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Aerial mobility developer Wisk has officially announced a partnership with BLADE Urban Air Mobility to provide and operate up to 30 eVTOL aircraft on key routes. Wisk, originally founded from Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk, is developer of the all-electric, autonomous Cora aircraft, which has already conducted hundreds of flight tests, and has partnered with the likes of Boeing and Air New Zealand.

Blade and Wisk intend to deploy the Cora eVTOL aircraft on short distance routes between BLADE’s dedicated terminals. Wisk will maintain ownership and operating rights of the vehicles and has agreed to flight hour minimums with BLADE.

In addition to the announcement, the two companies have agreed to create a taskforce that will research the deployment of technologies necessary to expedite aircraft charging and implement next-generation air traffic management. The partnership combines Wisk’s technical expertise in vehicle design and operations with BLADE’s six years of operations experience in helicopter aerial mobility.

“We look forward to working with Wisk to help accelerate Blade’s transition from conventional rotorcraft to safe, quiet, emission-free Electric Vertical Aircraft,” said Rob Wiesenthal, CEO of Blade.

“This arrangement validates that UAM is the future of mobility,” said Gary Gysin, CEO of Wisk. “To date, we have been focused on developing an aircraft and customer experience that is efficient, accessible, and — most importantly — safe. The combination of our expertise as an autonomous eVTOL aircraft manufacturer and operator, with the operational expertise of Blade, will help usher in an even greater level of safety and service.”

“The Wisk-Blade arrangement is a perfect fit for our asset light model,” said Will Heyburn, CFO and Head of Corporate Development for Blade. “Backed by Boeing’s deep aerospace experience, Wisk will own, operate and maintain their aircraft as part of our network, allowing Blade to focus on delivering a great experience to our fliers.”

Why it matters: Through this partnership, Wisk will become one of the first eVTOL manufacturers to reach commercial operation in the U.S, by utilizing BLADE’s platform and existing business and operations infrastructure. BLADE conversely benefits by leveraging eVTOLs as an early adopter, with less risk than being a developer, since Wisk will maintain ownership and day-to-day operation of the vehicles. Notably, this is BLADE’s second eVTOL developer partnership, closely following a deal with Beta Technologies last month.

Source: Wisk Press Release

XTI Aircraft Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Enterprise Estonia, Estonian Aviation Cluster (EAC), and the Estonian Aviation Academy (EAVA) to recognize Estonia as a Regional Mobility hub for the TriFan 600 hybrid-electric long-range vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) airplane.

“We are excited to partner with Enterprise Estonia, the EAC, and the EAVA to serve the needs of the regional air mobility market,” said Robert LaBelle, Chief Executive Officer, XTI Aircraft Company. He added: “Given Estonia’s track record of being at the forefront of technology innovation, we intend to foster this relationship to deliver maximum results for both parties to include long range mobility utilizing clean aviation technology, while expanding the country’s aerospace centers of excellence.” According to Mr. Kristo Reinsalu, the city of Tallinn, Estonia has enormous potential to become a regional air mobility hub by 2026.

Sigrid Harjo, Member of Enterprise Estonia’s Management Board said: “The Estonian Investment Agency is very pleased to support advanced technology companies like XTI Aircraft. Estonia embraces innovative solutions and wants to be at the forefront of implementing them, so it’s the perfect place for XTI Aircraft to use as a testbed for its innovative planes and as a regional hub in the future.”

Learn more about the XTI TriFan 600’s technical specifications in the TransportUP Hangar

XTI Aircraft’s luxury long-distance VTOL is capable of flying at 345mph for a range of 1200 nautical miles, seating five passengers, and of course, taking off and landing vertically. Since 2017, XTI Aircraft Company has made numerous announcements regarding orders of its TriFan 600 from customers across the globe. Notably, Brazil’s Icon Aviation has placed orders for the XTI aircraft and brought the company’s total orders to over 80. Furthermore, The company marks a major milestone this week by selecting GE’s Catalyst engine as the core of its TriFan600 hybrid-electric propulsion system. GE will not only be the supplier for XTI Aircraft, but will also work closely with the company to develop a series hybrid architecture that will meet the TriFan600 performance requirements.

Related: XTI Aircraft Hits 80 Orders, Partners with Heliflite

Why it’s important: Estonia’s unique location in Europe means it could revolutionize regional connectivity by connecting hundreds of active airports and 100 million people inside a circle of 1000 km by using advanced air mobility solutions such as the TriFan 600. Additionally, Estonia intends to become one of Europe’s climate neutral aviation spots with all regional domestic flights becoming net carbon emission-free by 2030. The signing of this MoU signifies an ever-expanding presence of aerial mobility across the globe.

