The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has formally issued the special conditions necessary for EHang to to obtain EH-216-S type certification. The Chinese aerial mobility company will need to follow these conditions for its two-seater eVTOL aircraft, the EH-216, in order to begin mass production and commercial operations. The conditions include criteria regarding flight performance, structures, design and constructions, propulsion systems, systems and equipment, and data link and ground control stations.

The 32-page special conditions document, effective February 9th, is now published on the CAAC website. If EHang successfully meets the requirements detailed in this document, the company’s EH-216-S will be able to begin commercial operations focused on low-altitude, passenger-carrying flights.

EHang’s rapid progress, which is currently years ahead of many competitors, can largely be attributed to a consensus with the CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) which, according to Founder, Chairman and CEO Huazhi Hu, is based “on the guiding principle that operational trial flights can gradually be carried out, while advancing the certification progress.”

The company says it has already completed around 2,800 “operational trial flights” across seven “air mobility trial operations”, providing aerial sightseeing and short-distance mobility services in Guangzhou, Hezhou, Shenzen, Zhaoqing and Sanya. Most recently, the EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicle (“AAV”) completed a debut flight demonstration for aerial sightseeing in the tourism hotspot of Bali, Indonesia. This demonstration flight was conducted under EHang’s cooperation with Indonesian local partner Prestige Aviation, a subsidiary of Prestige Corp.

This news follows the appointment of EHang’s new Chief Operating Officer, Xin Fang. Fang will be in charge of the company’s daily operations, managing sales and commercialization of EHang’s planned aerial mobility services.

“I’m delighted to welcome Xin Fang to join EHang’s management team,” said Huazhi Hu, founder, chair, and CEO of EHang, in a press release. Hu went on to say that Fang’s background will “lay the solid groundwork for our next stage of business growth and operations as we are moving ahead with the 100 Air Mobility Routes Initiative, especially in the field of aerial sightseeing and tourism.”

Why it’s important: Obtaining type certification under the new special conditions will enable EHang to begin commercial operations in the near future, potentially years ahead of other air taxi makers. In addition, EHang’s high number of completed demonstration flights and its 20,000 autonomous trial flights with the EH216 have taken place 11 different countries – far more, the company claims, than any other manufacturer. “With abundant operational experience accumulated and safety records built,” reads EHang’s earnings report, “the Company expects to turn these operational trial flights into commercial ones after the approval of the EHang 216 Type Certificate is obtained.”

Source // EHang press release

Rani Plaut, Co-founder and CEO of Israeli eVTOL developer AIR, discussed the company’s future in a recent interview with Avionics International. AIR debuted its AIR ONE personal aircraft in October 2021, and has already received over 50 orders.

AIR currently has two prototype models of the AIR ONE; a full-scale, semi-functional prototype for ground demonstration, and another large-scale prototype that is technologically fully functional. The latter is expected to launch in early Q1 of 2022. According to Plaut, “We have a division of functionality so we can really sharpen the product on both the aesthetics and on the technological side.”

AIR ONE was designed with accessibility in mind. The vehicle is intended for personal use, aimed at “making flight accessible to regular people,” said Plaut. “A pilot’s license will be required, but we are aiming for a very low level of training.” The key features of AIR’s eVTOL are practicality, affordability, safety, and ease of handling. The range is over 100 miles, and units are priced at $150,000 each. Plaut explains that the aircraft’s “extreme simplicity and high redundancy creates a very high level of safety and very easy handling. If I train you, within an hour you will be able to operate it. You are truly enveloped in our software and are very safe.”

AIR intends to bring AIR ONE onto the mass market, with an annual target volume in the thousands. To grow public acceptance and ensure smooth assimilation of the aircraft into low altitude airspace, the team is focusing on safety and noise reduction. “At the end of the day,” said Plaut, “the product needs to coexist with people. It’s not about the user; it’s about the whole community.” While the U.S. market is the primary target for AIR’s eVTOL, customers from Israel and the U.K. have already pre-ordered units, and Australia is another potential market. 

Another target goal for AIR is to design an aircraft that will be multi-purpose. Similar to how an automobile can be used for commuting, leisure, or a taxi service, the AIR ONE could be used by package delivery companies like UPS, by first responders, or by those working in agriculture. “It’s like an F150. You can be a plumber with an F150; you can take your family in an F150,” remarked Plaut.

“If enough people [are interested in] using the air as a means of day-to-day transportation, companies will invest in engineering efforts in order to decouple skillsets from safety. In the air, your skillset is your safety—if you’re skilled, you’re alive. In a car, the vehicle protects you. We’re trying to make things that fly as easy to live with as cars.”

