Results for: sting

EHang has announced that the company has achieved a significant milestone for EH216-S TC by successfully completing all of the planned tests and flights in the last phase of demonstration and verification of compliance, and also completed the definitive TC Flight Test by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”), with unwavering endeavors throughout past 31 months since the CAAC officially accepted the Company’s TC application in January 2021.

This is the last milestone before obtaining the type certificate, and also the result of the unwavering efforts of EHang team. After finishing the remaining procedures, the Company expects to obtain the type certificate of EH216-S Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System from the CAAC soon.

Since the time when CAAC officially accepted the EH216-S TC application in January 2021, EHang has entered into an extensive 30 month long flight test campaign. During this period, EHang made several configuration changes ranging from battery, environment, material, strength, electronics, software, data link to ground control station.

The company now believes they have sufficiently proved that EH216-S meets the safety standards and airworthiness requirements by the CAAC, through scientific approaches, multi-angle demonstrations, rigorous testing, and continuous optimizations.

Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of EHang, commented, “We’ve made remarkable progress in our pursuit of long-term growth. Notably, we are thrilled to announce that we have successfully completed all the planned tests for EH216-S type certification. This achievement marks a significant unprecedented milestone in the global emerging eVTOL industry, underscoring our unwavering dedication and pioneering advantages. Additionally, this sets the stage for us to secure the type certificate soon and proceed with our endeavors to initiate commercial operations. I would like to express my gratitude to the CAAC’s officials and the review team as well as the Company’s airworthiness certification team for their unwavering efforts and persevering spirits. It is their professionalism, exceptional technological expertise, and collaborations that have led us to our impressive achievement today. I believe the remaining procedures will be finished very soon before the official authorization of the type certificate. It will pave the way for our commercial operations in the next stage.”

Why it matters: To date, EHang will be the first TC program for unmanned eVTOL by a major aviation regulatory agency. With many commercial venture and partnerships in place, expect EHang to quickly manufacture and deliver its EH216-S eVTOL to many public and private operators throughout the country.

Source: EHang Press Release

Ribbit, a cargo airline startup specializing in autonomous flight technology, has secured a significant contract worth $1.3 million with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada. The contract will facilitate the testing of self-flying aircraft in remote regions, with the aim of addressing logistical challenges faced by northern communities and businesses. Ribbit has already completed over 200 hours of hands-free flight testing and is poised to advance its operational trials in preparation for commercial service.

Ribbit’s innovative technology presents a promising solution for rural and remote regions that often rely on infrequent flights from larger airplanes. By utilizing smaller autonomous aircraft, Ribbit seeks to revolutionize the economics of air transportation. CEO Carl Pigeon explains that this approach enables the company to offer reliable next-day or two-day service, significantly improving supply chains for businesses and communities in these underserved areas.

Under the terms of the contract, Ribbit will provide Transport Canada with a single autonomous aircraft, along with remote crew and maintenance services, for a period of one year. This collaboration will enable Transport Canada to gather valuable data that will inform future aviation regulations, standards, and policy decisions. Ribbit’s technology will play a vital role in shaping the future of aviation in Canada.

Ribbit’s progress in the autonomous flight sector has garnered significant interest from leading retailers, as indicated by their letters of intent totaling $42 million per year. This level of support showcases the industry’s recognition of the potential benefits and transformative impact of Ribbit’s technology. Ribbit aims to leverage these partnerships to create a future where anyone can ship and receive goods quickly and reliably, regardless of their location.

While Ribbit initially focuses on shipping time-sensitive goods to northern Canada, the company envisions a broader application of its autonomous aircraft technology. COO Jeremy Wang notes that their technology has the potential to revolutionize not only air cargo operations but also asset monitoring and maritime patrol. By understanding customer operations deeply and reimagining them with autonomy, Ribbit aims to redefine transportation possibilities.

Why it’s important: Ribbit, a venture-backed cargo airline startup, has secured a substantial contract with Transport Canada to conduct autonomous flight testing in remote regions. With their commitment to revolutionize supply chains and address logistical challenges, Ribbit’s technology has the potential to transform the way goods are shipped and received in underserved areas. Through collaboration with government, community, and private partners, Ribbit is actively working towards making transportation accessible to all.

