Results for: skai
Alaka’i Technologies Updates Design Plans for the Skai
One year after revealing their innovative design for the first fully hydrogen powered VTOL aircraft, Alaka’i Technologies has come out with some revisions into their development of the Skai. The Skai gained much acclaim with the announcement that it would use liquid hydrogen as opposed to electric or conventional. An initial design was proposed by Alaka’i back in June 2019,...

Alaka’i Technologies Updates Design Plans for the Skai

One year after revealing their innovative design for the first fully hydrogen powered VTOL aircraft, Alaka’i Technologies has come out with some revisions into their development of the Skai. The Skai gained much acclaim with the announcement that it would use liquid hydrogen as opposed to electric or conventional. An initial design was proposed by Alaka’i back in June 2019, and in short, the Skai was planned to feature a range of 400 miles (644 km) and a flight time of 4 hours using a simple 6 rotor multicopter design. According to CTO Brian Morrison, this simplicity in design was the key advantage of the Skai’s design: less complexity in design would mean both less maintenance and quicker certification.

The Alaka’i Skai Photograph: Alaka’i Technologies
A year in, Alaka’i has slightly shifted their milestones for the Skai. The original Skai design revealed last year has progressed to the tethered flight stage, and currently Alaka’i is working on a refined prototype design based off of the first one. So far, all testing has been done with an automated piloting system. Manned flight is expected to be begun in early 2021, but according to Alaka’i CEO Steve Hanvey, it could take longer: “Right now, we’re capable of flying it from the ground. In fact at this point I’m flying it about 50 feet away from the aircraft. Very quiet, very little air wash compared to a traditional helicopter. I’m flying it with my thumbs like you’d fly a drone. In the software, it’s capable of taking off and hovering by itself, but we prefer to have physical control.”
As for Alaka’i’s certification process, the Skai is currently two years into the FAA’s certification process, which is expected to take five years. Additionally, Alaka’i has an experimental ticket application ready once the Skai is able to fly off tethers and with a pilot. The process will take time before its finished, but Hanvey remains confident. “I’ve been certifying aircraft since 1980,” he says. “Military programs, helicopters, fixed wings, small and large, Our whole team brings experience from the aerospace business around what it takes to get an aircraft successfully certified, and what does it take to support it.”
The initial design for the Skai was ambitious, but still not impossible. “I think some of the statements made previously were perhaps overly ambitious, made in the excitement of the moment,” says Skai’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer Bruce Gunter, “But that’s what happens when you’re pushing the envelope in that respect. We’re working hard to get there.”
Why it’s important: The Skai’s main draw comes from the innovative usage of liquid hydrogen, a choice that allows the Skai to both outpace competitors in terms of speed, range, and maintenance. With a much higher energy density than lithium batteries, liquid hydrogen offers genuine long-range flight capabilities, as well as fast refuelling. Used in a fuel cell electric powertrain, its only local emissions are water, and there are a growing number of ways to produce it in a completely green and sustainable fashion, some of which are beginning to become cost-competitive with jet fuel, giving the Skai high potential to become one of the driving forces of the aerial mobility industry.
Source // New Atlas
Alaka’i Technologies Unveils Skai, A Hydrogen Fuel Cell eVTOL
Last Wednesday, Alaka’i Technologies unveiled the first ever hydrogen fuel cell eVTOL. Designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, the aircraft is soon to enter flight testing. The Skai eVTOL focuses on simplicity. According to Alaka’i, keeping the design simple speeds up both certification and production, and raises safety standards. The Alaka’i team has goals of 1,000lbs payload, a 400 mile...

Alaka’i Technologies Unveils Skai, A Hydrogen Fuel Cell eVTOL

Last Wednesday, Alaka’i Technologies unveiled the first ever hydrogen fuel cell eVTOL. Designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, the aircraft is soon to enter flight testing.
The Skai eVTOL focuses on simplicity. According to Alaka’i, keeping the design simple speeds up both certification and production, and raises safety standards. The Alaka’i team has goals of 1,000lbs payload, a 400 mile range and 118mph top speed.
The Skai boasts an impressive interior and exterior design with a full panoramic roof and sides. The team at Designworks focused heavily on what the aircraft would feel like to use to the user, although in early years the Skai will be geared towards cargo, emergency services, and search and rescue. Of course, the eventual goal is to provide an air taxi service for urban cities. The mock-up of the Skai seen below can accommodate four passengers, plus a pilot.