Why it’s important: The eVTOL market includes small, recreational aircraft that have a very short range, and the larger eVTOLs and air taxis produced by companies such as Volocopter, Lilium, Archer, Joby, and others that are geared toward commercial passenger-carrying applications. AIR intends for its AIR ONE to fall somewhere in between, a personal vehicle intended for commuting or leisure purposes, that can also be used for commercial applications where possible.

Source // Aviation Today

London-based aerospace startup Bellwether Industries has released footage of the first untethered flight of their Volar eVTOL. Previously having conducted several prototype flight tests, this is the first publicly available footage of the stylized eVTOL aircraft in motion.

Development of the Volar is still in the prototype stage, with the prototype being named “Antelope”. Bellwether has indicated that the final version of the aircraft will reach speeds of 135 mph at a maximum altitude of 3000 ft, with a range of about 60-90 minutes, and seating capacity of 4-5. Currently, the Antelope prototype is a half-scale version of the Volar, seating only one, and is remotely piloted from the ground. During tests, the Antelope has reached an altitude of 13 ft at a maximum speed of 25 mph.

The half scale prototype of the Volar has been named the ‘Antelope’.
Photograph: Bellwether

Previously, the Antelope was displayed publicly at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, giving potential investors and enthusiasts a look at results of the development process. Prior to the show, Bellwether had raised $1M USD in funds from angel investors.

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.”

Photograph: Bellwether

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. The aircraft is currently intended for private ownership, aiming to serve urban travel needs. Bellwether in particular emphasizes the importance of performance, a compact profile, city adaptability, an enclosed propulsion system, and environmental friendliness. 

Why it’s important: Bellwether is one of the latest companies to debut its solution to current transportation needs 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 // Bellwether Industries on YouTube

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

Archer Aviation has announced it has received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), allowing the company to commence flight testing for the Maker, Archer Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft. Archer is now set to begin the Maker’s first hover flight test by the end of 2021. 

The FAA inspection for this certification took place at Archer’s flight test facility located in Palo Alto, CA, where the FAA conducted a comprehensive review and inspection of the Maker in order to determine if the aircraft met the FAA’s safety requirements. With this Special Airworthiness Certificate, the Maker is now clear to begin hover flight tests.

Archer Aviation’s Maker eVTOL aircraft received the Special Airworthiness Certificate this December. Photograph: Archer Aviation

According to Archer co-founder and co-CEO Brett Adcock, “Earning our Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA marks a significant moment for our company as we take another leap ahead toward our goal of bringing eVTOL travel to the world. We’re glad to share a commitment with the FAA to create urgently-needed air transportation solutions. We’re grateful to have developed a strong relationship with their Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation as we continue to work to ensure our eVTOL aircraft adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance. In a year of exciting milestones for Archer, this moment serves as a key validator for the incredible work our team is doing to transform our vision for urban air mobility into a reality.”

Archer’s other co-founder and co-CEO, Adam Goldstein, also added, “Our team has been working tirelessly toward this moment, and it’s a testament to their effort and dedication that we’ve successfully completed the formal inspection of Maker and received our Special Airworthiness Certificate, the latest in a series of certification milestones. We’ve demonstrated the quality and viability of our eVTOL aircraft while maintaining our commitment to safety above all else, and we now turn our focus toward the first flight tests of Maker. We look forward to sharing more exciting achievements in the near future.”

Photograph: Archer Aviation

Why it’s important: Having previously received the FAA G-1 Issue Paper: Certification Basis (G-1 Certification Basis) last September, one of the key priorities for Archer Aviation was to maintain and develop a strong and transparent relationship with the FAA, communicating frequently through the FAA’s Center for Emerging Concepts & Innovation and the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office throughout the certification process. That effort as well as Archer Aviation’s own design and development efforts was rewarded this year with this Special Airworthiness Certificate, putting the company in a strong position for the start of 2022. 

Source // Drone Life

Related:

• Archer Aviation Reveals Maker eVTOL Air Taxi
• USAF Issues Airworthiness Approval for KittyHawk Heaviside
• Joby Aviation Acquires Uber Elevate, Receives Airworthiness Approval from U.S Military

Samad Aerospace and Aerosud Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development and manufacturing stages of Samad’s Starling Cargo, a remotely operated eVTOL cargo aircraft.

Aerosud, a South African aerospace engineering company, specializes in commercial aerostructure part design and manufacturing for international Tier 1 suppliers. The Starling Cargo aircraft will be a cargo variant of the Starling Jet, which will eventually carry passengers according to Samad. The Starling Cargo will have both remote piloting and autonomous capabilities, and will have a payload capacity of 60 kg, cruising speed of 83 knots, flight ceiling of 10,000 feet and a range of up to 117 nautical miles. 

