SkyDrive, developer of a compact electric air vehicle that’s intended to ‘make flying vehicles a realistic choice of daily transportation’ in Japan and abroad, has announced that it will showcase its SD-03 prototype at a major technology conference in Dubai. At the same event, SkyDrive also plans to unveil its SD-05 design, which will be far closer to the aircraft SkyDrive eventually plans to sell.

Above: SkyDrive’s SD-03 prototype, which has already taken manned demonstration flights

The GITEX GLOBAL conference is one of the largest technology conferences in the world, featuring technologies in development like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, data analytics, and more. The conference has been occurring for the last 41 years, featuring 7 separate category shows in one event, and attended by over 100,000 industry stakeholders. 4000+ exhibitors, 800+ startups, and 1000+ speakers from 170+ countries will attend this year.

At the event, attendees will be able to get an in-person look at SkyDrive’s flying SD-03 prototype, and will be the first to view the full-scale demonstrator model of the company’s upcoming two-passenger SD-05 vehicle. Notably, SkyDrive plans to use the SD-05 for air taxi services at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

SkyDrive’s CEO, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, said: “As one of our strategic markets, we want to ensure the Middle East is aware of our latest developments and progress.”

SkyDrive is backed by Toyota, and has already received acceptance of its type certificate application for the upcoming SD-05 model in Japan— a major milestone that no other flying vehicle developers have reached in the country. According to the company, its goal is to develop a personal flying vehicle that can ‘take off from an land in small spaces like parking lots and helipads atop buildings’, making electric air travel an accessible means of transportation. The company also is developing heavy-lift cargo drones.

Why it’s important: Currently, SkyDrive is at the top of the industry for advanced aerial mobility in Japan. While its current aircraft seats only one passenger, the company has already demonstrated effective manned flight with this prototype, and plans on continuing to develop higher-capacity aircraft. With backing from Toyota and Japan’s ministry of transportation, along with is clear vision to integrate eVTOL travel into daily transportation, the company is well suited to continue advancing to commercialization.

Source // SkyDrive, GITEX Global

Related:

• SkyDrive Debuts Its ‘Flying Car’ Model; Raises ¥3.9 Billion (August 2020)
• SkyDrive Type Certificate Application Accepted by Japanese Transport Ministry (November 2021)
• Climb Aboard SkyDrive at CES Unveiled and CES 2022
• SkyDrive and Suzuki Announce Collaboration on Aerial Vehicle Development (March 2022)

Eviation, developer of an all-electric aircraft capable of carrying up to 9 passengers or 2,500lbs of cargo up to 450 nautical miles, recently successfully completed high-speed taxi tests, and received a pre-order for 50 aircraft from Global Crossing Airlines.

Above: Photo taken in Washington state shortly after the Alice’s high-speed taxi test

Eviation’s mission is to transform regional air transportation by offering electric aircraft that are far more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to operate and maintain than traditional combustion aircraft. So far the company has made immense progress towards its prototype goals, with flight tests near in sight.

On September 18th, the 57-foot Alice prototype took high-speed taxi tests in order to prepare for upcoming test flights. In the high-speed taxi, the aircraft was able to generate enough lift for its nose wheel to lift off the ground. Said Gregory Davis, the company’s CEO and president, ““Building an electric aircraft is a war on weight, and it’s a war on drag. Our challenges are to get the best possible lift-over-drag ratio.” Each motor at the rear of the aircraft can produce 650 kilowatts of power, meaning 1.3 megawatts of power for the aircraft during takeoff.

Watch the high-speed taxi test below:

Also earlier this month, the company announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) for an order of 50 Alice aircraft. GlobalX currently offers charters all over the world using its fleet of Airbus A320s, targeting customers like sports teams, school groups, or organizations that need to travel with large amounts of gear. According to GlobalX, Eviation’s Alice will help the airline achieve its goal of opening carbon-neutral charter services between the Bahamas, Florida, and the Caribbean. The LOI also indicates that deliveries of the Alice to GlobalX should begin in 2027.

Said Chair and CEO of GlobalX, Ed Wegel, “Eviation’s Alice aircraft is setting the standard in sustainable aviation, and we plan to offer the aircraft to our cruise line, tour operators, leisure travel providers, and business clients with a need for short-haul charter flights across Florida. The Alice aircraft will allow us to offer sustainable, regional flights to and from major markets, and is the first step in our initiative to be a zero-carbon emissions airline by 2050. We are proud to be a launch customer for Eviation and lead the charge in bringing carbon-free air travel to our passengers.”

Gregory Davis, President of Eviation, said: “Charter travel is attractive to both individuals and groups as it offers flexibility, privacy and convenience. Alice represents a pioneering approach to making this type of aviation sustainable for generations to come. We are delighted to enter this agreement with GlobalX, whose investment in zero-emissions flight demonstrates the airline’s commitment to cleaner skies, lower operational costs, and the provision of the most innovative options for air travel.”