“A year ago, this was just a piece of paper”–Steve Hanvey, Alaka’i Technologies CEO
While essentially all other air taxi companies are based on lithium-ion battery power, Alaka’i chose hydrogen fuel cell propulsion in order to meet the speed, range, and payload requirements of the founders. Each pound of compressed hydrogen contains over 200 times the amount of energy that could be stored in a 1-pound lithium ion battery. This kind of weight reduction is essential for flight performance. Additionally, unlike battery powered aircraft, the Skai can be refueled with liquid hydrogen in around 10 minutes, and liquid hydrogen fuel can be more mobile on the ground than electric chargers. While there currently exists more infrastructure for electric charging, which is why many short-range urban aircraft have chosen it, hydrogen represents a cheaper and even greener method of propulsion.
Alaka’i has already built both the full scale mock-up seen here and a functional full-scale prototype that’s nearly ready for flight tests. Although by law the prototype will need a human pilot, the Skai is capable of completely autonomous flight.
The biggest questions remaining for Skai are certification and infrastructure. Because the design is so simple, with fewer parts and new technologies needing approval, members of the Skai team hope to see certification for many of the aircrafts components within a year. Regarding infrastructure, CEO Steve Hanvey said, “We’re looking at small (sized) electrolysis capability to generate liquid hydrogen at locations that don’t have the infrastructure as the first step…kind of like the early filling stations.” Essentially these kinds of small-sized ‘filling stations’ would allow liquid hydrogen fuel to be produced at any location.
“We’re looking right now, today, at mass production, so that it’s easier to transition from low-rate to high-rate production.” -Steve Hanvey, Alaka’i Technologies CEO
Skai is led by a team of highly experienced experts formerly from NASA, Raytheon, Beech, Cirrus, Dayjet, and the Department of Defense. You can learn more about Skai on it’s website or on the TransportUP Skai Aircraft Page.
Why it’s important: The unveiling of the Skai eVTOL by Alaka’i technologies brings a new level of competition to the urban aviation industry by bringing hydrogen fuel cell propulsion to the table. The fuel cell technology utilized by Skai will produce higher range, payload, and speed statistics for the industry to match. Ultimately, Alaka’i Technologies has made a new form of eVTOL transportation with an extremely high potential for the future.
Sources // Alaka’i Technologies
Skai by Alaka’i Technologies
Quick SummaryThe Skai by Alaka'i Technologies is the first ever hydrogen fuel cell powered eVTOL. The Skai is estimated to have up to a 400 mile range, carry up to 5 people, and have a top speed of 118mph. The aircraft is designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, which is also repsonsible for desiging a Virgin Hyperloop One capsule interior. Alaka'i Technologies is...

Skai by Alaka’i Technologies

Quick Summary
The Skai by Alaka'i Technologies is the first ever hydrogen fuel cell powered eVTOL. The Skai is estimated to have up to a 400 mile range, carry up to 5 people, and have a top speed of 118mph. The aircraft is designed in collaboration with BMW Designworks, which is also repsonsible for desiging a Virgin Hyperloop One capsule interior. Alaka'i Technologies is led team of experts formerly from NASA, Raytheon, Beech, Cirrus, Dayjet, and the Department of Defense.
Stage of Development
Preliminary Design
Technical Details
Aircraft Type: Wingless VTOL
Powerplant: Hydrogen Fuel Cell, about 400 horsepower
Propeller Configuration: Six vertical lift propellers
Range: 400 miles
Top Speed: 118mph
Passenger Capacity: 4 passengers, plus 1 pilot
Payload Capacity: 1,000lbs
Autonomy Level: Semi-autonomous with eventual full-autonomy capability
Other Information
Altitude: Operates between 500 ft to 3000 ft
Regulation: Alaka'i is currently working with the FAA to get its design approved for experimental flight. Skai believes that with its 'keep it simple' approach, experimental certification and flight tests should be complete within a year.
Funding: Private
Our Take on Skai
The design of Skai is one of the most advanced on the market, comparable to the Bell Nexus Air Taxi. With a team of highly experienced leaders in aviation innovation, as well as BMW Designworks, Skai is likely to go far. The Alaka'i Technologies team was able to take the Skai design from napkin sketch to complete mock-up and full-scale prototype in just one year, faster than most other eVTOL companies on the market. Moreover, Alaka'i has the first-mover advantage for hydrogen fuel cell technology. While smaller, electric powered vehicles may initially make more sense for urban infrastructure where electric charging is readily available, Skai's fuel cell technology gives it an undeniable advantage in efficiency, eco-friendliness, and overall performance.
Electro.Aero Releases New Line of Electric Aircraft Chargers
Electro.Aero, a company that develops high-voltage electric aircraft chargers, recently announced the arrival of their brand new charging station, the RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200. The new charger aims to set the stage for the aerial mobility charging industry. This new product is expected to be available for 2023 delivery. The mission of Electra.aero is to help in reducing the environmental impact...