Source // XTI Aircraft press release

While international air travel still suffers major load factor reductions due to COVID, domestic travel in the United States and other countries globally continues to grow towards pre-pandemic levels. Data from the Transportation Security Administration indicates that the rolling average load factor for air travel in the US has exceeded 60% of 2019 levels, up from only 15% of original 2019 load factor levels in 2020. With many aerial mobility companies lauding 2023 and 2024 entry into service dates, will the reduced quantity of air travel negatively affect initial operations?

Most generally, no. Since initial operations of aerial mobility aircraft will be more limited than full scale networks, initial flights between city points or urban areas to area airports will be few in number regardless of total domestic demand. Additionally, since the demand for private and general aviation has skyrocketed as travelers increasingly favor modes of air travel with less direct contact with other travelers, a hybridized model for future passengers is most likely.

In addition, recent IATA trends also show that international travel is increasing, and a large proportion of air travel models indicate recoveries (in full or to their new peak load factor levels) within three years. Urban mobility companies like BLADE have resumed continuous flights between Manhattan and area airports, which were discontinued during the deepest portion of the travel rut of 2020. In many ways, the reduction in air travel demand over the past year has also allowed many manufacturers the chance to focus more heavily on their technology and flight testing campaigns, driving more value into their ultimate products.

Why it’s important: While demand for air travel is not yet fully restored to pre-pandemic levels, examination of past trends toward recovery from past events such as oil embargos shows some loose predictions for the future of aerial mobility load factor demand. The target entry to service date for most eVTOL aircraft of 2023 to 2024, at the earliest, should support and match the majority of increased traffic demand predictions from current levels. And, since the demand for general aviation and private air travel during COVID was one of the largest areas for the industry’s growth, aerial mobility’s alignment with similar market sectors is well poised for the future.

The female-led drone company MightyFly has raised $5.1 million of seed funding to scale hiring and production of its eVTOL aircraft. Meanwhile, the FAA has already granted the startup a special airworthiness certificate to allow for conducting test flights of its hybrid-electric MF-100. Ultimately, MightFly’s mission is to provide “rapid and Efficient Access to Goods via Autonomous Cargo Aircraft.”

The funding round includes investments from 500 Startups, At One Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Graph Ventures, and Halogen Ventures. The funding will be used to expand hiring, scale up MightyFly’s fleet, and build the infrastructure required to support a global network of hubs.

The MightyFly MF-100 is a hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with a cargo capacity of 100 lbs, cruising speed of 150 mph, and range of 600 miles. It is approximately the size of a midsize car, though a larger aircraft with a cargo capacity of 500 lbs. is planned. MightyFly aircraft are capable of making multiple deliveries during the same flight via a door in the nose section, and cargo will be switched in and out of the MF-100 aircraft using a conveyor belt-like system. The cargo transfer stations will be as close as possible to final addresses for deliveries with the actual “last mile” sector being completed, eventually, in electric autonomous ground vehicles. Customers are expected to include existing logistics providers, retail outlets, and medical services.

According to cofounder and CEO Manal Habib, while there is a growing demand for expedited deliveries, the current business model doesn’t work because to be profitable it depends on each truck and aircraft being almost fully loaded. MightyFly’s objective is to make its entire operation autonomous, with a small team supervising flights and transfers remotely.

Credit // MightyFly

The aircraft will also be equipped with automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) In and Out, as well as communicate with the unmanned aircraft system traffic management network and MightyFly’s own 24/7 control center. The MightyFly MF-100 has received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA, and test flights are being performed in California. The company aims to achieve FAA Part 135 certification, and airworthiness certifications in other markets, like Australia and Asia.

Why it’s important: To quote At One Ventures Managing Partner Tom Chi, “MightyFly is creating a capability that is well positioned to disrupt the landscape of expedited logistics. Compared to existing alternatives, it is faster, lower-cost, and requires no airport infrastructure, all while being carbon neutral. It could also potentially be a leapfrog technology for rural and lesser developed regions of the world. At One Ventures is incredibly excited to be supporting this team in their mission.”

Source // MightyFly press release

Luminar, a publicly traded ($LAZR) LIDAR firm, has entered into a partnership with Airbus to bring the technology to the aerospace and aerial mobility industries. The firm has built a reputation for itself developing sensors and other components for autonomous vehicles, but now looks to explore potential markets in the aerospace industry.

LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method which uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges. The technology is being developed in the automotive industry to realize autonomous driving capabilities, but LIDAR can be found in smaller forms, like the iPhone 12. With its partnership with Luminar, Airbus hopes to explore opportunities to input 3D mapping capabilities into a helicopter or fixed wing aircraft’s avionics to detect and avoid potential obstructions.

The partnership will implement Luminar’s LIDAR technology on exisiting flight test programs at Airbus under the UpNext subsidiary and Flight Lab. Engineers from both companies will work together to “enhance sensing, perception, and system-level capabilities to ultimately enable safe, autonomous flight,” the companies said.

Luminar is publicly traded with a valuation of $2.9B as of last year with initial investments exceeding $170M by the likes of Peter Thiel and Volvo.

Why it matters: If successful, LIDAR has the potential to be a key technology which would enable safe, autonomous flight in future eVTOL platforms. The ability to remove a pilot from the eVTOL environment drastically reduces operating costs and can all but eliminate human error cases of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Airbus is no stranger to the aerial mobility space either. It has previously funded projects like Vahana and CityAirbus and will be able to leverage its engineering prowess with Luminar’s technological capabilities. Expect to see the two companies working together in Airbus’ upcoming flight tests as LIDAR technologies make a bigger impact on aerospace and aerial mobility.

EHang announced on April 28th hat it established a strategic partnership with the city of Zaragoza in Spain. Zaragoza was announced to be the fourth pilot city for EHang’s pilot aerial mobility program in Spain, and follows Seville and Llíria, as well as Linz in Austria.

According to the agreement, EHang and Zaragoza City will jointly promote the implementation of AAV demonstration projects in passenger transportation, aerial tourism, aerial logistics and other application scenarios under the framework of UAM strategic partnership.  They will also collaborate on UAM infrastructure development such as command-and-control center and vertiport. Both parties aim to build an aerial transportation hub in Zaragoza to advance sustainable and eco-friendly development for the city.

Mr. Jorge Azcón Navarro, the Mayor of Zaragoza, and Victoria Xiang, CEO of EHang Spain & Latin America, signed the strategic partnership agreement.

As the fifth largest city in Spain, Zaragoza has superior geographic advantages. Zaragoza actively promotes the development of urban air mobility as one of the members of UIC2 (UAM Initiative Cities Community) in Europe. In the future, with the goal to promote aerial transportation technology into the next stage of development, EHang will conduct flight tests and pilot projects at the Hera Drone Hub and along the Ebro River in Zaragoza. The partnership will also help Zaragoza to further develop UAM innovation Strategy and lead the expansion of UAM in Europe.

The Ebro River, Zaragoza

Mr. Jorge Azcón Navarro, the Mayor of Zaragoza, said, “The partnership with EHang will further drive the city of Zaragoza to become a pioneer and leader in UAM in Spain and Europe. In the future, the general public can enjoy the view of the Cathedral-Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, a national art treasure in Zaragoza, not only from an Ebro river boat but also from passenger-grade AAVs over the Ebro river.”

“Zaragoza is a crucial transportation hub city for Spain and for all of Europe. EHang is committed to make safe, autonomous and eco-friendly air mobility accessible to everyone. As the forerunner of cutting-edge AAV technologies and know-how, EHang will lead innovation and build a sustainable and efficient 3D air mobility solution for Zaragoza,” said Victoria Xiang, CEO of EHang Spain & Latin America. She added, “The partnership will benefit the citizens of Zaragoza by making life more enjoyable and environmentally friendly.”

Why it’s important: EHang’s growing partnerships with pilot cities across the world represent a growing network of aerial mobility hubs that will serve as springboards for future development. EHang’s novel approach of partnering directly with cities has been adopted by other aerial mobility companies as of late, and is likely to yield more grassroots support from specific municipalities when electric aerial mobility aircraft commence operations.

Wingcopter announced on April 27th the development of their new drone generation, the Wingcopter 198. The Wingcopter 198 is an all-electric, vertical-take-off-and-landing (eVTOL), fixed-wing drone that has been designed from the ground up to meet aviation safety and reliability requirements. Importantly, the 198 features a triple-drop delivery system that allows for up to three packages to be delivered in a single flight, foreshadowing potential multi-modal aerial mobility operations schemes.

