The Cora eVTOL has been under development for almost ten years, and this week, aspiring air taxi operator Wisk signed an MoU with the New Zealand government in to conduct flight trials in Canterbury. The flight will represent the world’s first full airspace integration trial of an autonomous eVTOL.

Cora was developed by aerospace company Kittyhawk, which gave form to Wisk soon after forming a partnership with both Boeing and Air New Zealand. Ever since Wisk’s creation in 2019, the company has been working tirelessly to make its air taxi vision a reality, starting with New Zealand.

The Wisk Cora on the ground, making its many propellors visible.

The New Zealand Government announced in October of 2019 that it would establish an industry-wide Airspace Integration Trial program to safely test and demonstrate unmanned aircraft. Wisk, based in the United States and New Zealand, is the first company to join this program.

Said New Zealand’s Minister of Research Science and Innovation Hon. Dr. Megan Woods, “This trial is the first of its kind and Wisk’s innovative technology and commitment to New Zealand make them an ideal partner for advancing the future of travel in New Zealand and the world.”

Wisk CEO commented: “We are delighted to now have a signed agreement with the New Zealand Government, which will propel Cora’s entry to the air taxi market. We see this agreement as a sign of confidence in our product and abilities to develop and deliver a safe and reliable air taxi service, starting in New Zealand.”

The Airspace Integration Trial program is being centrally managed by New Zealand’s  Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Innovative Partnerships team, working alongside the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Transport and other key stakeholders to support industry partners to take their technology from testing to in-service operations.

Why it’s important: With this upcoming cutting-edge integration trail, Wisk puts itself forward as one of the world’s top budding eVTOL air taxi providers. By being first in New Zealand, Wisk will soon have a chance to fully develop and test an every-day urban air taxi network. Originally backed by Larry Page, Cora has come far since its inception.

Related: 

Wisk’s Newest Details on the Cora Air Taxi

Tactical Robotics, a developer of enclosed rotor VTOL technology in Israel, has signed an agreement with Boeing to explore both the production options and commercial applications of Tactical Robotic’s autonomous aerial vehicles.

The Tactical Robotics autonomous ‘Comorant’ is about the same dimensions as a Humvee

So far, Tactical has designed and prototyped a heavy-duty unmanned VTOL called the Comorant (seen above). The single-engine aircraft is autonomous or can be remotely controlled, and is purpose-built for emergency responses and important operations. Unique to Tactical Robotic’s design is its enclosed rotors, which, according to the company, will enable it to traverse and access some types of terrain (e.g. mountainous, wooded, urban) that helicopters may have more difficulty with. Additionally, enclosed rotors have enhanced safety for people surrounding them.

Through the new agreement, Boeing and Tactical Robotics hope to work together on jointly “developing, producing and marketing” aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities. Boeing has already developed a passenger air vehicle prototype with its new subsidiary Aurora Flight sciences, and has partnered with Uber Elevate, so technology from Tactical may contribute to Boeing’s air taxi ambitions.

The stated mission of Tactical Robotic’s parent company, Urban Aeronautics, is to”create, manufacture and market a family of VTOL, multi-mission, utility aircraft known that are capable of operating safely in complex urban and natural environments”. Urban Aeronautics, which has existed for over 35 years and is lead by Dr. Rafi Yoeli, is using what it calls ‘Fancraft’ technology to design vehicles for passenger use as well as emergency response. UrbanAero’s other subsidiary, Metro Skyways, is developing the CityHawk eVTOL for urban use, which follows a similar design to the Comorant. Fancraft technology uses ducted rotors for lift, and transitions to accelerated forward flight by diverting more of the airstream rearwards.

Urban Aeronautics & Metro Skyway’s CityHawk, which uses the same ducted fan technology as in the Tactical Robotics Comorant.

Why it’s important: Tactical Robotics brings forward a new kind of VTOL technology in the form of enclosed ducted fans used for both lift and forward acceleration. This fan style is unique to Tactical Robotics, and may offer important benefits that open-rotor VTOLs lack. Through this new partnership, Boeing will be able to explore the potential of this technology, as well as eventually offer it in some of their commercially offered aircraft and services.

EHang’s newest White Paper explores urban air Mobility vehicle and infrastructure design, applications of technology, the current regulatory landscape, and the path towards commercialization. 