Photograph: Samad Aerospace

According to Dr. Seyed Mohseni, CEO of Samad Aerospace, “We look forward to working with Aerosud Aviation to bring our eVTOL Starling Cargo aircraft to market for delivery during the next couple of years. The Starling Cargo aircraft will make air cargo faster, greener and more sustainable.”

Rob Jonkers, director of programs at Aerosud Aviation, added: “We look forward to working with Samad Aerospace to bring to market this unique Starling Cargo eVTOL, which has particular advantages in the South African and African context given sparse infrastructure to move cargo at medium to long distance at speed. The flexibility of Starling Cargo operations will bring a new dimension to delivery turnaround times country and continent wide.”

A Starling Cargo prototype on the runway

Samad Aerospace has reported that interest in the cargo variant of their eVTOL aircraft has come from a number of corporations in industries such as oil and gas, gemstone mining, medical logistics, and emergency response. In addition, Samad plans to use the Starling Cargo to provide humanitarian aid, such as critical delivery of food, medicine, and equipment to regions of world with underdeveloped or damaged infrastructure. 

Starling Cargo prototype Top Down

Why it’s important: Samad Aerospace has become one of the more prevalent eVTOL companies in the world. Together with Aerosud Aviation, the two companies will be working toward major milestones in the development and manufacturing of full-scale prototype eVTOL jets. Expect to see more from Samad Aerospace and the Starling fleet in the near future.

Source // Samad Aerospace press release

ABB E-mobility has been confirmed to be the provider for the charging infrastructure for Lilium’s eVTOL aerial mobility network. With this agreement, ABB will provide development, testing, and supply services for the MegaWatt fast charging systems that will be used in Lilium’s network. In addition, the ABB charging points will be designed to be capable of bringing batteries to full charge within 30 minutes and 80% charge within 15 minutes, which will be enough for the 20-25 flights per aircraft per day that Lilium plans for its global vertiport network. The network currently will offer services in Brazil, Germany, and the United States, with plans to expand further. 

ABB is a global technology company that focuses on energizing essential services in modern society and industry in order to provide a more sustainable future. The company’s MegaWatt Charging System (MCS) will allow for DC charging of up to 1000 kW and can also be used in heavy duty applications such as trucks or buses. 

Daniel Wiegand, CEO and Co-Founder of Lilium stated that, “We believe that the decarbonisation of aviation is both urgent and inevitable. Making sure we have the right charging infrastructure will play a crucial role in enabling our high-speed regional air network by allowing quick and efficient charging. We are proud to be working with ABB, who bring decades of experience in electrification and software, to set the charging industry standard for electric aviation.”

According to their website, ABB “engineers the electrification solutions for the transport of tomorrow, today. Including smart transportation solutions from EV chargers for the home, through electrified fleet depots and opportunity charging for electric bus and trucks, to high-power chargers for the highway stations of the future.” 

Frank Muehlon, President of ABB’s E-mobility Division stated that, “Combining Lilium’s mission to grow sustainable aviation with ABB’s global market expertise and leadership in e-mobility and charging infrastructure is a win for the environment and a win for passengers. Moreover, we see this planned partnership as an important commitment to all relevant charging standards that are adopted by multiple electric ‘vehicle’ manufacturers. By supporting the new MegaWatt charging standard, ABB E-mobility is paving the way for the electrification of all modes of transport, from cars and trucks to marine vessels, mining vehicles, and now, aviation.”

Lilium’s seven seater Lilium Jet, the flagship aircraft for the company’s global vertiport network, will possess a range of 155 miles with a cruise speed of 175 mph.

The Lilium Jet. Photograph: Lilium

Why it’s important: In 2019, global CO₂ emissions from all commercial air operations reached 918 million tons, an increase of 29% since 2013.. With passenger transport responsible for 780 million tons, or 85%, of the total emissions from air operations, decarbonisation of transport is a vital step in the fight against climate change and building a more sustainable future. 

Source // eVTOL Insights

Archer Aviation has now become the third air taxi company to be listed publicly since August 2021 after successfully completing a merger with Atlas Crest Investment Corp, a SPAC. Archer now can be found in the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ACHR. According to Brett Adcock, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer, “Completing our go-public transaction and having Archer trade on the New York Stock Exchange is a huge milestone for our business. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by the great team we have at Archer, but it is also the beginning of the next phase of our development and growth.”