Electro.Aero Releases New Line of Electric Aircraft Chargers

Electro.Aero, a company that develops high-voltage electric aircraft chargers, recently announced the arrival of their brand new charging station, the RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200. The new charger aims to set the stage for the aerial mobility charging industry. This new product is expected to be available for 2023 delivery.
The mission of Electra.aero is to help in reducing the environmental impact of air transportation by providing high-end chargers exclusively designed for electric aircraft, including both fixed wing and eVTOL. Their newest product, the RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200 will provide 200kW per unit of AC electric charging. The new charger can convert between AS6968, CCS2 and NACS charging standards, and features a cable spool design that will allow it to be easily moved by single person to any point on the runway.
Additionally, Electro.aero also announced that it’s making a shipping container-sized battery system, called the AEROCHARGE. This system will allow even grids without high-voltage outputs to charge electric aircraft at rates up to 400kwH, using two RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200 combined. This means, for example, that even areas with only solar or low-voltage grids will still be able to fast-charge electric aircraft at vertiports.
Already, Electro.aero is offering delivery deals on these charging systems. The company envisions many of its initial customers to be eVTOL protypers, and light fixed-wing aircraft users like Ampaire, Pipistrel, or Electra.aero eSTOLs.
Why It’s Important: Electro.aero is one of the only companies in the world specifically dedicated to providing electric aircraft charging products. By being first to market, Electro hopes to establish itself as a global leader in this industry. The new RAP!D Aircraft Charger 200 will allow for quick recharging, and can be installed almost anywhere, giving it the potential to significantly increase access to charging stations as eVTOL and electric fixed-wing aircraft become more prevalent across the world. By being first to market, Electro.aero can lay the groundwork and create a model for more electric charging station developers in the future.
Source // Electro.aero Press Release
Related:
Seaglider manufacturer REGENT secures investment from Japan Airlines
REGENT, the company pursuing electric seagliders for sustainable maritime transportation, has announced a strategic investment from Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, the venture arm of Japan Airlines (JAL). “This strategic investment speaks to the growing adoption of seaglider technology by major airlines,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “At REGENT, we’re at the helm of ushering in a...

Seaglider manufacturer REGENT secures investment from Japan Airlines

REGENT, the company pursuing electric seagliders for sustainable maritime transportation, has announced a strategic investment from Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, the venture arm of Japan Airlines (JAL).
“This strategic investment speaks to the growing adoption of seaglider technology by major airlines,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “At REGENT, we’re at the helm of ushering in a completely new era in sustainable transportation, and JAL Innovation Fund’s investment gives us the resources and support that we need to unveil an innovative approach for regional travel at lower costs, faster speeds, and zero emissions.”
Seagliders are a new mode of transportation that combines the high speed of an airplane with the low operating cost of a boat. These all-electric, zero-emission vessels operate over the water and leverage existing dock infrastructure to carry people and goods up to 180 miles between coastal destinations.
The REGENT seaglider is an all-electric wing-in-ground effect vehicle, meaning it flies low (within one wingspan) over the water to take advantage of numerous aerodynamic and operational efficiencies, enabling increased payload capability and greater range than other electric aircraft concepts. The seaglider operates in three modes: from the dock, the vehicle first drives on its hull like a traditional boat. As it leaves the harbor area and speeds up, it rises on its retractable hydrofoil, which offers significant wave tolerance and a smooth ride as it leaves a crowded harbor. Upon reaching open water, the vehicle transitions onto its wing, retracting the foil and accelerating up to cruise speed—all while staying within a wingspan of the water’s surface. Driving a seaglider is enabled by coupling advanced digital flight software with simple boat controls.
REGENT has sold over 400 seagliders to date, to global aviation and ferry customers including Mokulele Airlines, Southern Airways Express, FRS (Germany), and Ocean Flyer (New Zealand). With more than $7.5 billion in orders from commercial operating partners around the world, REGENT aims for its 12-passenger seaglider, Viceroy, to enter service by mid-decade.
“We are very pleased to make this investment in REGENT from our CVC, JAL Innovation Fund,” says Yasushi Noda, Executive Officer, Senior Vice President – Digital Innovation at Japan Airlines. “We believe seagliders are a safe, sustainable, and economical solution and we are excited to work with REGENT to assess demand not only in Japan but around the world. We are delighted to add seagliders to JAL’s list of new challenges and are honored to work with REGENT to explore the possibilities of seagliders.”
In addition to the investment, REGENT and JAL are working together to explore opportunities for ecosystem development, bringing together relevant stakeholders to deliver the benefits of seagliders to new and underserved markets. REGENT’s investors to date include Thiel Capital, Y Combinator, Founders Fund, and Mark Cuban.
Why it’s important: This investment in REGENT serves as a first step in the exploration of incorporating seagliders into JAL’s global network and highlights its commitment to sustainable transportation. With this investment, REGENT has raised over $45 million to date. REGENT has also furthered its global reach that was substantiated largely by a recent commitment from German ferry operator, FRS, to operate the seagliders. REGENT’s growing portfolio of international customers also includes Ocean Flyer in New Zealand, Split Express in Croatia, and Brittany Ferries in the United Kingdom and France.
Skyports Drone Services Partners with Pyka to Launch Heavy Payload Operations
Skyports Drone Services and electric autonomous aircraft manufacturer Pyka have agreed on a partnership for heavy payload drone logistics. The collaboration plans to leverage Skyports Drone Services’ extensive operational experience as well as Pyka’s heavy payload aircraft to provide heavy drone delivery services. The partnership specifically involves Skyports Drone Services and the recently unveiled Pyka Pelican Cargo uncrewed aerial system...