Los Angeles-based electric aviation company, Surf Air Mobility, is expanding regional air travel through electrification. The company aims to develop powertrain technology with commercial partners to bring electrified aircraft to the market at scale, reducing costs and environmental impact. Surf Air Mobility recently announced its plan to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange as a publicly traded company, using the ticker symbol “SRFM.” This listing is expected to occur during the week of July 24th, following its acquisition of regional carrier Southern Airways.

Surf Air Mobility has been supporting the development of hybrid and fully electric propulsion systems for Cessna Grand Caravans. The goal is to retrofit existing turboprop aircraft and electrify regional plane fleets, promoting sustainability in aviation.

To strengthen its financial position, Surf Air Mobility secured an agreement with investment group Gem Global Yield. Gem has committed to purchasing 1 million shares of Surf stock at $25 per share upon the company’s public listing, providing potential funding of up to $400 million. This collaboration will support Surf Air Mobility’s future projects.

Operating as a membership-based platform, Surf Air Mobility allows members to book flights with third-party operators in California. The company is recognized for delivering exceptional user experiences in the regional air mobility segment.

By acquiring Southern Airways Express, Surf Air Mobility plans to establish a comprehensive regional airline network across the United States. This network will serve cities across various regions, including the mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, West Coast, New England, and Hawaii.

Surf Air Mobility filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5th, setting the stage for its stock exchange listing. The completion of the acquisition with Southern Airways is a requirement for this process.

Why it’s important: The listing represents a fresh start for Surf Air Mobility after the termination of its previous merger deal. Unlike an initial public offering, a direct listing allows shareholders to sell shares directly to the public. This approach provides flexibility and adaptability to market conditions. Surf Air Mobility’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange marks a significant milestone, as the company drives the development and deployment of electrified aircraft. By prioritizing sustainability and exceptional travel experiences, Surf Air Mobility is poised to revolutionize regional air travel.

Related:

• Surf Air Mobility Works toward Electric future with AeroTEC and MagniX; Announces IPO
• Surf Air Mobility to Order 150 Grand Caravan EX Aircraft for Hybrid-Electric Product Offering

Electra Aero has unveiled the test vehicle for its hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, the first of its kind, marking a significant milestone in Electra’s mission to help decarbonize aviation and revolutionize urban and regional transportation. The bright yellow aircraft is named the Electra Model EL-2 “Goldfinch” in celebration of the beloved, nimble American Goldfinch bird indigenous to North America.

Electra’s eSTOL technology demonstrator (TD) is the world’s first blown lift aircraft using distributed electric propulsion, which enables the airplane to take off and land in very short spaces. Electra’s proprietary blown lift technology uses eight motors to provide additional wing lift, and hybrid-electric power that provides internal recharging capabilities for aircraft batteries, eliminating the need for new ground infrastructure.

The two-seat piloted TD aircraft showcases the Electra eSTOL technology at full scale and will be flown this summer in an extensive flight test program to track performance and inform the design of Electra’s 9-passenger production aircraft. The company conducted a fully integrated test of its proprietary hybrid-electric propulsion system last year.

“In the three years since we founded Electra, we’ve designed our eSTOL aircraft, validated our blown lift technology with a sub-scale demonstrator, and run a fully integrated test of our 150-kilowatt hybrid-electric generator at full scale,’’ said John S. Langford, Founder and CEO of Electra.aero. “Now we’re ready to test the entire system with this technology demonstrator aircraft. We can’t wait to fly this plane and show the world what our eSTOL aircraft can do.”

Electra’s future eSTOL production aircraft plans to deliver the operational flexibility of a helicopter with the safety and economics of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Electra plans to fly a prototype of the 9-passenger production aircraft in 2025, with certification and entry into service in 2028 under FAA Part 23 regulation. Electra has designed the eSTOL aircraft so that hydrogen or battery-electric propulsion systems can be used in the future when those technologies are commercially viable.

“Electra was founded to build electric aircraft that make sense,” added JP Stewart, Electra Vice President and General Manager. “We are meeting market demand for cleaner, cost-effective aircraft that can fly people and cargo closer to where they want to go, and this technology demonstrator aircraft will prove that our eSTOL technology makes that possible.”

Electra currently holds letters of intent from more than 30 customers for over 1200 of its 9-passenger production eSTOL aircraft, totaling more than $4 billion in market demand. The company recently won a $30 million U.S. Air Force funding award as part of a larger $85 million funding effort. The aircraft was rolled out at Electra’s development facility at the Manassas, Virginia Regional Airport in a ceremony that included guests from the aviation industry, government, the investor community, and Electra customers.

