Category: Vehicles/Manufactures
Lilium Hires former Rolls-Royce Aerospace Head of Communications
German air taxi company Lilium has added to its team former head of communications at Rolls-Royce Aerospace Oliver Walker-Jones. The team now includes former high-ranking executives from Airbus and Audi, as well as Frank Stephenson, who worked in design at Ferrari, BMW, and MINI. At Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Walker-Jones’ role included acting on the outward-facing aspect of the company as well...

Lilium Hires former Rolls-Royce Aerospace Head of Communications

German air taxi company Lilium has added to its team former head of communications at Rolls-Royce Aerospace Oliver Walker-Jones. The team now includes former high-ranking executives from Airbus and Audi, as well as Frank Stephenson, who worked in design at Ferrari, BMW, and MINI.
At Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Walker-Jones’ role included acting on the outward-facing aspect of the company as well as internal communications. At Lilium, he will be responsible for much the same thing, but will also focus on helping the business grow globally. This suggests that Lilium has plans to go global rather than just staying local to Germany.
The addition of Walker-Jones is important to note as Rolls-Royce is working on its own eVTOL design as well. Mr. Walker-Jones’ speaks to his decision to join Lilium:
“We have the chance to inspire and excite people of all ages and backgrounds across the globe and I can’t wait to make the most of that opportunity.”

“I’m genuinely thrilled to be joining a company of world-class engineers, remarkable designers, and top managers, and I look forward to playing my part in telling the Lilium story.”–Oliver Walker-Jones, new Head of Communications at Lilium and former Head of Communications at Rolls-Royce Aerospace
As a reminder, The Lilium Jet is unique in that it is one of the few eVTOLs propelled by jets. The design features two fixed-wings with a total of thirty-six small ducted jet-fans that can tilt between vertical and horizontal flight, giving the Lilium jet one of the sleekest aesthetics on the market. Lilium will soon face the challenge of launching air taxi services globally with a planned launch of 2025.
Why its important: Prior to the hiring of Walker-Jones, Lilium has also recently hired Mirko Reuter, former Head of Automated Driving at Audi, Jakob Waeschenbach, former Head of Equipment Installation at Airbus, and Frank Stephenson, who worked in design at Ferrari, BMW, and MINI. . With these new hires, Lilium shows that it’s serious about taking on the future of on-demand eVTOL flight, and with so many experienced professionals on board, it has continued to position itself well to lead the industry.
A VRCO NeoXCraft Home Landing Pad is Being Built in the UK
A landing pad for the VRCO NeoXcraft is being built in the garden of a $12.5 million home in the UK. VRCO has released a set of images showing the planned landing area, which comes with a renewable energy recharging system for the two-seater aircraft. VRCO is based in Derby, UK, and has been developing the NEOXCraft since its founding in...

A VRCO NeoXCraft Home Landing Pad is Being Built in the UK

A landing pad for the VRCO NeoXcraft is being built in the garden of a $12.5 million home in the UK. VRCO has released a set of images showing the planned landing area, which comes with a renewable energy recharging system for the two-seater aircraft. VRCO is based in Derby, UK, and has been developing the NEOXCraft since its founding in 2015. The NeoXCraft is one of the top aircraft soon to enter the UK eVTOL market with a planned first flight in 2019 and an intended certification date of 2020.
VRCO has recently made large strides in their development process by partnering with property developer Guy Phoenix to develop a landing pad for a new home in the village of Edwalton. The landing pad is six meters in diameter, and will reach completion in April. Key to the landing pad is an integrated solar and wind system to recharge the vehicle, and an ‘etched data store code’ which will allow the aircraft to land autonomously.