Skyports Drone Services Partners with Pyka to Launch Heavy Payload Operations

Skyports Drone Services and electric autonomous aircraft manufacturer Pyka have agreed on a partnership for heavy payload drone logistics. The collaboration plans to leverage Skyports Drone Services’ extensive operational experience as well as Pyka’s heavy payload aircraft to provide heavy drone delivery services.

The partnership specifically involves Skyports Drone Services and the recently unveiled Pyka Pelican Cargo uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The large autonomous electric aircraft’s 175+ kg payload capacity and 1.85 cubic meters cargo volume significantly increases Skyports Drone Services’ payload capabilities and complements the existing lineup of UAS solutions currently utilized by the UK drone operator. Pyka’s Pelican Cargo will be deployed for a range of use cases and operations, including services for humanitarian aid, logistics and delivery companies, as well as healthcare and medical organizations.
A full flight program with Pelican Cargo will begin in early Q2 in Cornwall, UK, and will include flights for the Future Flight Challenge phase three Open Skies Cornwall project, one of four UK Research & Innovation funded projects won by Skyports Drone Services in July 2022.
The introduction of Pyka’s Pelican Cargo aircraft into the Skyports Drone Services fleet supports the company’s ambitions of implementing drone operations at scale. The substantial uplift in capacity strengthens the UK drone operator’s proposition and market position.
Alex Brown, Director, Skyports Drone Services, said: “Having a fully electric, autonomous, heavy lift cargo drone in our fleet is a real gamechanger. To date, we’ve been focused on operations with smaller, high value payloads; the introduction of the Pelican Cargo brings new capabilities and means we can now fly significant volumes of cargo long distances, connecting communities in remote areas and providing a regular, robust form of transport in and out of hard-to-reach areas. Importantly, we’re doing this now – this isn’t future gazing, it’s a ready-to-go service.”
Why it’s important: Skyports’ partnership with Pyka will facilitate additional operational experience of heavy lift drones, which will carry payloads similar to that of smaller eVTOL aircraft. Additionally, since Pyka’s heavy lift drone technology is ready for usage, Skyports and Pyka will gain valuable insights into fine tuning their operation and future scaling efforts to make a more compelling business case for this type of service to be rolled out in other areas across the globe.
MightyFly Unveils 2nd Generation eVTOL
Bay-area startup, MightyFly, has announced a next generation of its eVTOL prototype. The prototype dubbed, Cento, builds upon the firms previous model and is capable of carrying a 100 pound payload up to a range of 600 miles at speeds of 150 mph. Cento uses a hybrid powertrain and is able to achieve its 600-mile range without any charging. This...

MightyFly Unveils 2nd Generation eVTOL

Bay-area startup, MightyFly, has announced a next generation of its eVTOL prototype. The prototype dubbed, Cento, builds upon the firms previous model and is capable of carrying a 100 pound payload up to a range of 600 miles at speeds of 150 mph. Cento uses a hybrid powertrain and is able to achieve its 600-mile range without any charging.

This announcement comes less than two years after receiving $5.1M USD in seed funding and 9 months after first flight of its original eVTOL prototype. Cento features eight electrical vertical lift fans and one forward propulsion propeller. The cargo bay is 6 feet long and can carry 96 small USPS packages.
MightyFly intends to operate and maintain a fleet of Cento eVTOL cargo drones and will manage the end-to-end process of express shipping services.
“The traditional hub-and-spoke distribution model can still serve businesses that have centralized warehousing and shipping systems in place and that have experienced few logistics issues,” said Manal Habib, MightyFly CEO and co-founder. “But if there is one lesson we’ve learned from supply chain bottlenecks and logistics over the past few years, it’s that we need flexibility – to be able to adapt to various cargo volumes and expedited timing or urgencies. Medical companies, just-in-time manufacturing, and the 51% of all retailers that now provide same-day delivery need a faster and more affordable way to get their goods and perishables to the final destination.”
MightlyFly has also secured a Special Airworthiness Certificate for Cento in order to conduct long-range test flights. This will enable the company to continue development and testing of Cento ahead of certification and commercialization.
While Cento was just announced and the team began flight testing of the prototype last month, MightyFly states they are already working on a larger variant capable of carrying a 500 pound payload.
Why it matters: MightyFly has only been in the eVTOL space since 2019 but has made significant progress in its short history with relatively little funding. The development of the Cento prototype and potentially larger variants could make the company one of the first commercialized drone delivery providers if they can complete their flight test campaign and certification.
Eviation Announces Order From Aerus For 30 Alice All-Electric Commuter Aircraft
Eviation Aircraft, manufacturer of the all-electric Alice aircraft, announced that Aerus, an emerging regional airline in Mexico, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 30 commuter aircraft. The nine-seater Alice is the world’s first flight-tested all-electric commuter aircraft. Built from a clean- sheet design, the Alice produces no emissions and costs significantly less to operate per flight hour compared to...