Why it’s important: This announcement from Electra marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to help decarbonize aviation and revolutionize urban and regional transportation. Further, it sends a signal to Electra’s customers that the program is progressing toward its planned delivery milestones and thereby maintains customer confidence.

Eve Air Mobility (“Eve”) (NYSE: EVEX, EVEXW), a leading player in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry, has made significant strides in its testing phase as it moves closer to achieving key program milestones. Eve’s commitment to a building-blocks approach helps ensure the continuous enhancement of its technology and eVTOL aircraft, allowing for the delivery of a highly effective product to the market.

Eve Air Mobility, a spinoff from EmbraerX, is creating a unique eVTOL aircraft focused on efficiency, safety, low-noise profiles, and ultimately on making short-distance air travel more acccessible.

Eve recently completed propeller tests on its propeller rig in Brazil, focusing on measuring aerodynamic performance and sound properties for modeling and development purposes. The configuration and characteristics of propeller blades, such as torsion, shape, and quantity, are crucial in defining the vibration, load, and sound profile of the eVTOL. Additionally, they impact the energy requirements of the aircraft. By testing multiple models, Eve’s engineers are striving to enhance efficiency, reduce sound footprint, and lower operating costs.

Above: Eve truck testing rig, used for testing sound profiles and performance

In another significant development, Eve has commenced testing its vertical lift rotors on a specially designed truck-mounted platform. This mobile testbed aims to evaluate the performance of the rotors during the transition phase of flight. Eve’s engineering team is actively gathering data on the aerodynamic characteristics of the rotors in forward flight. The eVTOL by Eve employs a lift and cruise configuration, utilizing dedicated rotors for vertical flight and fixed wings for cruising. This configuration prioritizes safety, efficiency, reliability, and certifiability while simultaneously reducing operational costs and additional maintenance and repair expenses.

Alice Altissimo, the Vice President of Program Management and Operation at Eve, expressed satisfaction with the company’s program development activities thus far. Altissimo stated, “We are very pleased with our program development activities to date and making very good progress as we move toward the selection of primary suppliers and finalize the definition of our aircraft systems architecture. We continue to invest, and our team is working hard with the goal of developing a mature aircraft for certification and entry into service in 2026.”

Anticipating progress in the near future, Eve expects to finalize the selection of primary equipment suppliers in the first half of 2023. Subsequently, the company plans to commence the assembly of its first full-scale eVTOL prototype in the second half of 2023, followed by an extensive test campaign in 2024. Eve’s eVTOL is scheduled to achieve certification and enter service by 2026.

Collaborating with various partners, Eve is dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. Benefiting from a start-up mindset and backed by Embraer S.A.’s over 50-year history of aerospace expertise, Eve is taking a holistic approach to advancing the UAM ecosystem. Alongside its advanced eVTOL project, Eve provides a comprehensive global services and support network, as well as a unique air traffic management solution.

Why it’s important: By continuously enhancing its eVTOL technology through rigorous testing and collaborating with key partners, Eve is bringing its product closer to certification and commercialization. These developments signify the Eve’s commitment creating an eVTOL aircraft that can be certified in all parts of the world, and can be used to create reliable and versatile aerial mobility networks. By bringing its immense wealth of expertise to this new industry, Embraer’s Eve has immense potential to create an advanced and high-functioning aircraft, as well as the networks and software systems to help operate it.

Source // sUAS News, AAM international

Related:

• Kenya Airways to Purchase 40 Embraer EVE eVTOL Aircraft (June 2022)
• Ascent Partners with Embraer for 100 Eve eVTOLs (August 2021)
• FlyBIS to Purchase 40 eVTOLs from Eve (December 2022)
• EVE, Embraer-backed eVTOL startup, now trading on NYSE (July 2022)

Archer has completed another round of wind tunnel testing at the RUAG Large Subsonic Wind Tunnel in Emmen, Switzerland. The six-week campaign collected data to validate Midnight’s aerodynamic models, load predictions, performance, stability/control characteristics.

The data will be used to validate against full-scale results in Archer’s upcoming flight test program of its ‘Midnight’ eVTOL. DeHarde, a German based model creator, built a 27.6% scale of Midnight for the wind tunnel testing.