Above: Rendering of the Eviation Alice performing regional transportation routes in the Bahamas

Why it’s important: While the Eviation Alice is not en eVTOL, it offers similar capabilities to transform regional transportation through the use of high-power electric propulsion. As with electric cars, electric aircraft are predicted to be far more cost-effective to maintain and operate than combustion vehicles. This could mean that as these aircraft ramp up production, regional and eventually long-distance air transportation could become far more prevalent and affordable. With these key announcements, Eviation proves effectiveness of its aircraft, and begins to lay down plans for entering into commercial operation.

Source // Simple Flying, Popular Science, Eviation Aircraft

Related:

• DHL Express to Order 12 Alice Cargo Aircraft from Eviation (August 2021)
• Eviation Unveils Production Configuration for its Alice Electric Aircraft (July 2021)
• Eviation Receives a MagniX Electric Propulsion Unit for its ‘Alice’ Aircraft (May 2021)
• Eviation Secures 150 Total Orders for its All-Electric Commuter Aircraft (October 2019)

Electra.Aero, developer of a hybrid-electric short take-off and landing aircraft designed for regional air mobility and logistics, has announced successful testing of its proprietary propulsion system.

Above: A rendering of Electra.aero’s eSTOL from Electra’s website. This image demonstrates the aircraft’s signature ‘Blown Lift’ technology, which uses the propellers to push additional air over the wings for extra lift. The aircraft will be able to carry up to 9 passengers or 2500lbs of cargo for over 400 NM of range, and will be able to take off and land within 300 feet.

Electra.aero, which recently acquired fellow eSTOL developer Airflow, has made another major step towards developing its aircraft by successfully testing its hybrid-electric propulsion motor with attached propellers. This static test gives Electra important insights into the performance of its system, and lends further confidence to the company’s flight characteristics goals.

The hybrid system is being integrated into Electra’s piloted technology demonstrator aircraft, to demonstrate and test Electra’s eSTOL ultra-short takeoff and landing performance and fuel burn savings. The technology is currently being developed for Electra’s 9-passenger eSTOL aircraft and will later be scaled to larger aircraft.

Said JP Stewart, Electra’s VP and General Manager: “Tightly coupling airframe and propulsion systems is the hallmark of Electra’s unique and scalable approach to providing net-zero emissions for regional and transport-category aircraft by 2050. Electra’s eSTOL aircraft uses this patent-pending technology for the urban and regional aircraft market, allowing a reduction of the 5 billion tons of CO₂ created by inefficient ground transport in personal cars every year.”

Above: Photo of the hybrid-electric propulsion system in static testing

Ultimately, Electra’s goal is to create an aircraft that significantly reduces operating costs, infrastructure requirements, and noise emissions as compared to current aircraft with the same payload and range capabilities. The short-take off and landing capabilities of the aircraft, combined with its low operating costs and high range capabilities, could open up new potential opportunities for regional transportation between cities and outlying areas. Electra already has pre-purchase agreements with several operators including Bristow, Yugo, Flapper, and FlyV.

Why it’s important: While Electra.aero’s aircraft is not an eVTOL, its design will allow it to take-off and land with less than half the energy of a comparable VTOL aircraft, within the distance of a single soccer field. This reduced energy requirement will allow the eSTOL to fly much longer distances than eVTOL aircraft, while still requiring very very minimal infrastructure as compared to modern aircraft with similar capabilities. Although Electra’s eSTOL may not work for urban rooftops, it has immense potential to transform medium-range regional transportation. With a traditional fixed-wing design, we may expect to see Electrica’s aircraft in operation very soon.

United announced this week a $15 million investment in Eve Air Mobility and a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat eVTOL aircraft plus 200 options. This marks another significant investment from United in eVTOL that has the potential to revolutionize the commuter experience in cities around the world. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s eVTOL aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.

“United has made early investments in several cutting-edge technologies at all levels of the supply chain, staking out our position as a leader in aviation sustainability and innovation,” said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures. “United is making history again, by becoming the first major airline to publicly invest in two eVTOL companies. Our agreement with Eve highlights our confidence in the urban air mobility market and serves as another important benchmark toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 – without using traditional offsets. Together, we believe our suite of clean energy technologies will revolutionize air travel as we know it and serve as the catalyst for the aviation industry to move toward a sustainable future.”

“United’s investment in Eve reinforces the trust in our products and services and strengthens our position in the North American market,” said Andre Stein, co-CEO of Eve. “I am confident that our UAM agnostic solutions, coupled with the global know-how we have been developing at Eve and Embraer’s heritage, are the best fit for this initiative, giving United’s customers a quick, economical and sustainable way to get to its hub airports and commute in dense urban environments. It is an unparalleled opportunity to work with United to advance the US UAM ecosystem, and we look forward to it.”

United’s investment in Eve was driven in part by confidence in the potential growth opportunities in the UAM market and by Eve’s unique relationship with Embraer, a trusted aircraft manufacturer with a proven track record of building and certifying aircraft over the company’s 53-year history. This relationship includes access to Embraer’s service centers, parts warehouses, and field service technicians, paving the way for a reliable operation. Upon entry into service, United could have its entire eVTOL fleet serviced by Eve’s agnostic service and support operations. Moreover, United joins the consortium led by Eve, which will simulate UAM operations in Chicago from September 12th.