Eviation Announces Order From Aerus For 30 Alice All-Electric Commuter Aircraft

Eviation Aircraft, manufacturer of the all-electric Alice aircraft, announced that Aerus, an emerging regional airline in Mexico, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for 30 commuter aircraft.



The nine-seater Alice is the world’s first flight-tested all-electric commuter aircraft. Built from a clean- sheet design, the Alice produces no emissions and costs significantly less to operate per flight hour compared to light jets or high-end turboprops. It is powered by two magni650 electric propulsion units developed by magniX, the global industry leader in flight-proven electric propulsion systems.
Aerus is a new market entrant committed to sustainable and carbon-free technology. Launching commercial operations in 2023, Aerus will utilize Monterrey Airport (MTY) as its regional hub, offering an expanded flight schedule and covering routes that no other airlines currently operate. By introducing electric aircraft into its fleet, Aerus aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2033.
“Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden visited Mexico, where he and his counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, highlighted the economic opportunities created by the clean energy transition. The introduction of the Alice is certainly one of those opportunities,” said Eddie Jaisaree, Vice President, Commercial Sales at Eviation. “The aircraft offers a more enjoyable flight experience, lower operating costs, and meets the demand for zero-carbon technology that we are seeing from governments, regulators and the public. We are very pleased to receive this order from Aerus.”
“As we enter into service, our objective is to create new opportunities for regional travel in Mexico that are environmentally and economically sustainable,” said Javier Herrera García, CEO of Aerus. “Working with Eviation to bring a zero-emissions fleet to our region will transform the way we experience air travel and connect communities like never before.”
“Just as Uber disrupted the taxi market, Alice promises to usher in ‘UberAir’ through the introduction of low-cost, point-to-point air travel,” said Gregory Davis, President and CEO at Eviation. “Our aircraft is an ideal fit for Aerus as a large number of flights in northern Mexico are already less than 250 miles. We are always pleased to receive the endorsement of forward-thinking airlines that are keen to address the climate challenge and be part of the future of aviation.”
Why it’s important: Aerus intends to utilize Alice for middle-mile travel across regions including Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Veracruz, providing historically underserved communities in northern areas of the country with access to carbon-free, cost-effective and convenient air travel. This will markedly expand the global reach of Eviation in a new region, thereby edging early market share in the electric aviation industry and accelerating adoption of sustainable aviation in Mexico.
Source // Eviation press release
U.S Air Force Partners with Electra.aero eSTOLs for Funding Increase up to $85M
Electra.aero, a company developing an ultra short takeoff and landing aircraft, has been selected by the U.S Air Force for a Strategic Fund Increase program. This program will allow Electra.aero to partner with the U.S Air Force to raise up to $85 million through private investments, government funding, and matching Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding. Electra.aero’s all-electric aircraft design...

U.S Air Force Partners with Electra.aero eSTOLs for Funding Increase up to $85M

Electra.aero, a company developing an ultra short takeoff and landing aircraft, has been selected by the U.S Air Force for a Strategic Fund Increase program. This program will allow Electra.aero to partner with the U.S Air Force to raise up to $85 million through private investments, government funding, and matching Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding.
Electra.aero’s all-electric aircraft design will be able to take-off and land in ‘soccer-field’ sized spaces. According to the company, this will give the aircraft helicopter-like versatility, allowing runways to be used in far more locations.
The funding raised by the new program will go towards developing a full-scale pre-production prototype of Electra’s eSTOL aircraft. Through the program, the Air Force will both help Electra connect with additional funding, and will provide testing, evaluation, and preliminary certification of prototypes. Ultimately, the goal of the program will to utilize the Air Force’s resources to bring this aircraft to commercialization.
Electra.aero envisions the aircraft being utilized in regional air mobility, cargo logistics, executive transport, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and more. Already, Electra has received over 1,000 eSTOL aircraft orders from commercial customers around the globe.
John S. Langford, Founder and CEO of Electra, “This STRATFI award reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to dual-use eSTOL technology as a solution for national security and other government missions, and validates Electra’s aircraft design and engineering work to date. The cost and risk advantages of eSTOL technology also make it a smart investment. We are honored to be chosen for this significant award and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Agility Prime team.”
Said Lieutenant Colonel John, leader of the Agility Prime Initiative at the Air Force, “It’s vital that we ensure new advanced air mobility technologies with dual-use applications are developed and manufactured here at home in the U.S. Electra’s eSTOL technology has the potential to deliver valuable logistics and mobility capabilities to the Air Force. We value our partnership with Electra and look forward to supporting their continued development and future transition.”
Why it’s Important: eSTOL (short take-off and landing aircraft) has the potential to revolutionize regional transportation. These aircraft can make air travel far more accessible for many communities by using runways at locations that were previously impossible. Additionally, by being electric, these aircraft can provide regional air transport for far less operational cost than existing airplanes. These factors combined create enormous potential for logistics businesses and travelers to use these aircraft for medium-distance transportation.
Redbird Capital Increases Ownership to 5% Stake in Blade Aerial Mobility
Blade Air Mobility and RedBird Capital Partners announced last week that RedBird has increased its ownership in Blade to more than 5%. Further, the announcement comes as RedBird also announces that partner Andrew Lauck will become a board observer. RedBird’s has been invested in Blade since 2016, and collectively the RedBird and Blade teams have closely collaborated during the development...