Real estate developer Guy Phoenix is considering purchasing a VRCO NeoXCraft to to offer as part of the sale of the Nottingham home. A mockup of the aircraft will be at the house’s launch event this spring.
The addition of the landing pad to this house represents the beginning of a major shift in how real estate will work with flying cars. By eVTOL, the home is only 30 minutes from London, while normally a 2.5 hour drive. Many experts in the industry have predicted that the existence of eVTOL services will eventually raise the appeal of living further away from major cities, as they will allow people to live in less populate areas and still commute to work in cities quickly.
Said VRCO CEO Dan Hayes, “The house itself has been built to a level rarely seen in construction in both design, finish and technology, so together the Guy Phoenix brand delivering luxury homes and the VRCO brand soon to deliver the future, I am sure will work well together.”
To learn more about the specifications and features of the VRCO NeoXCraft, have a look our NeoXCraft Vehicle Page.
Why its important: This home in Nottingham is one of the first in the world to build a private landing pad for an eVTOL. With VRCO’s expected certification date in 2020, the occupant of this home could be one of the first in the world to own and actively use a private eVTOL.
ESAero Partners with NASA to Design Electric Aircraft
San Luis Obispo, CA – based Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero for short) is partnering with NASA to create an all-electric X-57 “Maxwell” technology demonstrator aircraft. The Central Coast engineering firm specializes in “on-demand engineering” and ultimately plans to retrofit a Tecnam P2006T general aviation aircraft to demonstrate their technological advances in electric propulsion. The Tecnam P2006T is a popular light...

ESAero Partners with NASA to Design Electric Aircraft

San Luis Obispo, CA – based Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero for short) is partnering with NASA to create an all-electric X-57 “Maxwell” technology demonstrator aircraft. The Central Coast engineering firm specializes in “on-demand engineering” and ultimately plans to retrofit a Tecnam P2006T general aviation aircraft to demonstrate their technological advances in electric propulsion.
The Tecnam P2006T is a popular light twin-engine aircraft, used commonly for multi-engine flight training. ESAero’s planned timeline for incorporating design advances to the X-57 began with receiving the aircraft in 2017, followed by Mod II Flight Testing at NASA’s Armstrong Research Center during 2018. The team plans on demonstrating that their concept will save five times the energy of a comparable aircraft during cruise profile. The fuselage contains 800 lbs of batteries to power the two main electric motors mounted on the wings for cruise flight. To facilitate vertical takeoff and landing, the aircraft is outfitted with an additional 12 electric motors dispersed across the wings.
From the company’s press release: “This tooling fuselage significantly reduces overall project duration by giving engineers at ESAero and Xperimental, LLC the opportunity to perform critical experimental wing integration tasks while NASA engineers flight test the Mod II configuration at the same time,” said Tom Rigney, NASA X-57 Project Manager. “One of our key goals is to overcome the many challenges associated with integrating these new all-electric technologies and to flight test them as soon as possible. This fuselage helps us to achieve this essential goal.” said Rigney. “We want to quickly provide lessons learned to the aviation industry to help them to develop and safely fly new all-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft that have so many potential benefits.”
Why it’s important: Empirical Systems Aerospace is applying a plug-and-play approach to the electrification of aviation by combining a proven airframe with electric propulsors. The company is adopting a dispersed propulsion approach, similar to other firms such as Verdego Aero, to maximize their efficiency gains during flight. ESAero’s contract with NASA has most likely also caught the eye of Uber, as the ride-sharing company is engaged in an ongoing developmental relationship with NASA as well.
Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah
Electrafly, a self-funded aviation startup based in Utah, has announced plans to partner with Utah’s very own dedicated unmanned aircraft system test sight operator Deseret. Set to begin in 2019, flights over the FAA-sanctioned test area will work all the way up to forward flight of a single passenger. The aircraft, dubbed the Electraflyer, is a hybrid electric multi-copter, meaning...

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

Electrafly, a self-funded aviation startup based in Utah, has announced plans to partner with Utah’s very own dedicated unmanned aircraft system test sight operator Deseret. Set to begin in 2019, flights over the FAA-sanctioned test area will work all the way up to forward flight of a single passenger. The aircraft, dubbed the Electraflyer, is a hybrid electric multi-copter, meaning it features the combination of a gas powered turbine and several electrically driven propellers. All-together the distributed propulsion system produces enough thrust to carry the 75 lb. airframe and a single person.