With a range of 60 miles (100 km), Eve’s VTOL aircraft has the potential not only to offer a sustainable commute but also to reduce noise levels by 90 percent as compared to aircraft like helicopters. Eve is also creating a new air traffic management solution designed for the UAM industry to scale safely. This software is intended to perform at the same safety level as Embraer’s existing air traffic management software and is expected to be a strategic asset in helping the entire industry grow.

This announcement also closely follows United’s recent firm purchase commitment for 100 of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft. Learn more about this purchase here.

Why it matters: United was the first major U.S. airline to create a corporate venture fund, United Airlines Ventures (UAV), designed to support the company’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 without the use of traditional offsets. Through UAV, United has led the industry in investments in eVTOL and electric aircraft, hydrogen fuel cell engines, and sustainable aviation fuel. This new partnership with Eve further solidifies United’s commitment to electric aviation and aerial mobility, keeping it at the forefront of this new push by major airlines.

Source // United

Related:

• United Airlines Completes $10M Pre-Payment for 100 Archer eVTOL Aircraft (August 2022)
• United Airlines Orders $1B in Archer Vehicles (February 2021)
• American Airlines Solidifies Delivery Slots for Vertical Aerospace eVTOL Aircraft (July 2022)
• Eve, Blade Partner to Simulate eVTOL Operations (August 2022)

Honeywell recently announced that it will be hosting its own Summit on aerial mobility technology later this month in Washington D.C.

According to Honeywell, the Air Mobility Summit aims to aims to “help speed the evolution of aerial transportation in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way.” To this end, the invitation-only conference will be attended by policymakers, regulators, and technology leaders.

Featured panels and keynote events at the Summit will focus on Urban Air Mobility, Unmanned Aerial Systems, new kinds of Regional Air Mobility, and the regulatory gaps remaining to make these technologies an everyday reality. In particular, many events will focus on how these technologies can maintain United States’ competitiveness on a global scale, and the economic and societal benefits they can bring.

Speakers at the Summit will include members of congress, FAA officials, executive leaders from key advanced air mobility companies, and more. With this unique gathering of individuals, Honeywell hopes to align business interests with those of regulatory bodies, including state and local governments.

“From all-electric air taxis to uncrewed cargo delivery drones, together, we’re helping move transportation from the road to the air with electrically powered vertical take-off and landing aircraft for sustainable, high-speed air mobility.” -Honeywell’s Save the Date page for the Air Mobility Summit.

Above: The Lilium Jet eVTOL, which will feature cockpit and propulsion technologies by Honeywell

Honeywell is well-placed to host this conference, as it had made investments and partnerships in the advanced aerial mobility industry nearly since its inception. In particular, Honeywell has formed technology partnerships with notable eVTOL developers like Lilium, Pipistrel, Volocopter and Vertical Aerospace to provide flight controls, propulsion technologies, and more. Between 2020 and 2019, Honeywell announced an entirely new business unit dedicated to Aerial Mobility, as well cooling systems, fly-by-wire, and e-motor projects specifically for eVTOL aircraft.

Why it’s important: Honeywell, with a vast amount of resources and experiences in flight technologies, has recognized the immense potential value of electric aerial mobility technologies since as early as 2019. Since then, it has worked hard to set itself up as one of the top technology providers in this new field. With this new Summit, Honeywell can further put itself as the forefront of the Aerial Mobility industry, while at the same time promoting collaboration and advancement for the entire industry.

Related:

• Honeywell’s New Business Unit for Aerial Mobility (July 2020)
• Honeywell Releases Their New Compact Fly-By-Wire System for UAM (June 2019)
• Honeywell’s Electric Engine to Advance UAM (April 2019)
• New eVTOL Visual Flight Control Hardware To Be Developed by Daedalean and Honeywell (January 2020)
• Honeywell to Equip Volocopter with Autonomous Landing Systems (April 2019)
• Vertical Aerospace eVTOL to be Equipped with Latest Honeywell Flight Deck Technology (August 2020)
• Honeywell To Provide Cockpit Technologies For 7-Seater Lilium Jet (June 2021)

For over 100 years, ASTM has been creating international standards for transportation infrastructure and more. Now, with the future of aerial mobility in mind, the company has released an 11-page standards document for vertiports to be used by upcoming eVTOL aircraft.

ASTM been creating international standards since as early as 1898 for railways, and currently has over 12,000 standards in operation globally.

Vertiport concept by Ferrovial

The newest standards release by ASTM, named the Standard Specification for Vertiport Design, “defines the requirements for the planning, design, and establishment of vertiports intended to service vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.” According to the overview from ASTM, every kind of eVTOL aircraft was considered in the creation of this document, including Multi-Rotor, Lift & Cruise, Vectored Thrust, Tilt-Wing, and Tilt-Rotor, as well as possibilities for piloted, optionally piloted, and unmanned aircraft. The document does not apply to aircraft under 55 lbs.