While the 198 is a small package delivery drone, the use case and mode structure for travel in a larger aerial mobility device with shared rides will aid in decreasing the total cost of ridership while increasing the utilization of aerial mobility aircraft. While the primary use case for aerial mobility is point to point transport of one group, the growing preference among logistical applications to evaluate shared and multi-modal trips is foreshadowing for future use cases within air taxi operation.

Wingcopter 198’s triple drop functionality allows for three nodes during a nominal flight plan. Image // Wingcopter

Serial production according to the European aerospace quality management standard EN9100 at Wingcopter’s German headquarters will start shortly to meet the predicted global demand. Wingcopter also announced the opening of reservation slots for the first 100 of their 198 drones.

Wingcopter stood up an Authorized Partner Program to qualify, certify and enable partners such as drone-as-a-service providers, distributors and dealers to operate, promote, distribute and support Wingcopter technology worldwide, similar to the proposed horizontal integration of many eVTOL manufacturers who plan to outsource development of booking platforms, service networks, and maintenance and repair operation services to third party entities which already specify in those areas. Leveraging such specializations will allow eVTOL makers to focus more heavily on the aircraft themselves and less so on the minutia of operationalizing paying customer flights.

Why it’s important: Wingcopter’s marketing of the 198’s triple-drop capabilities exposes an under appreciated sector of the aerial mobility industry – that of the multi-modal shared rider trip, which allows for higher utilization of aerial mobility aircraft, while also reducing cost of fares for passengers who may be sharing a trip with others, similar to Lyft and Uber Pool. Anticipate future eVTOL route structuring to consider the use of similar schemes for transport nodes.

After recently unveiling its 7-seater eVTOL jet, Lilium has made news again by selecting Munich and Nuremberg to host the company’s initial air taxi hubs.

Discussions for air taxi infrastructure have been in the making for several years. Companies like Volocopter have already been laying down this groundwork in Singapore and Frankfurt, while EHang has started setting up several hubs in China and even begun tourism operations.

Rendering of a Lilium air taxi hub integrated with a German airport

Lilium has begun discussions for an air taxi hub in Florida in the U.S, but also has its attention strongly on European plans. The company hopes to establish its main aerial mobility network in Europe, starting by partnering with existing airports in Munich and Nuremberg. On April 19th, a press release by the company stated that the two hubs in Munich and Nuremberg will enable it to offer air connections between different locations across all of southern Germany.

Said Daniel Wiegand, Lilium’s CEO: “We are doing everything we can to bring our all-electric and ultra-quiet airline service to our home base of Bavaria, as well as to link Munich and Nuremberg even more closely with neighbouring cities and regions. We also want to offer a service for everyone in the Southern German region, with attractive prices and great time savings for all travellers. Munich and Nuremberg airports are key mobility hubs that we will connect with large and small cities throughout the region over time.”

The company’s ultimate goal is to establish aerial mobility networks in highly trafficked cities throughout the globe. In order to do, it has also partnered with Spanish infrastructure company Ferrovial to build at least 10 vertiports in Florida and abroad.

Why it’s important: Lilium is fast becoming one of the world’s leading developers of both innovative eVTOL aircraft and the infrastructure that they will require. Joining companies like Volocopter, Joby Aviation, and EHang, Lilium is slowly transitioning its attention from aircraft development to roll-out plans, signaling the quickening growth and forward progress of the air taxi industry.

Bye Aerospace has announced an eight-seat all-electric twin turbo-prop class airplane, the eFlyer 800, in response to growing demands for regional all-electric airplanes with significantly reduced operating costs, plus increased capacity and utility.

Bye Aerospace eFlyer 800

Performance estimates for the eFlyer 800 include up to 320 knot cruise speed, 35,000 feet ceiling and 500 nm range with 45-minute IFR reserves at normal cruise speed of 280 knots. Safety features include two wing-mounted electric motors, each with dual redundant motor windings, quad-redundant battery packs and a full airplane parachute. Additional potential features include emergency auto-landing system, intelligent algorithm ensuring envelope protection, terrain avoidance and routing for emergency auto-land, and also an option for supplemental power solar cells and in-wheel electric taxi. The airplane’s 8-seat configuration consists of up to seven passengers and one or two pilots. The eFlyer 800 will have only one-fifth the operating costs of traditional twin turboprops and is geared for the air-taxi, air-cargo, regional and charter aircraft markets.

“The eFlyer 800 is the first all-electric propulsion technology airplane that achieves twin-turboprop performance and safety with no CO₂ and extremely low operating costs,” said George E. Bye, Bye Aerospace CEO. “This type of remarkable economy and performance is made possible by the electric propulsion system and advanced battery cell technology that results in significantly higher energy densities.”