The purpose of this test campaign was to develop a comprehensive dataset to validate Archer’s engineering design tools and to confirm the aerodynamic predictions of the Midnight eVTOL. Overall, 878 measurement sweeps were made by varying model angle of attack and sideslip and capturing force and moment trends for over 400 different model configurations. These model changes included varying control surface deflections, adjusting forward boom tilt angles, and stepping through an airframe component build-up. This build-up started with a bare wing/fuselage and then successively added booms, landing gear, tail, and stopped lifter propellers. This build-up approach allowed Archer to investigate and clearly understand the incremental effects of each airframe component.

The results further reinforce confidence in the capability and performance of the Midnight design. For example, cruise drag predictions trend extremely well with test data, which in turn further validates the confidence in Midnight’s range. The measured stability characteristics reinforce that the V-tail, flaperons and ruddervators are correctly sized and that they have adequate aerodynamic control power, while also confirming that control surface hinge moments meet requirements and that our actuators are properly sized. Testing for simulated ice accretion has given the team a good understanding of the speed additives necessary to protect the aircraft from performance degradations that we would expect to see during an inadvertent icing encounter.

The company has also completed series of wind tunnel testing at Politecnico di Milan, University of Florida, and University of Notre Dame.

Why it matters: Wind tunnel testing represents a significant risk-reduction and validation milestone for Archer. With the tests, Archer can nearly replicate real-life flight conditions and validate various components in the design/configuration of Midnight. This data will tremendously in finalizing the flight test configuration and contribute to the timely entry to service of Archer’s Midnight eVTOL.

Source // Archer Aviation

Related:

• United Airlines Completes $10M Pre-Payment for 100 Archer eVTOL Aircraft (August 2022)
• Archer Unveils its Production Aircraft, Midnight (November 2022)
• Archer Achieves Forward Flight Transition with Maker (December 2022)

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.

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.

Last week, Volocopter revealed a fully integrated vertiport terminal for urban air mobility operations of the future. The vertiport was shared via a launch event which provided an opportunity to demonstrate the end-to-end passenger journey, from arrival at the vertiport terminal to aircraft boarding.

The vertiport testbed will be located at Pontoise-Cormeilles, was designed by Skyports in collaboration with Groupe ADP, and will be aircraft agnostic. Volocopter plans to utilize this new vertiport as a chance to test the full vertical integration of aerial mobility ecosystem. Most importantly, it facilitates collaboration between the key ecosystem partners, including technology pioneers, regulators and local partners such as the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), suppliers and airlines. The vertiport will specifically enable testing of:

• Vehicle integration, ground movement procedures, and charging procedures
• Flight scheduling, situational awareness, and information exchange
• Passenger journey through the terminal, including security and check-in processes, biometric technologies (provided by SITA), passenger dwell time, and aircraft boarding.

A model of the VoloCity, which is being developed as Volocopter’s first certified aircraft for commercial services, was featured at the launch in addition to a crewed test flight of the 2X model – the only aircraft currently authorized for eVTOL test flights in France. The series of demonstrations by Skyports and Volocopter also featured displays of flight monitoring capabilities and digital operating systems, including Skyports’ vertiport operating systems and the VoloIQ.

Why it’s important: Volocopter’s partnership with Skyports and Groupe ADP will serve to advance integration testing for aerial mobility efforts of the future and also flush out advanced higher level operational challenges of vertiport implementation. While a great deal of these advances can be simulated and evaluated via analysis, representative testing of the end-to-end operational spectrum within aerial mobility and the associated checkouts of full (or representative) missions will help better prepare the industry for initial rollout of urban air mobility services.

Blueflite, a new eVTOL company developing mid-size autonomous UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), has awarded a mobility testing grand from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Blueflite’s mid-size UAV concept

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, an organization responsible for business development, job awareness and community development in collaboration with the state government, has created an effort to accelerate the development of electric mobility technologies in the State. In partnership with the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrifications and the Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium, the organization has now provided over $100,000 USD investment matches with Blueflite to develop its aircraft.

Founded in 2018, Blueflite is developing a ‘workhorse drone’ for affordable deliveries, naming its full product as a ‘drone based logistics platform’. Blueflite envisions its product providing affordable, cost-effective deliveries of items like as prepared food, groceries, spare parts for energy and maritime industries, and re-supply and other logistics operations in remote locations. In particular, Blueflite claims that its aircraft could reduce costs by a factor of 5 as compared to current road-based solutions for many of these last mile services.