In the document, standards specifications are made for components of civil vertiports and vertistops like occupant and cargo transport, air medical, flight instruction, aerial work, aircraft rental, fueling, charging of energy storage devices, battery exchange, hangaring, and maintenance services.

Notbaly, ASTM uses this document to provide separate standards for both vertiports and ‘vertistops’. It defines a vertistop as having the same geometry and airspace as a vertiport, but without fueling, defueling, scheduled maintenance, scheduled repairs, or storage of aircraft. According to ASTM, a vertistop facility would be meant for the discharge of passengers or cargo only.

Vertiport concept by Ferrovial

Said ASTM International Fellow Jonathan Daniels, “Everyone involved in the development and implementation of AAM transportation, and its supporting infrastructure will find this standard extremely helpful.” Said Rex Alexander, another ASTM International member, “The challenge in developing this standard was in balancing safety with practicality. Without empirical aircraft performance data to rely on, the team’s goal was to develop a practical standard as a starting point that is not only safety centric but provides municipalities with a common-sense path forward.”

The full standards document from ASTM can be downloaded here.

The vertiport standards were created over the course of a five-year effort by ASTM, with the stipulation that local governments will of course still have the right to decide to what extent these standards are applied, and will still be responsible for all safety regulations. The document serves as a guideline of standards for vertiports, which governments can use to build of off as a baseline rather than starting from scratch.

The effort also relates to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

Vertiport Concept by Ferrovial

Why it’s important: While governments worldwide will still have the responsibility and ability to set regulations standards on eVTOLs and vertiports, the ASTM documentation provides an excellent set of standards which vertiport designers can follow to create excellent experiences both for travellers and the areas in which vertiports are built. In addition, ASTM takes a further step by also creating standards for ‘vertistops’, which it recognizes as an integral part of Advanced Aerial Mobility networks. By looking at the big picture for aerial mobility networks, ASTM has begun to lay a foundation for what eVTOL networks in cities and more could look like globally.

Source // ASTM International, Urban Air Mobility News, Ferrovial

Related:

• Skyportz Announces Plans for Australia’s First Vertiport in Melbourne (August 2022)
• World’s First Vertiport Opens in Coventry, UK (April 2022)
• EASA Publishes Design Specifications for Vertiports (March 2022)
• Several EU Airports Partner On Vertiport Development (October 2021)

Ryse’s Recon, a small eVTOL designed for farmers and similar workers to get surveillance of large areas of land, has officially completed its first piloted test flights near the company’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Recon, while small, is an impressive aircraft that offers a high degree of functionality. Its six all-electric motors allow it to fly at heights of 400 ft, up to about 60mph, for a flight time of 25 minutes. Although this may not make it a city commuter, the Ohio-based Ryse is positioning this aircraft as a tool for farmers and other workers who need accessible surveillance over large plots of land. The Recon classifies as an Ultralight aircraft, meaning it can be flown without a full pilot’s license.

Originally Ryse had recreation in mind for its aircraft, but as the business advanced, the company turned to agriculture applications. The pivot came after Founder Mick Kowitz noted that many farms currently use ATVs or small utility vehicles for these purposes, which do not offer aerial views.

Kowitz states, “We started looking at who would be a great early adopter for this technology. I have good friends that are farmers with large farms and they’re like the perfect market for this.” He went on to highlight that farmers have long been the first to take on new technologies including GPS, automation, and autonomy.

The Recon’s battery packs, located directly under each propeller, are easily removable, meaning that depleted battery packs can immediately be swapped out for fresh packs. Kowitz suggests that, “A user could set up remote charging stations that are solar powered with more packs. That way if they’re 20 miles out and don’t feel they have the range to return they could swap in fresh batteries from a remote station.”

Ryse first debuted the Recon in May of 2022, and the company has been visiting farming and agriculture trade shows around the U.S in the months since. The company was originally founded in 2021, in Mason, Ohio. While Ryse is currently focusing on agriculture as a main use case, it also is considering applications in rural transportation, generalized land surveillance, tourism, logistics, search and rescue, and more.

Why it’s important: With its ease-of-use and highly efficient training time, Ryse’s Recon could quickly become a staple for many farming operations. Unlike larger aircraft in development, the Recon fits under existing U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Part 103 regulations, which means it will not need new types of certifications to fly or be sold. With such low barriers to entry including a reasonable price tag, low maintenance and certification needs, and an immediately applicable business use case already identified, the Recon has a solid chance of becoming one of the first widely-sold eVTOL aircraft in the U.S.

Related:

• Blueflite Receives Testing Grant from Michigan Economic Development Corporation (August 2022)
• Mayman Aerospace debuts Speeder Air Utility Vehicle (AUV) at Draper Venture CEO Summit (July 2022)
• Jetson ONE completes ‘first-ever eVTOL commute’ (June 2022)

Sources // Ryse Aerotech, Western FarmPress

Horizon, a company developing a unique eVTOL design, has publicized continued progress by releasing photos of a half-scale prototype of its Cavorite X5 aircraft.