Bye Aerospace and Safran are currently assessing the most efficient electric powertrain for the eFlyer 800 (dual ENGINeUS™ electric motors and GENeUSGRID™ electric distribution and network protection system). “Safran product lines with the ENGINeUS™ motors, rated from 50kW to 500kW/1MW and GENeUSGRID™ systems, perfectly fit with the Bye Aerospace portfolio of e-aircraft,” said Hervé Blanc, Executive Vice President and General Manager Power with Safran Electrical & Power. “Building upon our successful cooperation on eFlyer2 and eFlyer4, we are very proud to bring our best expertise to support Bye Aerospace in the design of the new eFlyer 800.”

Bye said eFlyer 800 customer deposit agreements are complete, and several are being developed with U.S. and European air-taxi, air-cargo and air charter services. “Details about those agreements will be announced soon, and as they are finalized,” he said.

Bye Aerospace is in the process of obtaining FAA Part-23 certification for the eFlyer 2 for the professional flight training mission and the four-seat eFlyer 4 for air taxi, cargo and advanced training uses. All the company’s current and future families of aircraft feature engineering, research and electric aircraft solutions designed to specifically address compelling market needs.  Benefits include five-fold lower operating costs, no CO₂ emissions, and decreased noise. Bye Aerospace estimates the eFlyer will eventually eliminate the release of millions of metric tons of CO₂ each year as its deliveries begin and the general aviation fleet is replaced.

Why it matters: Bye Aerospace is extending its product offerings square into the twin-turboprop segment long dominated by the King Air family by Beechcraft. With superior operating costs and customer deposits from a variety of aviation stakeholders, the eFlyer 800 could be the product to finally disrupt the traditional fixed wing aviation space. Expect to see test flights in the near future when Bye Aerospace’s lofty claims about its design will be put to the test.

Source: Bye Aerospace Press Release

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is collaborating with German drone manufacturer and service provider Wingcopter to accelerate the delivery of vital pharmaceuticals and other consumer products via unmanned aircraft. The two aviation innovators are conducting comprehensive trials with the electrical fixed-wing VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft developed by Wingcopter, with the aim of building a drone delivery network capable of serving needs across Japan. ANA HD is providing insights gained from decades of aviation experience that is helping Wingcopter, in full compliance with local aviation regulations, succeed in the unique flight conditions of Japan. Wingcopter is providing support in terms of training of pilots, mission planning, operation design as well as maintenance.

Credit // Wingcopter

“The ongoing tests of Wingcopter aircraft represent a significant step forward in the creation of a viable drone transportation network,” said Tetsuya Kubo, Vice President of ANA HD overseeing the Digital Design Lab. “We are excited to partner with Wingcopter as we build on the advances and innovation of previous trials to bring drone delivery one step closer to reality. Once fully realized, a functioning drone transportation infrastructure will help improve quality of life in rural areas across Japan.”

“Being able to help a global company like ANA open up new business areas and at the same time pursue our mission to save and improve lives, is what we tirelessly work for,“ adds Tom Plümmer, CEO of Wingcopter. “We are really looking forward to the next steps and the overall partnership with ANA in Japan and beyond.”

Related: Wingcopter joins Flying Labs Network to support locally led drone delivery projects

ANA HD has a history of innovation in autonomous technology, testing advanced prototype baggage loaders and towing tractors at Saga Airport. In 2016, ANA HD began to lay the framework for its drone transportation infrastructure, with the aim of fully commercializing drone delivery services by 2022. Drone delivery trials have been conducted in Japan since 2018, and the first flights with Wingcopter aircraft took place in 2019. Also in 2019, ANA HD signed an MOU with Zambia Government to conduct similar field tests with drones to improve the delivery of medical supplies in Zambia.

The first phase of the current tests took place between March 21-26, with the supervised flight of a Wingcopter aircraft between Fukuejima and Hisakajima in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. The flights demonstrated the viability of drone delivery for medical supplies, dramatically reducing patients’ waiting times. In this remote region of Japan, it is difficult to quickly transport medical supplies due to poor infrastructure. This has created problems for public health officials and medical professionals looking to rapidly respond in situations where time is a key factor in treatment.

Because Wingcopter’s fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft are designed to fly for longer distances and more rapidly than other unmanned aircraft, they represent a useful alternative to overland delivery in many regions. The Wingcopter has furthermore proven to be extraordinary resilient to strong wind or inclement weather in projects from stormy Ireland through the hot desert of the United Arab Emirates to freezing-cold arctic Canada.