The merger between Atlas Crest and Archer is expected to generate $857.6 million in gross proceeds, including $600 million from a private investment in public equity (PIPE) deal. According to Adam Goldstein, co-founder and co-CEO of Archer, “We are working to build an urban air mobility network that can change the way people travel in and around cities forever. We believe we have the team, the technology and the strategic partners to make our vision a reality.”

Archer Aviation’s Maker eVTOL. Photograph: Archer Aviation

“We are pleased to have reached this important milestone in closing our transaction with Archer,” said Michael Spellacy, CEO of Atlas Crest, in a statement. “With the proceeds from this transaction, Archer is entering the public markets from a position of financial and competitive strength to accomplish their mission of revolutionizing the future of urban transportation.”

Archer Aviation currently has a two-seat demonstrator of their planned eVTOL aircraft, called the Maker, which is expected to begin flight testing by the end of 2021. The aircraft features a range of 52 nautical miles (60 statute miles) and a cruise speed of 130 knots (150 mph), with a total weight of 1,508 kg (3,335 lbs). The eVTOL’s noise level is said to be 45 dBA, which Archer describes as “inaudible while flying overhead.” Its electric motors will be powered by six independent lithium-ion battery packs with a total capacity of 75 kWh and maximum power of 672 kw.

Archer Aviation’s Maker eVTOL. Photograph: Archer Aviation

Why it’s important: Archer Aviation is now the third air taxi developer to start public trading since August—the second just this week—after successfully completing this merger. “We founded Archer to address the environmental and societal issues caused by road transportation and urban overloading,” said Goldstein. “Through our all-electric aircraft, we are striving to curb carbon emissions, decrease traffic, and create the transportation networks of the future.”

Source // Flying Mag

Samad Aerospace continues to display progress of their E-Starling eVTOL aircraft, with its VTOL operations now having been announced to be fully functional. As of now, Samad’s development has been centered around their half-scale prototypes of the E-Starling, which has undergone various flight testing. While conventional flight was displayed back in March 2021, Samad Aerospace’s development has taken another step forward, showing footage of the E-Starling’s now fully functioning front and rear lift fans for VTOL flight. 

The flight tests included evaluations on aircraft flight dynamics, performance as well as handling qualities. As the e-Starling adopts a semi blended wing body (BWB) design, it requires a low angle for take-off; it is important to understand when the aircraft is capable of taking-off and at which speed.

Dr. Seyed Mohseni, CEO of Samad Aerospace, commented that “The Q-Starling will give owners the ultimate luxury in personal hybrid-electric flying. The efficient sustainable Q-Starling will give passengers unparalleled point-to-point mobility options.” The company categorized the Q-Starling as “a clever mix of fighter jet and VTOL allowing you to fly from a tennis court or super-yacht helipad to an event 500 miles away in under 2 hours.”

Production of the aircraft All materials used in the aircraft are made of ultra-light carbon fiber giving a higher performance capability and enabling semi-aerobatic maneuvers due to the increased strength of the composite material and design.

Samad Aerospace’s E-Starling

Why it’s important: Samad’s Starling project has potential to result in commercializing the world’s first e-VTOL hybrid aircraft. The company’s CEO, Dr Seyed Mohammad Mohseni, praised his team’s resilience attributing this latest success to their, “striking and unparalleled dedication during unprecedented times.” Samad’s Chief Production Officer explains, “We believe passionately in our proven technology, Covid-19 threw a few challenges our way, but this passion fuels our determination, securing this success.” 

Source // New Atlas

HyPoint and Piasecki Aircraft have agreed to partner for the development of a hydrogen fuel cell system for eVTOL aircraft, which could provide four times the energy density of existing batteries, twice the power of existing hydrogen fuel cell systems, and a 50% reduction in operating costs. According to Alex Ivanenko, founder and CEO of HyPoint, “The much-anticipated arrival of eVTOLs and similar aircraft has been severely hindered by the technical limitations of existing power systems. This new strategic partnership will dramatically accelerate delivery timelines by equipping eVTOL manufacturers with next-generation hydrogen fuel cell systems that meet their unique needs. Together, HyPoint and Piasecki will work to grow the emerging eVTOL market by delivering a certified multiplatform solution for eVTOL makers. In addition, we share a common vision for making safe, cost-effective zero carbon-emission flight a reality for conscientious businesses and consumers around the world.”

Piasecki’s eVTOL PA-890 Compound Helicopter.
Photograph: Piasecki

The partnership, valued at $6.5 million USD, will first focus on the development of five 650kW hydrogen fuel cell systems for integration in Piasecki’s eVTOL PA-890 Compound Helicopter. Piasecki will retain exclusive rights to the hydrogen fuel cell systems in the PA-890, but both companies look to develop new customizable systems for purchase that could be used in other eVTOL aircraft platforms. According to HyPoint, the fuel cell systems, which use compressed air for cooling and oxygen supply, will be able to achieve 2,000 watts per kilogram of specific power, and have up to 1,500 watt-hours per kilogram of energy density. 