The electrafly prototype, with its four winged propeller arms, combines the best qualities of fixed wing and multicopter aircraft.
Deseret Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is a company dedicated to the advancement of drone related technology under development in Utah. Furthermore, it intends to attract new businesses to its home state. Tulinda Larsen, executive director of Deseret UAS believes “the biggest untapped resource in the U.S. and the world is our airspace”. Deseret currently has access to a smaller test facility, called the Xperience Center, and is working to secure larger FAA approved test sights throughout Utah.
ElectraFly’s founder and director of development John Manning is optimistic about the partnership with Deseret. “The work that Deseret UAS is doing is really a miracle for us in terms of how the timing is working out,” Manning said. “Having designated flight areas where FAA exemptions are in place is critical to us and the industry to making continued research progress.” Consistent effort is critical to new entrants in the rapidly growing urban air mobility market. In addition to the manned test flights with Deseret, Electrafly will pursue an initial application of its technology in unmanned package delivery.

Electrafly founder John Manning joins the wings to the center section of the prototype Electraflyer aircraft.
Why it’s Important: Test flights in designated areas will prove key in traversing the difficult regulatory landscaping that opposes urban air mobility startups. This partnership between Electrafly and Deseret UAS sets an example for how similar companies across the globe can prove their technology is safe and ready to launch.
Bell Recruits Moog for Air Taxi Flight Actuation
Bell has added yet another partner to the growing list that will be developing its Air Taxi. Moog’s role will be to design the Flight Control Actuation System. As a reminder, Bell has yet to unveil the full version of its Air Taxi. For now, it has shown mockups of the planned interior of the aircraft, which was featured with...

Bell Recruits Moog for Air Taxi Flight Actuation

Bell has added yet another partner to the growing list that will be developing its Air Taxi. Moog’s role will be to design the Flight Control Actuation System.
As a reminder, Bell has yet to unveil the full version of its Air Taxi. For now, it has shown mockups of the planned interior of the aircraft, which was featured with an immersive VR experience at both CES and South by Southwest earlier this year. Bell has commented that it has not yet unveiled the full aircraft design because it would like to keep its propulsion system design private.

Bell’s Air Taxi interior is impressive, utilizing augmented reality as well as a control panel made up nearly entirely of screens.
Moog, the latest partner to Bell in addition to Safran, Garmin, EPS, and Thales, is an expert aircraft designer and supplier. For over 50 years, Moog Aircraft has provided many kinds of motion control technology ranging in use from commercial aircraft to power-generation turbines and even Formula One racing. While Bell will be responsible for the design, development and production of the VTOL systems, Moog will include providing the all-electric, fly-by-wire actuators and electronics used to direct and control the aircraft’s propulsion system and aero-surfaces.

“We are absolutely delighted that Moog has been selected by Bell to partner on this exciting program to explore and develop the on-demand mobility market. –Ralph Elbert, group vice president & GM of Moog Aircraft
“Bell continues to identify solutions and teammates that will achieve new possibilities together,” Scott Drennan, vice president of Innovation at Bell. “Within this collaboration, Moog will ensure an advanced, fully integrated actuation system which will provide a safe, reliable and affordable solution for our aircraft.”
Why its important: With the addition of Moog to its team, Bell has brought the number of partners on its air taxi project up to five. Also included are Thales for flight controls, Garmin for avionics, Safran for hybrid propulsion, and EPS for energy storage. Moog’s long-time expertise will help Bell develop flight technologies that meet cost, performance, weight, and reliability requirements for on-demand urban aviation.
Wing, Alphabet’s Delivery Drones, Set for Finland Launch in 2019
Alphabet, the holding company in charge of Google Inc. and other similar initiatives announced a status update for their Wing project last week. On Wing’s website, plans were unveiled to perform trial runs for the drone-based package delivery service in Finland beginning in 2019. This project will be a follow-on to a trial that has been on-going in south-eastern Australia...