Above: Horizon Aircraft’s founder Brandon Robinson with the Cavorite X5 prototype

Horizon’s Cavorite X5 is an especially unique eVTOL in that it features in-wing lift rotors. According to the aircraft’s design thinking, this will allow for extremely lowered drag in forward flight as compared to aircraft that position their lift rotors externally. In forward flight, the leading and trailing edges of the wings close together to cover and lock over the in-wing rotors. Effectively, this will will allow the aircraft to look and fly completely like an airplane once in cruise mode, without suffering from top speed limits due to drag from external propellers as seen in other eVTOL designs.

The aircraft also will utilize hybrid-electric propulsion rather and an all-electric system, increasing its range and payload capabilities. Overall, the aircraft uses what is known as a ‘lift and cruise’ design, meaning that its in-wing rotors will lift it vertically before being propelled forward for cruise by a larger rear-facing propellor. This ‘lift and cruise’ design is utilized by many of the top aircraft on the market, including Wisk’s Cora.

The current prototype of the aircraft, featured above, features a 22-foot wingspan, a length of around 15 feet, and weighs in at about 500lbs. According to Horizon, the company expects the prototype to begin hover tests within a few weeks, and begin transition flights (flights in which the aircraft moves between vertical flight and forward flight modes) by December.

Above: The aeroshell wings that move to cover the in-wing lift rotors once the X5 is in forward flight. Once the wings are closed in cruise, the aircraft appears and flies like traditional fixed wing aircraft.

Above: A Visual of the Cavorite X5 in forward flight. The aeroshell wings are closed, hiding the in-wing lift rotors.

Ultimately, the design of the Cavorite could give it a 5-passenger capacity, with speeds up to 280mph for ranges up to 310 miles per flight.

In Summer of 2021, Horizon Aircraft was acquired by Astro Aerospace in the company’s efforts to develop a diversified eVTOL aircraft fleet. Other aircraft by Astro feature both manned and unmanned “pod-based” autonomous aircraft. With this acquisition, Brandon Robinson was designated as President of Astro Aerospace, and his since continued his work with both Horizon and Astro.

Why it’s important: While sometimes new aerial mobility companies do not release press releases regularly, this does not mean they are not advancing in development. Horizon’s aircraft features a clever and highly efficient design that could allow it to fly both further and faster than existing designs. As the company moves forward, followers should keep an eye on Horizon to note which industry partners may soon take interest. Applications for the X5 could include personal transportation, payload delivery, search and rescue, and more.

Source // Horizon Aircraft, NewsAtlas

Related:

• Astro Finalizes Acquisition of Horizon Aircraft (June 2021)
• Horizon Aircraft Exits Stealth Mode with its Sleek Cavorite X5 eVTOL (January 2021)
• Horizon Aircraft Advocates for Stricter Safety Standards Passenger eVTOLs (March 2021)
• Astro Aerospace undertakes NASA UAM Grand Challenge (March 2019)

Archer, developer of an fully electric, passenger-carrying eVTOL, announced on August 10th that United Airlines has paid the company a $10M deposit for 100 of its initial production aircraft.

In a historic move this week, United Airlines became one of the world’s first major airplanes to make an official pre-purchase of a set of eVTOL aircraft. United originally formed a partnership with Archer in 2021, nearly simultaneously to the company’s launch on the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, United has continued to broaden its partnership with Archer, making further agreements towards commercial operations in May of this year.

This move marks a highly competitive approach by United Airlines, as American Airlines only last month announced an official financial commitment for delivery slots of Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 aircraft.

Archer’s ‘Maker’ is fully electric, with a range capability of 60 miles per flight at speeds of 150mph. According statements by United, the company envisions using the Maker to provide efficient, comfortable, and convenient air transportation within cities around the globe.

A prototype of Archer’s ‘Maker’ on the runway

According to a recent press release, Archer recently completed its production aircraft’s Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and is now advancing to the next stage of its commercialization efforts. The PDR lays out all aspects of the aircraft’s manufacturing requirements and specifications, necessary pre-conditions for regulatory compliance and market viability. It also ensures that that the development program is on track and the design is mature enough to proceed to the next development phase and kick-off of production of long lead time hardware.

Said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s CEO, “I am incredibly proud of the entire Archer team as we reach this milestone in our partnership with United Airlines. To receive a cash deposit is validation of Archer’s achievements to date, not only with flight testing and product development, but also a great signal of confidence in our roadmap to commercialization. We’re thankful to United for their continued partnership as we usher in this new era in air travel.”

Said Michael Leskinen, President of United Airlines Ventures, “This announcement marks a new important phase in our relationship with Archer, and our commitment to EVTOL technology. We are witnessing an inflection point where consumers, businesses, and policymakers are all aligned to prioritize technology that reduces the impact of climate change. We believe eVTOLs have the potential to both help achieve carbon-neutral travel and serve as an innovative new tool to change how United customers experience comfort, convenience, and efficiency during their commutes within cities across the globe”

Why it’s important:  United’s decision to place a cash deposit for so many of Archer’s eVTOL aircraft signals its desire to be one of the first airline operators to commercialize eVTOL aircraft, additionally lending a high level of extra credibility to the growing eVTOL industry as a whole. Following this commitment, the industry may expect a surge of renewed interest and growing investment, especially as American airlines recently made a similar commitment to Vertical Aerospace’s VX4.