“We are laser-focused on the development and qualification of a 650kW system for our PA-890 eVTOL Compound Helicopter, which would be the world’s first manned hydrogen-powered helicopter. Success will pave the way for collaboration with other eVTOL OEMs with different platform sizes to ensure broad application of this technology,” said John Piasecki, president and CEO of Piasecki, “Initial lab testing funded by Piasecki last winter demonstrated the technical viability of HyPoint’s hydrogen fuel cell system. While we are benchmarking HyPoint’s technology against alternatives and continue to rigorously test and validate findings, we are very optimistic. Our objective is to develop full-scale systems within two years to support on-aircraft certification testing in 2024 and fulfill existing customer orders for up to 325 units starting in 2025.”

Another probable eVTOL to use this technology could be Urban Aeronautics’ CityHawk. HyPoint and Urban Aeronautics reached an agreement to integrate hydrogen fuel cells into the CityHawk on June 2020.
Photograph: Urban Aeronautics

Why it’s important: HyPoint and Piasecki’s partnership aims to bring an energy solution to vertical aircraft other than rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The development of hydrogen-based energy could be lucrative, considering that hydrogen fuel cell systems could outperform current lithium-ion battery technology in range through improving energy density by weight. While many eVTOL platforms will still use on lithium-ion solutions, others may adopt hydrogen-powered configurations where it makes the most sense for their various designs and missions. 

Source // Aviation Today

Overair has recently released new details about their new electric VTOL air taxi, dubbed the Butterfly. Built to withstand rough weather conditions, the 6-seater aircraft will have a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 200 mph. In addition, the Butterfly will be all electric and have zero carbon emissions. The key feature of the Butterfly’s design is the propulsion system. With four large propulsors, the Butterfly’s propulsion system has a large disk area, allowing it to use less power in VTOL mode and make it more efficient overall. 

According to Ben Tigner, CEO of Overair, “Our fundamental technology advantage, the propulsion, that we bring to the party here is inherently more efficient. We get more thrust for less power, that’s why we’re able to go battery only, not needing the hybrid solution. So we have larger rotors, larger propulsors than most other people in the industry so we can generate the thrust unit for flight, using less kilowatts and less kilowatt-hours.” 

Overair’s Butterfly.
Photograph: Overair

The aircraft’s design also factors in noise emissions reductions, according to Tigner. The large disk area allows for minimal pressure disturbances from the system, which generates less noise during flight compared to other similar sized aircraft. 

“It’s also going to be very very quiet,” said Tigner, “We anticipated that will be the quietest eVTOL vehicle in the field, and that is based on the fact that it has the largest rotors in the field and we’re able to spin the rotors very slowly. Not only is the amount of sound, the intensity of the sounds generated by the propulsion system very low, but also the character of the sound is such that the frequency projected is at a place where the human ear is very insensitive. So it really should be an extraordinarily quiet aircraft, quieter than anything else that’s out there in the industry right now.” 

Overair’s Butterfly.
Photograph: Overair

The Butterfly will officially debut as a piloted eVTOL air taxi, capable of flying 5 passengers or a cargo payload of 1,100 lb. However, Overair has plans to implement automated flight in the future. For this purpose, the Butterfly will start out equipped with a full authority fly-by-wire system that provides an avenue for future automated flight. According to Tigner, “We’ve adopted an approach that really bites down on the notion of simplified vehicle operation where we’ve sort of adopted the view that you should have an interface…is a smooth transition between hover control and or flight control in a mode, similar to what you see on the F-35, you know, the unified command approach that defines how the sticks translate from hover controlling to into forward flight control. The fly by wire system, by virtue of the fact that it is full authority, has the ability to implement important envelope protections that prevent the vast majority of human error type accidents.” 

The company expects the prototype model of the Butterfly to first take flight next year, and to receive FAA certification sometime in 2025. As of now, Overair anticipates that their main areas of commercial operation will be in the United States and South Korea.

Photograph: Overair

Why it’s important: Through the Butterfly’s all-electric energy source, efficient propulsion system, and minimal noise emissions, Overair looks to provide the public with a design that addresses some of the biggest concerns in the aerial mobility industry. While in the early stages of development compared to other competitors, Overair’s Butterfly could quickly become a strong contender in the aerial mobility industry within the next decade.

Source // Aviation Today