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

Alphabet, the holding company in charge of Google Inc. and other similar initiatives announced a status update for their Wing project last week. On Wing’s website, plans were unveiled to perform trial runs for the drone-based package delivery service in Finland beginning in 2019. This project will be a follow-on to a trial that has been on-going in south-eastern Australia for the past 18-months.
The Wing aircraft, funded originally as an Alphabet Moonshot Factory X-project, is a small electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of delivery packages up to 3.3 lbs a distance of about 6.2 miles. The aircraft features combines vertical lift from two sources: a distributed array of upward-facing propellers and a small wing. Two dedicated forward-facing motors provide thrust to enable forward motion through the air. The design architecture is similar to several larger air taxi-sized eVTOL aircraft, most notably Rolls Royce’s urban air mobility concept. While the Wing is unmanned, success with trials in Finland and Australia may improve regulatory confidence in this type of aircraft, shortening the path toward commercial readiness across the eVTOL industry.

Packages will be delivered for free during the trial run, until Wing is ready for commercial availability.
This project is just another way in which Finland has demonstrated their commitment to fostering improvement in the aviation industry. A similar trial-run in place in Finland is the Helsinki Electric Airplane Association’s test run of an all-electric aircraft. Fortum aviation, who entered the project with aircraft the Pipistrel Alpha Electro, believes “electrification of transportation is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions”, which has been a major goal of Finnish economic policy in the 21st century.
Why it’s Important: Unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) platforms like Alphabet’s Wing are expanding trial runs to more regions of the world, putting the global airspace to the test. This will pave the way for the safe, and properly regulated introduction air taxis and urban air mobility.
Lift Unveils Hexa All Electric Personal Flying Machine
Lift Aircraft, based in Austin, TX, has unveiled a flying production-design of its Hexa aircraft concept. The electric vertical take off and landing eVTOL flying machine, shown below, features impressive simplicity and redundancy that will enable personal use by tourists and amateur enthusiasts. Designed for 8-15 minute flights in scenic and uncongested areas, the aircraft relies on 18 propellers to get...

Lift Unveils Hexa All Electric Personal Flying Machine

Lift Aircraft, based in Austin, TX, has unveiled a flying production-design of its Hexa aircraft concept. The electric vertical take off and landing eVTOL flying machine, shown below, features impressive simplicity and redundancy that will enable personal use by tourists and amateur enthusiasts.
Designed for 8-15 minute flights in scenic and uncongested areas, the aircraft relies on 18 propellers to get its 432 lb carbon fiber airframe off the ground. Floats mounted underneath the seat allow the Hexa to land on water, unlocking a unique amphibious capability during operation. Safety measures, including an automatic ballistic parachute for emergencies and a semi-autonomous flight control system, make the personal flying machine especially attractive to the everyday user. All that is required of the pilot is interaction with a single 3-axis joystick and the seven-inch touchscreen interface.
Lift plans to certify the aircraft under the FAA’s ultralight category, meaning users will not be required to have a pilot’s license in order to fly it. This limit’s the aircraft to an altitude of a few hundred feet, which Lift thinks is plenty to serve its core purpose: thrilling recreational flight.
Lift is currently preparing for a Series A funding round while considering the location in which to roll out its first personal flying experience. One city under investigation is Seattle, where the aircraft can be enjoyed by tourists seeking to explore the beautiful water features characteristic of the area. Life CEO, Matt Chasen is excited about the speed at which his team of eight engineers has reached this level of commercial availability. Chasen, who has flown the aircraft himself, is confident “[Hexa] will be flying years before anyone else.”
Why it’s Important: Multi-seat eVTOL air taxis require complicated regulatory approval and advanced battery technology. Simple and easy single-pilot aircraft like Hexa don’t have to wait for these issues to be worked out, and may be the first commercially viable eVTOL flying machines to market.
VerdeGo Aero Partners with Seyer Industries for Propulsion System Manufacturing
VerdeGo Aero, a company specializing in the manufacturing of powertrains for hybrid-electric flying cars, has announced its strategic partnership with Seyer Industries, a long-time expert in Aerospace manufacturing. VerdeGo Aero recently made a pivot from building its own flying car to providing fully fleshed out IDEP (integrated distributed electric propulsion) systems for eVTOL air taxis and similar aircraft. Founded by...