Source // Archer

Related:

• Archer Aviation Goes Public on NYSE (September 2021)
• Archer Aviation’s ‘Maker’ eVTOL aircraft completes first hover flight (December 2021)
• American Airlines Solidifies Delivery Slots for Vertical Aerospace eVTOL Aircraft (July 2021)
• Archer, United Airlines Partner on eVTOL Operations (May 2022)

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)

The AIR ONE, a two-seater eVTOL made for private ownership, has completed successful hover tests of a full-scale prototype of the aircraft.

Above: A full-scale prototype of the AIR ONE takes flight in northern Israel

AIR, an Israeli company, has been developing the AIR ONE for several years, with the vision of ‘Making the Ultimate Freedom of Flying Accessible.’ The AIR ONE is one of the few eVTOL aircraft in development designed for private ownership and use. Its small size allows it to fit in the common driveway or garage with its wings folded, while still retaining the ability to take-off and land fully vertically, and fly at about 150 mph for for about 110 miles per flight.

AIR was founded with the intent of making flying more accessible to more people, setting the price tag of its aircraft at about $150,000 USD. The AIR ONE prototype has now successfully completed a hover test after its airworthiness certificate. According to recent press release, the AIR ONE completed multiple hovers throughout the day and the following two weeks, safely lifting off, hovering in place, and returning to the ground, performing optimally in a stable flight envelope.

In the hover test, all of the aircraft’s systems functioned as designed, providing full control and stability. Notably, the AIR ONE’s energy use during flight was exactly as predicted, demonstrating its ability to execute expected performance metrics. AIR plans to expand to full flight envelope testing throughout 2022.

Rani Plaut, CEO & Co-founder of AIR, said, “It was truly awe-inspiring to watch AIR ONE lift off the ground for the first time. We’ve been on this upward journey for nearly five years and cannot wait for the public to join us on this ride. his momentous milestone secures AIR’s spot as a market leader in the personal air mobility space, making the thrill of flight achievable on a daily basis. We look forward to continued growth as we launch into the next phase of development.”

Why it’s Important: This hover flight tests marks significant market leadership for the AIR ONE. While many companies are designing larger aircraft capable of acting as air taxis, The AIR ONE is a leader in the market for private eVTOL ownership. By completing this flight test and certification milestone, the AIR team proves its ability to complete its goals and vision, adding a great deal of extra credibility to its path to market. As the AIR ONE continues to meet production timeline goals, followers can expect an increase in pre-orders and in general interest for the private-use eVTOL market.

Source AIR, Cision PR Newswire

Related:

• AIR ONE Prototype Showcased at Kentucky Derby (May 2022)
• AIR CEO Discusses AIR ONE’s Role in Aerial Mobility (January 2022)
• Israel-based AIR Unveils its First eVTOL Prototype (October 2021)

WingTips, a California-based aerial mobility provider, has announced a firm order for 5 of Ampaire’s hybrid-electric propulsion Eco Caravan fixed-wing aircraft, with options for 20 more and expansion plans for around 175 total aircraft.

Above: Rendering of Ampaire’s Eco Caravan, able to carry up to 9 passengers and operate without electric charging infrastructure

Ampaire’s Eco Caravan is based on the Cessna Grand Caravan, retrofitting a hybrid-electric propulsion system onto the original Cessna 208B Grand Caravan body. With this adaptation, the aircraft is able to offer fuel savings of up to 70% on short-hop routes and over 50% on long-haul flights, while still carrying 9 passengers or 2500 lbs of cargo for up to 800 miles per flight.

The Eco-Caravan’s extreme fuel savings over traditional combustion aircraft has made it an excellent option for WingTips, a regional air charter company currently growing and operating in California, Arizona, and Nevada. According to a recent press release, WingTips plans to to use these new aircraft on regional routes of 100 to 400 statute miles, flying from general aviation airports.

WingTips, recently seeking to modernize its business with services, uses artificial intelligence to offer individual seats to on-demand charter passengers, as well as utilizing advanced floating fleet algorithms to optimize fleet usage according to customer demands. Essentially, this means that unlike airlines which have fixed schedules, WingTips offers flights that aggregate customer requests to find the best flight times and routes.

Above: A Cessna Eco Caravan being constructed and tested at Ampaire facilities.

WingTips hopes to utilize the Eco Caravan to both lower costs and expand its flight offerings. Said WingTips founder and CEO Mike Azzarello, “The Eco Caravan will redefine operating cost through its extreme efficiency. Our objective is to close the gap with the cost of driving while cutting travel time up to 75 percent. Working with Ampaire, we’ll be able to achieve this in a sustainable way. The Eco-Caravan operates within existing airport infrastructure, putting us years ahead of competitors that need major infrastructure investment in order to operate.”