Redbird Capital Increases Ownership to 5% Stake in Blade Aerial Mobility

Blade Air Mobility and RedBird Capital Partners announced last week that RedBird has increased its ownership in Blade to more than 5%. Further, the announcement comes as RedBird also announces that partner Andrew Lauck will become a board observer.

RedBird’s has been invested in Blade since 2016, and collectively the RedBird and Blade teams have closely collaborated during the development and growth process of each firm.
Blade’s core operations – last mile air mobility, jet charter, and organ transplant flights – overlap with RedBird’s existing aviation portfolio, and both companies expect to be leading supporters of aviation’s eventual transition towards Electric Vertical Aircraft technology.
RedBird and Blade also plan to work together across RedBird’s portfolio to accelerate Blade’s growth objectives. RedBird’s global sports and media properties provide a natural complement to Blade’s urban air mobility solutions; the partnership could lead to establishment of an organized transportation network similar to Qatar Airway’s increased schedule frequency during the World Cup transporting fans to sporting venues en masse.
“Gerry has developed some of the most exciting platforms in aviation, sports and entertainment and the strengthening of our partnership with RedBird will allow us to supercharge our offerings to Blade fliers in the U.S and Europe,” said Rob Wiesenthal, Blade’s CEO. “The partnership will also allow us to build our fast-growing organ transplant flight business and source acquisitions that can benefit from our global brand, infrastructure and tech platform – ultimately accelerating our timeline to achieving profitability while enhancing our growth trajectory.”
“Blade is an integral part of our broader aviation investment strategy which looks to benefit from current aviation market growth as well as future disruption from the transition of helicopters to Electric Vertical Aircraft,” said Gerry Cardinale, RedBird Founder and Managing Partner.
Why it’s important: The increased investment in BLADE Aerial Mobility by Redbird allows the companies to collaborate and leverage one another’s expertise, while setting the stage for future use cases for aerial mobility aircraft and further strengthening BLADE’s balance sheet. The long time collaboration by CEOs of each company should also help the integration period as Lauck observes Board proceedings and likely holds discussions on preference for future company plans.
Marubeni Pre-Orders 25 Aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, Conducts Proof of Concept Operations in Osaka
Marubeni, a Japanese industrial development company, has signed a deal to purchase 25 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, with options to purchase 200 in total. Marubeni has ambitious plans to develop Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) networks throughout Japan, and other areas in Asia. Already, the company has conducted a proof-of-conceptions operation in Osaka, Japan, using traditional helicopters. It also has...

Marubeni Pre-Orders 25 Aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, Conducts Proof of Concept Operations in Osaka

Marubeni, a Japanese industrial development company, has signed a deal to purchase 25 eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, with options to purchase 200 in total.

Marubeni has ambitious plans to develop Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) networks throughout Japan, and other areas in Asia. Already, the company has conducted a proof-of-conceptions operation in Osaka, Japan, using traditional helicopters. It also has begun making pre-delivery payments on eVTOL aircraft from Vertical.
The two companies have formed a joint working group to plan how eVTOL aircraft and infrastructure can best be integrated into Japan’s existing transportation network.
In particular, Marubeni hopes to launch Aerial Mobility services using Vertical’s eVTOL at the Osaka World Expo 2025. To prepare for the event, the company conducted trials of flights from Osaka heliport to Wakayama using existing helicopters at future expected AAM service prices, to prove the concept for these future services.
Throughout the demonstration trials in Osaka, Marubeni began addressing public awareness, acceptance, and requirements for future eVTOL services in the prefecture.
Satoshi Takechi, general manager, Aviation, Space & Defense Department at Marubeni, said: “I am confident that our continued joint efforts with Vertical Aerospace, such as evaluating the requirements for eVTOL operations and engaging the potential partners under the Joint Working Group, together with this new agreement, will accelerate the development of the AAM market in Japan. Marubeni will further enhance activities to materialise our business, which aims to make air travel more accessible and convenient, while simultaneously contributing to climate change mitigation measures, including low-carbon and decarbonisation initiatives.”
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical founder and CEO, said: “We are delighted to have reached the next milestone in our partnership with Marubeni. Japan is a wonderful country which is embracing the promise of eVTOL, as it will connect cities and regions like never before. We look forward to our joint efforts to build the ecosystem for zero-emissions travel in Japan.”
Why it’s important: The interest and collaboration of Marubeni with Vertical Aerospace further confirms Japan as high-potential launch market for eVTOL operations and overall aerial mobility. Notably, this agreement has made Marubeni the first Japanese company to make a major pre-purchase for eVTOL aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, joining American companies like American Airlines.
Source // Vertical Aerospace
Related:
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- ANA Holdings and Joby Partner to Bring Air Taxi Service to Japan
- American Airlines Solidifies Delivery Slots for Vertical Aerospace eVTOL Aircraft
- Japanese eVTOL developer SkyDrive Receives Order for up to 100 eVTOLs from Pacific Group
ZeroAvia Achieves First Flight of its Hydrogen-Electric Prototype
In a large step forward towards zero-emission aviation, ZeroAvia has accomplished the first flight of its hydrogen-electric Dornier 228 testbed. The flight occured on January 19, 2023 at Cotswold Airport (approx. 2 hours west of London). ZeroAvia successfully carries out the first flight test of its Dornier 228 19-seat testbed in Gloucestershire, UK, marking a pivotal milestone in ZeroAvia’s HyFlyer...