Said James McClearen, CTO of Blueflite, “What we are building here is cutting-edge robotics technology to enable the transport of goods via drone. It combines advanced AI software, novel materials, and lightweight design. Blueflite’s technology went through a several year development cycle and is increasingly seeing commercialization.”

Dr Noppel, CEO of Blueflite, commented, “Michigan is a premier location for young companies like us to scale, commercialize and grow mobility technologies. Our technology is ready as the drone industry is gaining in momentum.”

Watch a video of Blueflite’s small-scale prototype in flight below:

Why it’s important: As eVTOL and autonomous aerial mobility technologies edge closer to reality, some U.S states are taking action to ensure that they are at the forefront of this new economic industry. Notably, companies in other countries such as EHang in China, and Germany’s Volocopter are beginning to develop these new technologies, meaning that parts of the U.S government would do well to begin laying this groundwork. Blueflite’s product, while in early development, has a well thought-out design that remains realistic for near-future commercialization while still providing excellent function and clear economic value.

Source // Blueflite, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Related:

• EHang Unveils Heavy-lift AAV for Short-to-Medium-Haul Aerial Logistics (October 2020)
• Mayman Aerospace debuts Speeder Air Utility Vehicle (AUV) at Draper Venture CEO Summit (July 2022)
• Wingcopter Set to Deploy 12,000 Delivery Drones in Africa (May 2022)
• FedEx to Test Autonomous Drone Cargo Delivery with Elroy Air (April 2022)
• Skyports to Bring BVLOS Drone Deliveries to Latin America (October 2021)
• Volocopter and DB Schenker Conduct First Proof of Concept for VoloDrone Operations (July 2021)

Iris Automation shared late last week that the company will be hosting a BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) sUAS demonstration in conjunction with the University of Nevada Reno / Nevada Autonomous program, and UAV pioneers Censys Technologies that will outline the technological progress occurring that’s enabling this type of operation. Autonomous AAM aircraft will require effective BVLOS technology in the future to operate without pilots, and a natural throughput from drone to eVTOL applications of this tech will likely occur over the next decade.

The event highlights Censys Technologies’ Sentaero BVLOS, Sentourion Mobile Command Center, CensWise Vegetation Management Software, and Iris Automation Casia I (Onboard Detect and Avoid) and Casia G (Ground-based) Aircraft Detection Technology to show the different applications and ways the platforms can be used for a multitude of business and public-oriented situations.

The event will occur at the Reno-Stead Airport, 4895 Texas Avenue, Reno, Nevada 89506, Second Floor Conference Room, and run from 8AM to 1230PM on Friday, July 1st.

The event is open to all commercial drone users, companies and public safety agencies. Key highlights include:

• Demonstration Review – Censys Product Overview Briefing/Trailer

• Casia G ground-based detect and avoid solution demonstration – Iris Automation (Flying – Demonstration)

• Brandon Karr – Pearland, Texas Police Department – Responsible for sUAS and US Leader in DPS (recently returned from Interpol Leadership Discussions)

The event will also include discussions with Trevor Parrott, Censys Technologies CEO, and Jon Damush, Iris Automation CEO (Remote).

Nevada is designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as one of seven states to serve as a center for the development and testing of unmanned autonomous vehicles and systems. Nevada Autonomous manages Nevada’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site activities statewide, bringing leadership, know-how and a focus on safety to each opportunity and test.

Why it’s important: This event will showcase some of the emerging technology that will eventually be used in aerial mobility applications for autonomous flights beyond visual line of sight, and also help to pre-empt conversations on future integration and regulatory considerations for successful, safe implementation.

More event information: https://www.unr.edu/ncar/programs/nevada-autonomous

Joby Aviation has announced that its full-size pre-production aircraft has successfully demonstrated its revolutionary low noise profile, following acoustic testing completed with NASA.

Following analysis of the data obtained over two weeks of testing as part of NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign, Joby’s aircraft was shown to have met the revolutionary low noise targets the Company set for itself.

The aircraft registered the equivalent of 45.2 A-weighted decibels (dBA) from an altitude of 1640 feet (500 meters) at 100 knots airspeed, a sound level which Joby believes will barely be perceptible against the ambient environment of cities.

NASA engineers also measured the aircraft’s acoustic profile during planned take-off and landing profiles to be below 65 dBA, a noise level comparable to normal conversation, at a distance of 330 feet (100 meters) from the flight path.