The EHang 216 AAV, which has already undergone many test flights and is nearly ready for commercial launch.

EHang (Nasdaq: EH), one of the world’s leading autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) technology companies, has published its first white paper on the future of transportation and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The white paper explores UAM’s potential to transform transportation globally with insights into vehicle design, an overview of potential applications and the current regulatory landscape, and recommendations for how to optimize UAM’s path towards commercialization.

“UAM and the widespread use of passenger and cargo AAVs will transform how people and goods move around urban areas,” said Mr. Huazhi Hu, the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of EHang. “The successful deployment of AAVs will help cities improve efficiency, enhance safety, cut costs, and become more environmentally sustainable.”

A clip from EHang’s first U.S trial flight in North Carolina.

EHang’s key points from the white paper include:

• UAM will be safer, more effective, and more immediately deployable if it structurally resembles an on-demand bus system with centralized oversight and set point-to-point routes rather than a taxi system with diffuse routes.

• The success of UAM will depend on commercial operations that are centrally managed. This is a different model from the traditional airline industry in which hundreds of airlines globally compete with each other, leading to smaller margins.

• Key characteristics of a successful UAM system include: autonomous services (i.e. pilotless passenger and cargo transportation); point-to-point, straight-line, fixed air routes; a centralized command-and-control platform that manages all AAV flights within a certain area; a shared economy (i.e. no individual ownership of AAVs); and a reliance on green energy.

• In order to ensure that safety remains the top priority for vehicle design, AAVs need to include: power source redundancy (e.g. by having multiple motors and propellers); completely autonomous operations; back-up / duplicate flight control, communications, and navigation systems.

• Based on EHang’s modeling for future commercial operations, a straight-line trip on an AAV could be cheaper for the user than a current New York City taxi ride covering the same distance, all while still being profitable to the operator. Furthermore, the model used is highly conservative since it does not capture the efficiency gains of future economies of scale, improved battery technologies, etc.

• While the AAV conversation has mostly focused on urban spaces, there are broad non-urban applications for services currently being provided by helicopters, including in search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore operations, oil and gas, firefighting, forestry, power-line repair and surveys, agriculture and pest control, media, aerial photography, and law enforcement.

• The successful development of a UAM ecosystem will require deep collaboration between UAM vehicle providers, UAM network operators, infrastructure developers, telecommunication network partners, city, regional and national governments, etc.

Read the full white paper from EHang here.

EHang has already commercialized its passenger-grade AAVs, having delivered 38 units to customers as of December 5, 2019, and is actively working to make UAM an everyday reality in cities worldwide. To date, EHang has safely conducted over two thousand test flights both inside and outside of China to ensure that its AAVs operate safely and reliably. 

Why it’s important: With the new white paper, EHang has joined the likes of Uber Elevate, Volocopter, and Airbus on outlining its vision for the future of aerial mobility through white paper. The Chinese company has certainly earned credibility recently, having recently opened on the NASDAQ with a $662 million valuation, and completing its first trial flight in the U.S in North Carolina. With the publishing of this white paper along with its other recent successes, EHang marks its place among the top aerial mobility companies worldwide.

Other recent news about EHang:

• EHang Successfully Completes First U.S Trial Flight
• EHang’s IPO Results in $662 Million Valuation
• EHang takes new step towards launching pilotless air taxi route in Guangzhou

Transcend Air, based in Boston MA, has partnered with  design studio Huslig Collective to create custom Reserved Editions of its Vy400 aircraft.

The Vy400 is Transcend Air’s VTOL aircraft, which will be available both as an air taxi service of the U.S and privately for $6M USD.

Transcend Air’s Vy400 tilt-wing aircraft has been in development since 2009, with an official company formed in 2017. Well on its way to market release, the Vy400 can fly up to 450 miles at 400mph, with 2,190 lbs of useful payload and cabin pressurization up to 8,000 ft.

In the company’s latest news, Transcend Air is offering refined interior options for the Vy400 to make it spacious, luxurious, and comfortable for hour-long flights. For this, it has partnered with renowned design firm Huslig Collective to custom-make interiors according to Reserved Edition buyers’ specifications.