ZeroAvia Achieves First Flight of its Hydrogen-Electric Prototype

In a large step forward towards zero-emission aviation, ZeroAvia has accomplished the first flight of its hydrogen-electric Dornier 228 testbed. The flight occured on January 19, 2023 at Cotswold Airport (approx. 2 hours west of London).
ZeroAvia successfully carries out the first flight test of its Dornier 228 19-seat testbed in Gloucestershire, UK, marking a pivotal milestone in ZeroAvia’s HyFlyer II program.
The retrofit Dornier 228 had its left turboprop engine equipped with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric powertrain and flew for approximately 10 minutes before returning to land. The company’s ZA600 propulsion system includes a 600kW array of batteries and uses several gaseous canisters staged in the fuselage. To date, the 10 minute flight holds the record for the largest and heaviest aircraft platform to fly on hydrogen-electric hybrid power.
All systems performed as expected. This is the largest ZeroAvia engine tested to date, and places the company on a direct path to a certifiable configuration to be finalized and submitted for certification in 2023. This program also serves as key to unlocking speedy technology development for larger aircraft. ZeroAvia’s 2-5 MW powertrain program, already underway, will scale the clean engine technology for up to 90-seat aircraft, with further expansion into narrowbody aircraft demonstrators over the next decade.
Celebrating this remarkable progress, Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia said: “This is a major moment, not just for ZeroAvia, but for the aviation industry as a whole, as it shows that true zero-emission commercial flight is only a few years away. The first flight of our 19-seat aircraft shows just how scalable our technology is and highlights the rapid progress of zero-emission propulsion. This is only the beginning – we are building the future of sustainable, zero climate impact aviation. Our approach is the best solution to accelerate clean aviation at scale. Congratulations to everyone on our team and all of our partners and stakeholders for the collective effort that brought us to this monumental day in history.”
Why it matters: The flight of the ZA600 powertrain is ZeroAvia’s largest to date. As further development and flight tests are conducted, it’s likely that larger powertrains become ready for flight. Doing so will unlock hydrogen-powered regional transportation for turboprop aircraft without any environmental emissions, and pave the way to the future of flight.
Source: ZeroAvia Press Release
Horizon Aircraft performs hover testing of Cavorite X5 hybrid eVTOL
Horizon Aircraft just released the footage of its 50% scale prototype hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft completing initial hover testing. The Cavorite X5 is claimed to feature greater range and payload capabilities via the hybrid-electric powerplant and an in-flight battery array recharging feature. Horizon presented the initial photos of its 50% Scale prototype of Cavorite X5 eVTOL in August of 2022, and...