Notably, Ampaire has already flight tested a smaller proof-of-concept aircraft, at one point using it to fly the longest route to date for an aircraft powered partially by electric propulsion. With many flight tests performed using this aircraft, named the ‘EEL‘, Ampaire has gained the expertise it needs to advance to larger aircraft. Currently, the company has plans to create aircraft that can carry up to 19 passengers or more.

Said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker, “Ampaire and WingTips share a vision of reducing the cost and increasing the convenience of regional air travel while addressing a major source of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The starting point for moving toward zero emissions is with low-emission hybrid-electric aircraft such as the Eco Caravan.”

Above: Tail-end photo of the Ampaire Eco Caravan

Why it’s important: By significantly lowering the fuel and operating costs of these regional fixed-wing aircraft, companies like WingTips and Ampaire can change the industry for short to medium distance transportation. As vehicles like the Eco Caravan continue to lower prices closer to those of traveling by car, demand for this regional transportation will grow immensely, creating excellent opportunities for both new companies to form and middle-tier companies to expand. Together, these innovations should make on-demand regional air travel a more common part of many people’s lives.

Source // Ampaire

Related:

• Ampaire to Collaborate with Black & Veatch on Electric Aircraft Infrastructure (June 2022)
• Ampaire Will Complete Hybrid-Electric Flight Testing in the UK (March 2021)
• Ampaire Flies Longest Route to Date for an Electric Aircraft (November 2022)

VerdeGo Aero, one of the world’s only companies specializing in hybrid-electric aerospace propulsion systems, has announced a $12M Series A round led by RTX Ventures (Raytheon Technologies). The funds raised will go towards the acceleration of new hybrid-propulsion technologies.

Above: VerdeGo Aero’s VH-3 Hybrid Power plant

Founded in 2017 by the grandson of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh, VerdeGo is on the forefront of electric propulsion with high-efficiency flexible power plants that enable electrification to be applied to a broad array of aircraft types and mission requirements.

VerdeGo Aero was originally founded as a potential eVTOL aircraft developer, but pivoted its strategy in 2018 in to focus on providing hybrid propulsion solutions for electrically-powered aircraft such as eVTOLs, eSTOLs and more. Since adjusting its strategy, VerdeGo has gained a solid reputation in this field by forming partnerships with Airflow (now acquired by Electra.aero), Continental Aerospace, XTI Aircraft, and even Jaunt Air Mobility, which was formerly part of the Uber Elevate project. It also recently announced the development of its VH-3-185 hybrid power plant, which is 40% more efficient than comparable internal combustion plants, and could power all kinds of commercial-grade electric aircraft.

Now, VerdeGo has announced a successful Series A fundraising round of $12M, prominently backed by RTX Ventures of Raytheon Technologies, a highly experienced multinational company with several decades of experience in developing new technology products. In particular, VerdeGo will work with Pratt & Whitney, a famed subsidiary of Raytheon that has been making aircraft engines since as early as 1925, and provided engines for the United State’s f-35 fighter jets. Together, Pratt & Whitney and VerdeGo will collaborate by leveraging P&W’s capabilities including engine development, certification experience and global powerplant support.

Above: XTI Aircraft’s TriFan 200, an unmanned cargo eVTOL that will be powered by VerdeGo’s Hybrid-Electric propulsion system

Said Pat CTO and co-founder of VerdeGo Aero Dr Pat Anderson, ““Electrification of aircraft enables new aircraft designs and new mission types that are only possible by leveraging the responsiveness, light weight, and adaptability of electric motors. However, most commercial and military missions require performance and endurance that go far beyond the capabilities of battery technologies. VerdeGo’s hybrid systems create an efficient
method for combining sustainable liquid fuels and electrification to get the best of both worlds.”

Daniel Ateya, managing director of RTX Ventures, commented, “Delivering sustainable aviation technologies to help our customers bend the emissions curve remains one of Raytheon Technologies’ most important priorities. Our investment represents one of the ways we’re working to deliver a more sustainable future.”

Why it’s important: VerdeGo Aero, having already made immense progress in creating its own hybrid-propulsion system business, will now have access to Pratt & Whitney’s immense sum of aircraft powerplant system knowledge and expertise. By partnering with VerdeGo, Raytheon Technologies has furthered its effort to bring net-zero carbon emissions to the civil aviation industry by 2050. Together with the resources now being offered by P&W and Raytheon, VerdeGo’s hybrid systems will now likely be utilized in a large number of the hybrid-electric aircraft soon arriving on the market.

Source // VerdeGo Aero, Raytheon Technologies

Related:

• VerdeGo Aero Releases Hybrid Electric VH-3-185 Powerplant
• Jaunt Air Mobility and VerdeGo Aero Collaborate on Hybrid Electric Aircraft
• XTI Partners with VerdeGo Aero for Its Hybrid-Electric Cargo VTOL
• VerdeGo Aero Optimizes Hybrid Propulsion System for Commercial Aviation

Mayman Aerospace, developer of an optionally-piloted, single-seat, high-powered VTOL utility aircraft, recently unveiled a prototype of its ‘Speeder’ at the 2022 Draper Venture Network CEO Summit in Northern California.