Said Huslig Collective President Mark Huslig:

Great design is a dialog between the imagined and the possible. The Vy 400R opens up new possibilities for flight, and we already imagine new ways to make that experience more incredible…. We can’t wait to help personalize the completions with their new owners.”

A look at a possible custom interior for the Transcend Air Vy400R.

Transcend Air chose Huslig collective for its depth of experience in creating remarkable and innovative vehicle interiors. According to Transcend Air COO Peter Schmidt, Huslig was the “perfect choice” to work with Transcend’s Reserved Edition customers. He added, “From helicopters to jets, their creations are outstanding and truly unique.”

An Airbus H-160 helicopter interior design by Huslig Collective.

Forty positions are currently available for orders of the Vy400R. Base versions of the Vy400 won’t be available until 2021. Anyone interested in the ordering a Vy400R can contact Transcend Air at contact@transcend.aero. 

Why it’s important: By positioning itself to enter the market early with a luxury aircraft, Transcend Air has begun to mark its territory in the city to city VTOL transport segment. While other companies such as EHang, Volocopter, and Uber focus on affordable intra-city transport, Transcend Air proves variation in the VTOL marketing by targeting longer distances and more affluent customers. Providing a luxury version of the Vy400 will do much to help push this new industry segment forward.

Related: See Leonardo’s Helicopters’ Luxury tilt-rotor AW609.

Sources // Transcend Air, Huslig Collective, Business Wire

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With a great deal of ambition, imaginative on-road vehicle designer Ludovic Lazareth and his team have created a flying motorcycle.

Lazareth’s “Moto Volante” is powred by four small jet engines.

The four wheels of the Moto Volante each have a JetCat turbine (developed by NASA) at their center, and fold out from the vehicle’s body to become the four lift points of the aircraft. Riders pull a switch and turn a few knobs on the control panel, and the wheels fold out into the horizontal flight position while small landing legs come out from the vehicle’s underside. From there, riders can soar through the sky for up to ten minutes.

Electric on the ground and jet powered in the air, the Moto Volante was built to challenge the limits of what motorcycles can be. Italian designer Ludovic Lazareth has been designing innovative motorcycles within his own company since 1998, one of the most recent being the LM847, a 470 horsepower motorcycle with a Maserati engine. Lazareth considers himself a mentee of famous auto-motive designer Franco Sbarro. 

Left: The Moto Volante’s control panel which displays relevant information such as altitude, speed, and remaining power.              Right: The Moto Volante’s jet engines built into the center hub of its wheels

Although the Moto Volante will cost $500k USD and only five of them will be made, Lazareth isn’t the only company making commercially available personal flying machines. Already on the market for only $100k USD, Hoversurf’s Scorpion S3 Hoverbike has already been sold to the Dubai Police, and Assen Andonov’s is well on its way to market.

Why it’s important:  Since only a few copies of the Moto Volante will be made at an extremely high price, the vehicle itself is more of an exotic engineering challenge rather than something that’s close to market for mass audiences. However, the Lazareth team has shown that this kind of micro flight technology is now possible. Other larger companies even such as Goodyear have taken interest in developing in-wheel lift propulsion, and still others continue to work on personal flight.

Skyportz is adding properties to begin building landing sites for aerial taxis in Australia.

Concept art from Skyportz

Skyportz, based in Melbourne, Australia is a company dedicated to helping buildings and properties ready themselves for eVTOL air taxis operations. The company’s mission is develop the necessary infrastructure to make aerial mobility a reality. Most recently, Skyportz was joined by Parking Australia, which represents the majority of parking structure companies in the country.

The partnership with Skyportz will lay the groundwork for Australia’s parking companies to begin updating properties to support eVTOL operations, both cargo and passenger. As of last Summer, Uber Elevate, which is developing a global eVTOL air taxi network, selected Melbourne as its first international city for launch in 2023.

According to Skyportz CEO and Founder Clem Newton-Brown:

“Space is at a premium in our cities and this partnership will enable Skyportz to develop a comprehensive network of sites across Australia in preparation for the aerial mobility revolution which is almost here.”

Uber’s vision for aerial mobility in Melbourne. Commercial operations are expected to launch 2023.

Parking Australia CEO Stuart Norman said:

“With the future changing modes of mobility the commercial car parking industry is well placed to provide the infrastructure needs of new mobility, including autonomous vehicles, electric charging and electric Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft landing pads.”