“We’re thrilled to show the world just how quiet our aircraft is by working with NASA to take these measurements,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby.

“With an aircraft this quiet, we have the opportunity to completely rethink how we live and travel today, helping to make flight an everyday reality in and around cities. It’s a game-changer.”

All measurements were conducted using NASA’s Mobile Acoustics Facility, with more than 50 pressure ground-plate microphones placed in a grid array at Joby’s Electric Flight Base near Big Sur, CA.

To measure the Joby aircraft’s acoustic footprint during overhead flight, it flew over the grid array six times at an airspeed of 100 knots and a low altitude to measure as much of the aircraft’s noise above the background ambience as possible. Data recorded from the field of omni-directional microphones was then processed by NASA into an “acoustic hemisphere,” representing the sound emission in all directions below the aircraft at a 100 ft radius. Joby then applied standard processing techniques for spherical spreading and atmospheric attenuation, resulting in an average free-field overhead flight acoustic reading of 45.2 dBA at 1640 feet (500 meters).

Joby also conducted more than 20 take-off and landing tests above the grid array, using a variety of acceleration rates and climb angles to allow NASA to capture acoustics representative of likely operational procedures. This data will be used to adjust flight software and take-off and landing procedures for further low-noise optimization.

From day one, the Joby aircraft was designed with acoustics in mind, with the number of propellers and blades, blade shape and radius, tip speeds, and disk loading of the aircraft all selected to minimize its acoustics footprint and improve the character of the sound produced. Each of the six propellers can also individually adjust its tilt, rotational speed, and blade pitch to avoid blade-vortex interactions that contribute to the acoustic footprint of traditional helicopters.

More details regarding procedures and measurements will be released by both Joby and NASA in technical papers to be presented at industry conferences this summer.

Why it matters: A key roadblock to the wide acceptance of eVTOL technologies will be lower acoustic impact on urban environments than traditional substitutes. Until now, noise performance figures have been mostly marketing gimmicks, lacking real tests. With this series of NASA testing, Joby has proved it has a craft capable of blending into the noise characteristics of an urban environment without disrupting life below.

Joby has announced today it has begun conformity testing with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the first step of many towards achieving a type certificate, and a significant milestone for the program. Joby’s first series of conformity tests, observed and documented by an on-site FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER), were completed this week at Toray Advanced Composites USA’s facility in Morgan Hill, CA.

The purpose of the tests was to demonstrate the material strength of composites similar to those used on Joby’s aircraft. The resultant data will form the foundation for future testing of structural components of the aircraft as Joby progresses through the type certification process.

“After years of development and company testing, we’re excited to formally begin the process of conformity testing,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “We began engaging with the FAA in 2015 to lay the groundwork for certification of our aircraft, and today we move closer to bringing fast, clean and convenient aerial ridesharing to the world.”

In pursuit of an FAA type certificate, Joby will have to demonstrate their compliance with FAA regulations following completion and receive approval of requirements definitions and compliance planning. During this phase, Joby will complete thousands of inspections and tests to demonstrate the airworthiness and safety of its aircraft before receiving a type certificate from the FAA.

In November, Joby completed its first FAA part conformity inspection as expected, confirming that the batch of test coupons used in the “for credit” testing conformed to the attributes and specifications of their associated design data as intended for the aircraft’s type certification.

The coupons, constructed using a toughened epoxy and state-of-the-art carbon fiber, result in a material that is lighter and stronger than existing aerospace-grade composite, which is ideal for a high-performance eVTOL aircraft.

“Entering this stage of testing demonstrates that we’re capable of manufacturing composite parts in accordance with their design, our quality system is capable of producing conforming composite parts for the aircraft, and that we have the requisite traceability and design verification processes in place to progress toward our type and production certifications,” said Lina Spross, quality and supply chain lead at Joby.

In 2020, Joby became the first and only eVTOL company to sign a G-1 (stage 4) certification basis with the FAA, having received an initial (stage 2) signed G-1 from the FAA in 2019. In parallel with this work, the company continues to make progress with the FAA on defining the means of compliance that will apply to its aircraft as it progresses with certification efforts.