VerdeGo Aero Partners with Seyer Industries for Propulsion System Manufacturing

VerdeGo Aero, a company specializing in the manufacturing of powertrains for hybrid-electric flying cars, has announced its strategic partnership with Seyer Industries, a long-time expert in Aerospace manufacturing.
VerdeGo Aero recently made a pivot from building its own flying car to providing fully fleshed out IDEP (integrated distributed electric propulsion) systems for eVTOL air taxis and similar aircraft. Founded by Erik Lindberg, the grandson of Charles Lindbergh, the company seeks to become an industry leader in designing and delivering the systems of electric motors, wiring, and controllers, batteries and hybrid engines necessary for propulsion.
The recent partnership between Seyer and VerdeGo includes financial investment from Seyer, as well as a commitment to jointly build a manufacturing supply chain for VerdeGo’s IDEP systems. Together, the two companies hope to enable the next generation of quiet, efficient, reliable aircraft for markets ranging from urban air mobility to Military missions. VerdeGo and Seyer will initially focus on producing hybrid systems, eventually transitioning into fully electric solutions as battery technology improves.

“The St Louis community was a key part of enabling both my grandfather’s historic flight, and
my work with the XPrize foundation on private spaceflight. It is really special to be partnering
with Seyer Industries to open up the next big leap in aviation – flying cars”–Charles Lindbergh, founder of VerdeGo Aero
Seyer Industries was founded in 1957 and is based out of St. Louis, Missouri. It is a supplier to both commercial and defense OEMs as well as a supplier directly to the US Department of Defense. Seyer is the winner of Lockheed Martin’s 2007 F-35 Small Business of the Year Award, the Premier Supplier Certification from Bell Helicopter in 2010, and Gulfstream’s Superior Performance Award in 2015.

“Seyer Industries sees a huge potential as innovative aerospace companies around the world compete to develop short-range VTOL aircraft with electric propulsion. Our financial investment in VerdeGo and our strategic supply chain partnership enables Seyer to become a key supplier for all of the aircraft utilizing VerdeGo’s IDEP systems.” –Chris Seyer, CEO of Seyer Industries
Why it’s important: VerdeGo Aero’s partnership with Seyer Industries shows that VerdeGo, along with other companies like EHang, is preparing to enter the large–scale manufacturing stage of its production. This indicates VerdeGo’s anticipation of a large upcoming market for its integrated distributed electric propulsion systems (IDEP) specifically made for urban VTOLs.
JETCopter Completes Turbine Testing
JETCopter has announced successful testing of its jet-powered VTOL propulsion system, confirming feasibility for the future aircraft. The future aircraft has a predicted range of 620 miles and top speed of 180mph. Specific details released about the turbines include that they are each 6.6ft in diameter, and create thrust comparable to 36ft helicopter rotors. On November 19th, the company sent out...

JETCopter Completes Turbine Testing

JETCopter has announced successful testing of its jet-powered VTOL propulsion system, confirming feasibility for the future aircraft. The future aircraft has a predicted range of 620 miles and top speed of 180mph.
Specific details released about the turbines include that they are each 6.6ft in diameter, and create thrust comparable to 36ft helicopter rotors. On November 19th, the company sent out a press release announcing the successful testing of the propulsion system, confirming feasibility of the aircraft.
The JETCopter is unique in that it is one of the only VTOLs powered by jet-fans. It’s built to be adapted with twin 400 horsepower traditional automotive engines, which push air at high speeds through endpoint ducted nozzles that provide both lift and control for the aircraft. According to company, the contained-rotor system could be a safer option for urban areas than other designs with exposed rotors.
In mid-November, JETCopter released images for an updated version of its design that can carry an additional passenger and be adapted for cargo transport. This update made it one of the largest-capacity VTOLs on the market, and gave the new aircraft the ability to drive on roads as well as through the skies.

JET Copter will bring a full-scale mockup of its latest design AERO 2019 aviation exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany in April 2019.
Why its important: The successful completion of the propulsion system test moves JETCopter from a pie-in-the-sky idea to a definite eventual aircraft type, which some are calling ‘copter-planes.’ The successful tests also shows that the JETCopter company can successfully deliver on its goals, and have realistic progress benchmarks. The company plans to develop a full prototype within 24 months.
Assen Aero Flight Tests A1 Hoverbike
Assen Aero successfully flight tested a prototype of their A1 Hoverbike. A video posted to Youtube earlier this week shows the bike flown remotely at low altitudes. This is the one of the first steps towards full scale technology demonstration, which may include Hoverbike races as early as next year. Assen Aero, based in South Florida, has been working on...