“This agreement with Skyportz will give our members the opportunity to be an integral part of this new transportation revolution and to lead the world,” 

Another concept for a rooftop eVTOL vertiport concept from Arup and Pickard Chilton.

Related: Wing, Alphabet’s Delivery Drones, Set for Finland Launch in 2019

Why it’s important: As aerial mobility networks edge closer to reality, local business operations are preparing for their arrival. Skyportz has begun forming important partnerships for the future, and the latest partnership with Parking Australia represents a positive sign for community acceptance. Through this partnership, Melbourne can take significant steps to begin building eVTOL infrastructure.

Russian startup Flyter has taken the next important step in testing the design of its 2-seater PAC 720-200. 

The Flyter PAC 720-200 is capable of carrying 440 lbs with a max range of 560 miles.

Flyter has been around since February 2018. Since then, it unveiled its concept for the PAC 720-200, a two-seater VTOL aircraft that flies like a small plane but can take off like a helicopter. Flyter’s goal is to make an aircraft that can both use airports as well as access more remote locations.

The Flyter 720-200 features a total of eight downward-facing lift propellors. Flyter states that although the it would have liked to use only four props, efficiency and thrust requirements led to the four-prop design.

In the latest test, Flyter successfully proves many of the predicted thrust and efficiency calculations. The design itself is unique in that propellors sit under the wing rather than on top of it, and the test proved the functionality of this concept. While many eVTOL prototypes (such as the Boeing PAV) use only upward facing propellors and others use a combination of upward and downward facing propellors, Flyter is one of the only companies to use solely downward facing propellors.

Watch the company’s full description of the flight test below:

Flyter is also one of the only eVTOL developers in Russia, and is proceeding with testing on schedule. The company begun taking investors in April of this year. Rather than targeting an urban air taxi market, Flyter’s strategy is to provide a vehicle that can access remote locations of Russia. The company will make both a passenger and autonomous cargo version of the PAC 720-200, and intends to use hybrid power for maximum range.

For more about Flyter, visit its website here.

Why it’s important: Since Flyter is one of the only eVTOL developers in Russia, it has a good chance of being first to capture VTOL flight demand there. Through its latest round successful of testing, Flyter sets a precedent for future progress, securing itself as a technology leader in Russia. Flyter’s next steps will involve continuous testing and eventual prototyping and certification.

Famous for creating a civilian version of the Osprey V-22, Leonardo S.p.A recently unveiled a new kind of heliport designed for urban aerial mobility.

Leonardo’s new rotorcraft terminal will support the development of a network of point-to-point connections for both urban transfers and connections between cities.

At the Dubai Air Show earlier this week, Leonardo, in collaboration with Falcon Aviation Services, released its concept for a ‘rotorcraft dedicated’ terminal. According to Leonardo, the new terminal initiative is meant “meet the growing demands for sustainable and modern vertical lift mobility.” and enable “greater access to urban areas.”

Built specifically for VTOL aircraft, the terminal concept combines a helipad, lounge, and show room into a single heliport, built to be placed in densely populated urban areas. Leonardo envisions that the terminal will support both point-to-point travel within cities as well as connections between them. The terminal is made of recyclable materials, and can even be moved between urban locations according to flight demands.

Alongside this new vision for urban air transport infrastructure, Leonardo is developing the AW609, a pressurized, passenger version of the existing military Osprey V-22. Once completed, the AW609 will be the world’s fastest commercial rotorcraft. Leonardo is currently working with the FAA on certification, and expects to be able to begin commercial flights in 2020.

The Leonardo AW609 passenger tilt-rotor aircraft. The AW609 is pressurized, and fitted with a luxury interior.

Why it’s important: Although Leonardo’s concept terminal is not the first ‘Vertiport’ imagined, it may be one of the first in commercial use. Unlike existing concepts, which are specifically designed for new eVTOLs, the Leonardo/Falcon Aviation terminal will support all types of vertical lift aircraft. This means that it will soon commence service for helicopter flights, providing an excellent proving ground for future aircraft.

Sources // Leonardo

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In partnership with Vanquish motor yachts and ILand Miami water landing vessels, BLADE Urban Air Mobility will enable passengers to fly directly to Miami Beach Hotels.