Horizon Aircraft performs hover testing of Cavorite X5 hybrid eVTOL

Horizon Aircraft just released the footage of its 50% scale prototype hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft completing initial hover testing. The Cavorite X5 is claimed to feature greater range and payload capabilities via the hybrid-electric powerplant and an in-flight battery array recharging feature.
Horizon presented the initial photos of its 50% Scale prototype of Cavorite X5 eVTOL in August of 2022, and by December had accomplished the first hover test. The company has just released footage of the event as seen above.
According to Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon: “This aircraft has exceeded expectations during initial hover testing. It is extremely stable, is capable of full hover at only 65% power, and has hovered with 20% of its fans purposely disabled in order to test system redundancy. This is a large-scale aircraft, with a 22-foot wingspan, over 15 feet in length, and capable of speeds over 175 mph. It continues to yield valuable data that is constantly improving our full-scale design.”
The company has a dedicated flight testing location at the ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel located near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Within the first quarter of 2023, Horizon expects to achieve transition flight with its scale prototype aircraft. The prototype utilizes the same ‘lift and cruise’ design as will the full-scale iteration, meaning that its in-wing rotors lift the aircraft vertically before being propelled forward for cruise by a larger rear-facing propellor.
Why it’s important: Following the the Canadian startup’s return to an independent path, after having separated itself through a stock buy-back from Astro Aerospace, Horizon seems to have made substantial progress on its vehicle development. The company’s funding, partly in the form of a Phase 1 contract from the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX unit, has evidently enabled Horizon to expedite flight testing and make notable progress.
Skyports Drone Services Begins Hiring Project for Contract Drone Hub Operators
Skyports Drone Services announced on January 13th the launch of a large scale employment program aimed at recruiting personnel to support the roll out of drone operations across existing and emerging markets. The program is named the “Hub Operator Program” and intends to find applicants willing to travel for extended periods of time and work at the leading edge of...

Skyports Drone Services Begins Hiring Project for Contract Drone Hub Operators

Skyports Drone Services announced on January 13th the launch of a large scale employment program aimed at recruiting personnel to support the roll out of drone operations across existing and emerging markets. The program is named the “Hub Operator Program” and intends to find applicants willing to travel for extended periods of time and work at the leading edge of drone operations in the company’s key markets for 2023, which include Columbia, UAE, the UK, Kenya, and Korea.

Successful applicants to the Hub Operator Program will work alongside Skyports Drone Services’ team of experienced drone pilots to support flight operations.
Those selected for this program will serve as Hub Operators, who will support through the execution of non-safety critical roles, including: assisting the management and set up of flight hubs to enable efficient and safe aircraft landings and departures and the execution of key checklists required for the safe operation of Skyports Drone Services’ aircraft.
Applicants selected for the program will undergo a training program as well as receive ongoing guidance throughout to ensure they meet Skyports Drone Services high safety standard, and Skyports has stated that some of these operator jobs may be eligible for conversion to a full time role after completion of the program.
Alex Brown, Director, Skyports Drone Services, said of the program: “Demand for drone operations has skyrocketed in the last 18 months and we’re busier than ever with our delivery, survey and monitoring services.
Why it’s important: Skyports’ increased hiring targets for the Drone Hub operator program reinforce the level of demand for skilled persons who can manage drone hubs globally; further, the program will facilitate higher capacity flight operations rates to help develop the necessary knowledge and experience to eventually support larger scale aerial mobility operations of the future.
More information on the program and application information can be found here:
Lobo Leasing Signs LOI with Air Taurus for Pipistrel eVTOL
The market for eVTOL leasing is gaining traction as this week, Lobo has signed a letter of intent to lease 5 unmanned Pipistrel eVTOLs to Air Taurus, Ltd. Air Taurus Limited is an eVTOL operator headquartered in Ireland and a group affiliate of AYR Logistics, a UK-based logistics and aviation services company. Lobo manages aviation investments across the world in...

Lobo Leasing Signs LOI with Air Taurus for Pipistrel eVTOL

The market for eVTOL leasing is gaining traction as this week, Lobo has signed a letter of intent to lease 5 unmanned Pipistrel eVTOLs to Air Taurus, Ltd.
Air Taurus Limited is an eVTOL operator headquartered in Ireland and a group affiliate of AYR Logistics, a UK-based logistics and aviation services company. Lobo manages aviation investments across the world in both the existing helicopter market as well as the fast-developing eVTOL and advanced air mobility sectors. The two will work together to help
Air Taurus will lease Pipistrel’s Nuuva V300 unmanned eVTOL which is capable of a cruise speed of approximately 120 knots with a cargo capacity of up to 300kg and a maximum range of 300km with reserves. This will enable the company to deliver critical supplies and food to underserved and difficult to reach areas.
Gustavo Semeraro, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Lobo Leasing, said: “We are proud to continue at the forefront of this fast-developing market by bringing a pioneering partnership to develop a financial solution to support AYR’s crucial humanitarian work. AYR is a respected and experienced operator, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with them on finalising this letter of intent. The V300 has the potential to transform the humanitarian aviation sector by bringing an entirely new approach to the delivery of long-standing operational requirements”.
Stephen Lyons, Chief Development Officer at AYR, said: “This marks an important step forward in our plans to introduce unmanned aircraft to the humanitarian sector. We are grateful to Lobo Leasing for their support and the shared vision we have for the humanitarian application of unmanned aircraft.”
The LOI is aligned with the Nuuva V300 development program and targets delivery of the first units to Air Taurus between 2025 and 2026.
Why it matters: Many commercial airliners and business jets are leased to customers rather than bought outright. With lessors entering the aerial mobility space, operators will be able to access eVTOL platforms to advance their businesses with lower direct entry costs. Expect to see similar lessors entering the space as eVTOL makers near commercialization of their production models.
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