Why it matters: Conducting certification testing with the FAA is a significant accomplishment for Joby Aviation; not only because it is a key hurdle in commercializing an aerospace product, but also because it means the FAA recognizes the maturity of the design and manufacturing practices used by Joby. Currently, Joby is a leader in this phase, meaning it has an excellent competitive advantage toward being first to market with its aircraft. As a certification plan is agreed upon and finalized, expect to see larger scale tests of systems and flight profiles.

Last month, uAvionix announced the successful completion of the first series of flights with its newly developed SkyLink Control & Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) C-band radio, intended to meet the needs of safety-critical & BVLOS (Beyond Line-of-Sight Operations) missions as well as of operators and manufacturers with airframe certification in mind. The flight tests were conducted at a range of up to 25 miles at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) locations south of Grand Forks, ND. In August, uAvionix announced FAA and FCC approvals for testing C-band CNPC radios at several locations.

Regulators increasingly focus on the performance of safety-critical control data and recent RTCA standards recommend separating it from payload data for scalable commercial Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS) operations. While most UAS still operate on public spectrum such as ISM or 4G, current BVLOS waivers are primarily focused on recovery procedures to deal with the probability of a lost C2 link.

uAvionix SkyLink CNPC radios and the paired SkyLine software application are entirely focused on preventing lost links, through aviation-grade software & hardware design, full compliance with RTCA Minimal Operational Performance Standards (MOPS DO-362A), and a network management system that monitors network and radio link health, built to Minimum Aviation System Performance Standards (MAPS DO-377A).

“A reliable and predictable C2 link built to aviation standards (e.g., RTCA DO-362A) is a critical component in obtaining scalable BVLOS operations,” said Jim Cieplak, Program Manager of Vantis. “The uAvionix SkyLink radios and SkyLine Command & Control infrastructure are an essential component of the Vantis deployment to obtain a path to commercially viable BVLOS operations in the State of North Dakota.”

The SkyLink C Band CNPC radio is fully DO-362A compliant utilizing key concepts such as the ability to accept dynamic frequency inputs for Frequency Allocation Management (FAM) and protected aviation spectrum in order to provide a stable and predictable C2 link performance. SkyLink radios are built to anticipated TSO C-213A standards and targeted at demanding customers including those pursuing airframe certification.

“Together with our partners at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, VANTIS, Thales, the FAA, and MITRE, we completed this significant milestone which will propel commercial UAS operations”, said Christian Ramsey, President of uAvionix. “We maintained a stable connection at a range of well over 25 miles at a 400’ operating altitude with a DO-362A compliant radio system, a first of its kind”

Why it matters: SkyLink technologies provides the data exchange required for safety-critical operations to control, monitor, and manage a UAS in real-time. SkyLink radios seamlessly integrate with other certified avionics designed with airframe certification in mind. SkyLink offers eVTOL and UAS manufacturers a certification-compatible solution for reliable beyond visual line of sight radio communications and control. With the current debate of 5G and its effects on commercial aviation operations, developing safe and redundant datalinks for scaled UAS operations will be critical to the UAS industry’s success.

UK-based aerial mobility company Bellwether Industries has begun flight testing of a half-scale prototype of their Volar eVTOL, and will soon release footage. For now, the aircraft is intended for private ownership, and is meant to serve infracity urban travel needs. Bellwether in particular emphasizes the importance of performance, a compact profile, city adaptability, an enclosed propulsion system, and environmental friendliness. 

Representatives from Bellwether state, “We believe that people commuting in the sky is inevitable within the next 10 years. Therefore, we created Volar for anyone to fly anytime and anywhere to any point. The ultimate goal of Bellwether industries is to build a new three-dimensional lifestyle, and to lead the world toward comprehensive urban mobility.”

Fully electric, the full version of the Volar will be designed to reach speeds of 220 kph (135 mph) with a range of about 60-90 minutes, and will have a seating capacity of 4-5. So far, Bellwether intends to market the Volar to private ownership customers, but the eVTOL could potentially see uses in many other applications as well.

Bellwether’s Volar eVTOL

Many details about the Volar have not yet been released, but Bellwether has indicated that in addition to previously stated capabilities, the Volar will have a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kg (1320 lb), and will initially be priced at roughly the cost of a luxury jet. 

Bellwether’s Volar eVTOL

Why it’s important: Bellwether is one of the latest companies to debut its modern solution to current transportation issues in urban environments. With a sleek design and exciting intended capabilities, Bellwether’s Volar could be a notable personal aircraft within the next decade.

Source // New Atlas