Assen Aero Flight Tests A1 Hoverbike

Assen Aero successfully flight tested a prototype of their A1 Hoverbike. A video posted to Youtube earlier this week shows the bike flown remotely at low altitudes.
This is the one of the first steps towards full scale technology demonstration, which may include Hoverbike races as early as next year. Assen Aero, based in South Florida, has been working on this aircraft for two and a half years and is confident they are on track to schedule.
The A1 is a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft combining a gas-driven piston engine and three ducted electrical fans for quiet lift. Focused on safety and reduced risk, the aircraft has a top speed of about 60 mph and can climb to an altitude of 4,000 ft. Assen’s CEO and founder justifies this moderate performance as a stepping stone for the emerging VTOL/air taxi technology. “We believe that the way to influence social acceptance is by removing the risk from the public and so we have focused on the leisure and extreme sport application as we believe these vehicles will blend more naturally into people’s lives in these roles” says Andonov.
Learn more about Assen Aero, the A1, and founder Assen Andonov in episode two of Flying Car Podcast here.
More information about the A1 can also be found on Assen Aero’s website or on our aircraft page.
Why it matters: Assen Aero is demonstrating confidence in their A1 prototype as excitement surrounding VTOL aircraft and Hoverbike racing grows. Flight tests depicted in their recent video show the design is progressing towards commercial readiness, planned for 2019.
Urban VTOL Carrier Quantum XYZ Orders Surefly Octocopters
Los Angeles based urban air taxi carrier Quantum XYZ has placed a pre-order for Workhorse SureFly hybrid-electric octocopters. Quantum XYZ plans to use the aircraft to be the first urban air VTOL service to market. Zeeshan Moha, Vice President and Chief Route Architect of Quantum XYZ told prnewswire.com, “We invite a future where safe, on-demand air travel is as ubiquitous as car...

Urban VTOL Carrier Quantum XYZ Orders Surefly Octocopters

Los Angeles based urban air taxi carrier Quantum XYZ has placed a pre-order for Workhorse SureFly hybrid-electric octocopters. Quantum XYZ plans to use the aircraft to be the first urban air VTOL service to market. Zeeshan Moha, Vice President and Chief Route Architect of Quantum XYZ told prnewswire.com, “We invite a future where safe, on-demand air travel is as ubiquitous as car service, a future in which aircrafts consume half the energy but generate twice the fun.” Quantum XYZ is currently pursuing FAA certification that will enable them to operate in the Los Angeles air space.
The Surefly octocopter is a futuristic design, featuring eight independent motors that drive eight carbon fiber propellers. With a hybrid-electric propulsion system, the aircraft has gas powered piston engines that provide power for its electric motors. It can carry two people, one pilot and one passenger, for a flight distance of about 70 miles or one hour. In case of emergency, the aircraft carries a backup battery power system and even a ballistic parachute for safe landing. This emphasis on safety will help with FAA certification of the aircraft, which the designer/manufacturer Workhorse is currently pursuing.
Surefly is one of many eVTOL multicopters that are eager to enter the air taxi market. Others, like Volocopter, are progressing rapidly towards certification, undergoing tests to demonstrate feasibility of operation. While the technology is reaching a mature point, certification of operation remains uncertain. There is no doubt that the future is exciting in this market.
Why it’s important: eVTOL air taxi service carrier Quantum XYZ has reached a point in their path to market entry where they are comfortable pre-ordering an aircraft for operation. The aircraft chosen was Workhorses Surefly, a hybrid-electric octocopter with exciting reliability that may lead to rapid certification.
EHang Partners with FACC for Production
EHang has signed with Austrian composites manufacturer FACC to optimize the EHang 184 for production, marking the next step in the 184’s journey to commercial use. The EHang 184 is a two-passenger, quad-rotor eVTOL capable of flying about 35 miles between each charge. The 184 has completed over 1,000 passenger flight tests in places like Dubai, China and other...