In an exciting new service release, BLADE Urban Air Mobility will allow customers to skip over major traffic jams to major Miami Beach hotels through its newest on-water helistop, available through March.

The newest water-port will enable passengers on BLADE helicopters to fly directly from local airports like to off-shore their hotels, potentially saving them hours sitting in traffic caused by upcoming events like the Super Bowl, Art Basel, and the Miami Open. The Super Bowl in particular has been known to cause major gridlock, with 150,000 non-residents arriving in Atlanta for last year’s game. Cities have often been forced to redesign entire public transportation systems for these occasions.

Once passengers land after a short flight from Miami International, Palm Beach Airport, or Ft Lauderdale, a powerful Vanquish yacht will take them to the dock of their hotel. The entire trip from airport to hotel, including the yacht transfer, will take only 15 minutes.

An ILand Miami water landing vessel (left) and a Vanquish motor yacht (right)

The Airport to yacht to hotel trip, which takes less than 15 minutes.

This newest service by BLADE represents its commitment to the Urban Air Mobility vision. Through new technology and excellent logistics management, BLADE is making urban transportation a speedy pleasure rather than a lengthy ordeal, and has its eyes set on the future of incorporating eVTOL aircraft. Earlier this year, BLADE rebranded to focus more directly on Urban Air Mobility, making it one of the very first UAM companies in commercial operation. BLADE also operates in New York and surrounding areas, as well as cities on the West Coast such as Las Vegas and most recently Los Angeles and nearby destinations.

Read more of the latest news from BLADE here.

Why it’s important: BLADE is one of the first companies in the world to successfully operate an on-demand urban air mobility service. With the business model in successful operation, BLADE can simply integrate new eVTOL vehicles to create the full on-demand UAM network imagined by Uber Elevate and many other new air taxi companies. BLADE’s new offering in Miami further proves its capability of providing rapid and convenient point to point travel.

Sources // The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, BLADE Urban Air Mobility

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Through a partnership with MagniX, Habour Air is about to become the world’s first all-electric airline. 

In March of 2019, the world’s largest seaplane operator, Habour Air, announced its intention to become world’s first completely electric airline. Together with MagniX, an aviation electric motor developer, Harbour plans to convert its entire fleet of 53 airplanes into electric aircraft by 2022.

Late last week, Habour Air announced that the first prototype of its 750 horsepower electric seaplane will be ready for its first test flight in December. Under assembly in a 1930s-era hangar at Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal, Harbour’s first e-plane is a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver prototype painted in electric green and indigo blue.

The latest prototype of the Habour Air’s e-plane comes in strong at 750hp following successful MagniX 350hp electric motor tests on a Cessna Caravan. The newest engine to be featured in the upcoming prototype is the magni500 with 540kW output, and is being installed in a 60-year-old De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver bush plane that originally had a radial engine.

Harbour Air was founded in 1982, and has since become a signature mode of transportation for residents in Vancouver, Seattle, Whistler and more, carrying 500,000 passengers a year for a total of over 30,000 annual flights. For years Harbour Air has focused on eco-friendliness, making itself one of the top completely carbon-neutral airlines in North America.

Said Greg McDougell, founder and CEO of Habour Air:

“Through our commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives, the communities where we operate and the environment, we are once again pushing the boundaries of aviation by becoming the first aircraft to be powered by electric propulsion.”

Rush hour at Harbour Air’s Fraser River runway, adjacent to Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal.

CEO of MagniX Roei Ganzarski hopes that his company will be able to cause disruptions throughout the regional airline industry by allowing for cleaner, more reliable, and more cost-effective means of flight. So far, the company has developed two types of output motors, as well as begun to make connections with other electric regional aircraft companies such as Eviation. Said Ganzarski:

“This is about building a generational business that will have a positive impact on society. We want to be able to tell our grandkids that they’re all flying on clean, low-cost aircraft because of what we did in 2018 and 2019.”

A MagniX Electric Motor installed on a Cessna-class plane.

Why it’s important: Although converting to a completely electric fleet as early as 2022 may seem like a lofty goal, the test flight of Habour Air’s first electric plane is coming up right on schedule. With continued success, MagniX will make a name for itself in the aviation electric motor industry, eventually possibly expanding into UAM aircraft as well.

Sources // Bloomberg, AvWeb

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