Above: A flight-ready prototype of the speeder was recently showcased at the 2022 Draper Venture Network CEO Summit in Northern California

The Speeder by Mayman Aerospace is features eight small jet engines, which will allow it to travel in unpiloted cargo mode for over 400 miles per flight at speeds over 500 mph, all while carrying up to 1000lbs of cargo. While the Speeder will be able to carry a pilot situated similarly as on a motorcycle, the unpiloted version’s high speed, range, and payload capacities will make it a highly useful tool in applications such as emergency response, firefighting, rapid cargo logistics, military operations, and much more.

At the Draper Venture Summit taking place in June of 2022, attendees of the networking event had the chance to view the details and design of the prototype aircraft as well as sit in the pilot’s position to get a sense of what this new vehicle will be like to fly.

Said Tim Draper, a primary investor in the Mayman, “The Speeder AUV is a total game changer. It is one of the most exciting, industry disrupting technologies we’ve seen and we were thrilled to provide this platform for its first public unveiling. We believe Speeder is the future of VTOL flight and I’m personally looking forward to flying one myself.”

Above: View from the open-air cockpit of the Mayman Aerospace Speeder prototype

In particular, the Speeder’s ability to fly in situations that would ground a helicopter, drone, or airplane, all while flying with extremely high payloads for long periods of time, has encouraged many organization to seek business with Mayman. According to a recent press release, the company is already in advanced conversations with potential customers in in national defense, critical cargo, wildland firefighting (coordinated swarmed support for air tankers) and disaster relief (delivery of medical supplies, water, generators, and medevac).

Mayman Aerospace is a new brand created by micro-jet engine expert Jetpack Aviation, which has been creating jetpack-related products for over ten years with great success. According to CEO David Mayman, the new brand was created to separate the company’s consumer markets from its commercial markets. This move will allow Mayman Aerospace to create a uniquely competitive and flexible product for customers in many industries, especially for customers interested in the cargo autonomous and remotely-piloted cargo versions of the aircraft.

Above: Rendering of a Mayman Aerospace speeder fighting a wind turbine fire.

Above: A cargo version of the Speeder will carry supplies between remote destinations

Why it’s important: While the Mayman Aerospace Speeder is not electrically powered, its VTOL capabilities in range, payload, and flight time far surpass options in development from many leading cargo eVTOL companies. While eVTOLs will be a low-impact option in cases of flights between consistent locations, the Mayman Speeder will be a far more capable option in higher-need situations like wildfires, emergency rescue, and rapid-cargo needs in difficult situations and terrain, where required flight times and capabilities will be high and unknown prior to missions. As Mayman Aerospace continues to make progress, industry stakeholders can begin to note in which situations and industries VTOL or electric VTOL aircraft will be more suitable.

Elroy Air has announced that Bristow Group, one world’s leading helicopter operators for government and civil organizations, has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 100 of Elroy’s Chaparral hybrid eVTOL cargo aircraft.

Abov: Rendering of an Elroy Air Chaparral aircraft in employment of Bristow Group

Bristow Group has over seven decades of experience in moving cargo for logistics, healthcare and energy applications, with a particular focus on offshore air transportation. According to representatives at Bristow, the company hopes to use Elroy’s Chaparral to expand its middle-mile cargo transportation business for healthcare, logistics, and energy markets to new areas that may not have airport infrastructure already in place.

Said Kofi Asante, Elroy’s vice president of business development and strategy, “The Chaparral creates a ‘fast-lane’ for middle-mile logistics to an unprecedented range of locations that can serve remote, rural areas and can fly over rough terrain.”

Notably, the Elroy Chaparral is not a fully electric aircraft, but a hybrid, which allows it additional route flexibility and the ability to achieve ranges of up to 300 miles per flight while carrying between 300 and 500 lbs of cargo. These capabilities far exceed those of any commercial delivery drones already on the market.

Bristow Group has also begun forming partnerships with other eVTOL developers such as Overair, EmbraerX’s Eve, and Vertical Aerospace. Meanwhile, Elroy Air has also formed partnerships with Fedex, AYR Logistics, and Mesa Airlines.

Why it’s Important: Bristow Group, as one of the world’s largest helicopter operator companies, has shown deep commitment to the future of eVTOL by partnering now with four major leading eVTOL developers. As a company as large as Bristow Group continues to show serious interest in eVTOL, the economic benefits of these aircraft become even more clear and certain. With thee Elroy Chaparral’s autonomous capabilities as well as its large payload and range capacities, Bristow should now be able to offer cargo transportation services to even more markets.

Source // Elroy Air

Related:

• FedEx to Test Autonomous Drone Cargo Delivery with Elroy Air (April 2022)
• Elroy Air Raises $40M Series A Funding Round (August 2021)
• Overair Partners with Bristow for eVTOL Operations (December 2021)
• Bristow Group orders up to 150 eVTOL Aircraft from EmbraerX and Vertical Aerospace (September 2021)