EHang Partners with FACC for Production

EHang has signed with Austrian composites manufacturer FACC to optimize the EHang 184 for production, marking the next step in the 184’s journey to commercial use.
The EHang 184 is a two-passenger, quad-rotor eVTOL capable of flying about 35 miles between each charge. The 184 has completed over 1,000 passenger flight tests in places like Dubai, China and other countries. You can learn more about the EHang 184 here.
In an important step last week, EHang signed with composite manufacture FACC AG to optimize the EHang 184 for production. FACC AG is a subsidiary Chinese aerospace group AVIC. The agreement will include the development of a test site in Austria.

“As a technology partner of the global aerospace industry, FACC has a broad spectrum of systems expertise ranging from research, design, development, certification and global production to the maintenance of high-tech products for aircraft. This enables us to be fully equipped and dedicated when it comes to implementing safe and highly efficient lightweight solutions for individual air mobility around smart cities. In this respect, the partnership with EHang takes us a big step forward”. –FACC CEO Robert Machtlinger
This agreement is important to note because the partnership will allow EHang to move beyond prototyping into production. In the new partnership, EHang’s responsibilities will involve readying and managing the connectivity and software for autonomous air mobility, while FACC will focus on the hardware necessary for mass production and certification.
Why it’s important: EHang’s partnership with FACC marks the first step toward serial production. As regulatory hurdles begin to be passed, demand for urban aviation vehicles will come in far higher volumes than can be built through prototype building methods. EHang’s partnership with FACC will allow EHang to become one of the first to meet the demand for commercial air taxis.
Volocopter tested by German rescue service ADAC for Air Rescue
German rescue service ADAC Luftrettung is partnering with Volocopter in a study that will test the feasibility of electric vertical takeoff (eVTOL) aircraft for medical rescue missions. The study, planned for Spring 2019, will cost approximately $570,000 and will use the manned version of the Volocopter shown below. By supporting this study, ADAC Luftrettung is the first ever air rescue organization to test...

Volocopter tested by German rescue service ADAC for Air Rescue

German rescue service ADAC Luftrettung is partnering with Volocopter in a study that will test the feasibility of electric vertical takeoff (eVTOL) aircraft for medical rescue missions. The study, planned for Spring 2019, will cost approximately $570,000 and will use the manned version of the Volocopter shown below.
By supporting this study, ADAC Luftrettung is the first ever air rescue organization to test multicopters for emergency rescue services. The type of rescue mission under study will be transporting emergency doctors to patients in two emergency service areas, Germany’s states of Bavaria and Rhineland.
The Volocopter is a manned eVTOL aircraft designed to operate in urban areas. Its fully electrical propulsion system can carry two passengers a distance of about 19 miles. Due to its high level of redundancy, the Volocopter is an extremely safe and reliable choice for air taxi, heavy lift transport, and rescue services in all types of airspace.
Volocopter and ADAC are both very excited about the partnership. Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter firmly believes “in the Volocopter’s potential for large-scale use as an air shuttle for emergency doctors”. ADAC Managing Director of air rescue Frédéric Bruder says this is business as usual for the german rescue service, since “50 years ago, ADAC was among the first in Germany to field test the use of rescue helicopters.”
Why it’s Important: eVTOL aircraft like the Volocopter may permanently change the way air rescue is performed, improving response time in critical medical situations. Germany’s ADAC and Volocopter are taking the first step in making this a reality.
VTOL Aviation India May Compete with Uber Elevate
A new startup has emerged in Mumbai, India. VTOL Aviation India seeks to develop a safe, effective, and efficient air taxi for India, even as Uber Elevate eyes the area for initial test flights. According to VTOL Aviation India’s website, its goal is to “define a transition aircraft concept with better performance in safety, noise, speed, range and payload than...

