and aircraft , has just announced that the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) has granted a patent for the company’s aircraft design. The patent is specifically titled “Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicle”. While Blueflite’s aircraft is not the same size as some large scale eVTOLs in development, the company has already begun...

Blueflite Patents eVTOL System

Blueflite, developer an eVTOL cargo system and aircraft , has just announced that the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) has granted a patent for the company’s aircraft design. The patent is specifically titled “Vertical Take-Off and Landing Vehicle”.
While Blueflite’s aircraft is not the same size as some large scale eVTOLs in development, the company has already begun making many of its products and services commercially available. The aircraft’s unique design can allow for maneuverability in many urban environments, and operations in areas where infrastructure may not be accessible.
While the aircraft uses wings to provide lift in forward flight, the rotors of the aircraft can tilt to either provide forward propulsion, or lift and control for vertical take-off, landing, low-speed flight, and hovering. This unique design can provide maneuverability, speed, range, and payload capabilities that combined would not be possible in fixed-wing UAVs or quadcopter layouts. The patent filed with the USPTO covers company’s proprietary aircraft design including the unique tilt-mechanism, internal payload bay, compact wing design, and control software.
Said Frank Noppel, Blueflite Founder and CEO, when speaking about the aircraft: “These key features are absent from most delivery drones on the market today and we believe that these capabilities are essential to succeed in the drone logistics industry. This is just the first in a series of patents we have pending as Blueflite continues to invest in the best mobility technology for future logistics solutions.”
Blueflite is based in Ann-Arbor, Michigan, with the mission of providing a “drone-based logistics platform for faster and more cost-effective deliveries.” In particular, the company prides itself on its aircraft’s ability to dependably manuever in inclimate weather and urban environments, as well as complete longer-range mission profiles.
Why it’s important: The design of Blueflite’s aircraft has immense potential both for UAV drone operations and for larger-scale cargo eVTOLs. By receiving this patent, Blueflite will be able to begin implementing its winged eVTOL solution commercially in more areas. These operations can both prove the functionality of this design as well as demonstrate the immense benefits of this technology. Together, these will encourage the further development of this industry, as well as larger aircraft that can deliver even more cargo with the same versatile capabilities.
Source // Blueflite
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