VTOL Aviation India May Compete with Uber Elevate

A new startup has emerged in Mumbai, India. VTOL Aviation India seeks to develop a safe, effective, and efficient air taxi for India, even as Uber Elevate eyes the area for initial test flights.
According to VTOL Aviation India’s website, its goal is to “define a transition aircraft concept with better performance in safety, noise, speed, range and payload than existing concepts, while cutting complexity to one third and reducing the emissions to absolutely negligible fractions.”
It’s possible that because the company is beginning its air taxi efforts now, it will be ready for India market before Uber Elevate arrives. VTOL Aviation India was founded by Mr. Kalyan Chowdhury, who originally held expertise in the shipping and logistics industry in India. The company envisions that its aircraft will be used for civil defense, paramedic & emergency services, surveillance, aviation training, and Tourism & Business Chartering.
The ‘transition aircraft’ as the company calls it, is being developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. It features eight vertical rotors which lift it vertically, and a ninth rear-facing that provides thrust for horizontal flight. Unlike other VTOL designs, the aircraft does not feature a tilting wing, which reduces the amount of complex moving parts on the aircraft and may therefore bring down manufacturing cost. This design is similar to the KittyHawk Cora which is backed by Google co-founder Larry Page.
VTOL Aviation India yet has yet to make any comments about its position as opposed to Uber Elevate, but its existence may pressure Uber into choosing India as its first international launch city in order to capture the market before companies like VTOL Aviation India do so. Learn more about the company’s goals and vision here.
Uber Elevate has already selected Dallas, Texas, and Los Angeles California in the United States as it’s initial test locations, but is still deciding on third launch location as either Australia, Brazil, India, France, or Japan. Japan has already founded an initiative to integrate flying cars into the market, and officials in Australia have recently met with Uber Elevate execs as well.
Why its important: Competition is rising for the emerging on-demand VTOL industry around the world. As the impending success of the industry becomes more and more apparent, it’s very likely that smaller companies like VTOL Aviation India will begin popping up all over the world; as their geographical location would give them a leg up on bigger companies like Uber in their respective areas.
Audi and Airbus Have a Working Model of the Pop.Up
At the Drone Week conference in Amsterdam, Audi and Airbus jointly showed off a one-fourth scale working model of the Pop.Up concept, which Airbus debuted in May of 2017. The Pop.Up is a three-part modular vehicle consisting of a passenger pod, a four-wheeled ground adaptation designed by Audi, and a a quad-copter attachment for urban flight. The Pop.Up model featured...

Audi and Airbus Have a Working Model of the Pop.Up

At the Drone Week conference in Amsterdam, Audi and Airbus jointly showed off a one-fourth scale working model of the Pop.Up concept, which Airbus debuted in May of 2017.
The Pop.Up is a three-part modular vehicle consisting of a passenger pod, a four-wheeled ground adaptation designed by Audi, and a a quad-copter attachment for urban flight.
The Pop.Up model featured at Drone Week was built in collaboration with Italdesign, a world-renowned subsidiary of Audi. In addition to the smaller working model, the companies also exhibited full size mockups of the Pop.Up. Attendees got the chance to experience what it would be like to use the the vehicle.
In the test flight, the small scale prototype picked up the passenger pod from the ground vehicle, carried it a significant distance, and the deposited it back onto the ground vehicle to continue its journey. While the model itself was fairly small, the technology exhibited was impressive and sleek to say the least.
While regulations may be lagging behind, the emergence of the Pop.Up prototype at Drone Week shows that the technology required for aircraft like this is well on its way to ready for market.
And the Pop.Up isn’t Airbus’s only urban aviation aircraft. Also in development is the Airbus Vahana. Vahana is a project worked on by the A^3 technological development arm of Airbus, and is located in Santa Clara, CA. The aircraft uses variable-angle rotors that provide thrust vertically for takeoff and landing and swivel forward to facilitate accelerated conventional flight.
Why it’s important: With more and more important urban air mobility announcements coming out daily, the world is starting to notice. The Pop.Up prototype video was featured by both Bloomberg and Forbes, and multiple major news networks like CNN have also recently covered stories like the Hoversurf police training in Dubai. Without a doubt, the public is becoming more and more aware of the upcoming urban air mobility revolution, pushing progress further forward.
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