Moving forward, ANA HD will continue to innovate and embrace new technologies as it looks for ways to leverage its network and assets to better serve the communities in which it operates.

Why it’s important: For Wingcopter, the partnership with ANA HD is the first major step in its quest to expand in the Japanese market. The company recently opened its own representative office in Japan, offering solutions in commercial drone delivery. Tests have already proven aircraft performance in the unique flying conditions of rural Japan, and the ongoing trials will help ANA HD determine which aircraft are suited to operate best in each region of the country, evaluating local weather conditions and demand for drone delivery, as it establishes a series of hubs along the transportation network.

Source // Wingcopter press release

Volocopter and Geely Technology Group, a global mobility technology group, presented the Volocopter 2X eVTOL for the first time in China last week at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition 2021. According to a joint press release issued, the companies are highlighting their cooperation and their aim to introduce urban air mobility to the Chinese market, giving visitors the chance to learn more about this new form of transport.

Volocopter emphasized that in partnership with Geely Technology Group, its commercial on-demand aerial mobility services will soon be introduced in China. The company also shared that their current work is developing a scalable model for production and operations.

The Volocopter Volocity, which will be Volocopter’s featured aircraft for air taxi use.

“Geely’s market leadership in China and forward-thinking approach to expanding mobility options make them a great strategic investor. They are an invaluable partner for bringing urban air mobility to China – one of the most promising markets for the UAM industry globally,” says Florian Reuter, CEO Volocopter.

Volocopter and Geely Technology Group have agreed to enter a joint venture to make UAM services in China a reality and have already applied for a business license. Both companies understand that public awareness in China is one of the key factors to successfully introduce this new mobility concept, which is why they chose to present the Volocopter prototype at the Auto Shanghai 2021.

Volocopter touts their 2X aircraft for its safety and low noise emission levels. Flying at a height of 100m, the sound level of the 2X is imperceptible over normal public street noise levels.

Volocopter is no stranger to operations in Asia. In 2019, the Volocopter 2X flew over Singapore’s Marina Bay to display the possibilities of ATM (air traffic management) and UTM (unmanned traffic management) integration and infrastructure. The current two seat 2X model would be the introductory aircraft utilized in China, but for future services, Volocopter will be using their fifth-generation aircraft, the VoloCity, which is currently in the certification process with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The VoloCity will have an increased speed of 110 km/h and an increased flight duration of 35 minutes.

Why it’s important: Volocopter’s partnership with Geely represents a major step toward Volocopter’s future operations in China. Geely Technology Group, a subsidiary of major Chinese company Geely Automotive Holdings, has even already entered into the growing field of aerial mobility by fully acquiring other mobility companies such as Terrafugia. Track the progress of Volocopter’s certification in China with the CAAC, or whether EASA and the CAAC reach an agreement for joint certification credit, as key indicators of future performance for Volocopter in China.

Aspen Avionics have announced that their Evolution Flight Display System has been chosen to integrate into Dutch company PAL-V’s Liberty flying car as the digital cockpit of choice. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Aspen Avionics builds digital avionic technology for small commercial and general aviation aircraft, and has developed some of the aerospace industry’s first digital flight displays as drop-in replacements for analog mechanical gauges and controls. Aspen Avionics’ GPS-backed digital cockpits provide a full array of real-time flight data including altitude, air speed, weather, terrain, nearby air traffic, and navigational information. 

According to Aspen International Regional Sales Manager Cory Relling, “We designed the Evolution product display over 15 years ago… With over 20,000 displays installed worldwide, we never imagined that an Aspen primary flight display would be among those installations in the first commercial flying car.”

Photograph: PAL-V

The PAL-V Liberty has been in the works for around 20 years, and is a three wheel flying car. Certified to operate in European ground and airspace, the Liberty converts to a gyroplane by folding out its rotors and propellers, which are attached to the roof and back of the car. The company has been flight testing the vehicle since 2012, and expects to achieve flight certification in the next year or two, possibly rolling out the first models for sale sometime in 2022.

According to Aspen Avionics president and CEO John Uczekaj, “We’re very excited and honored to be part of this historic progression in the aviation industry.” The Aspen Avionics’ Evolution Flight Display System will be included as the PAL-V Liberty’s digital cockpit standard in all models. 

Photograph: PAL-V

Why it’s important: PAL-V has been making massive strides in delivering a vehicle that excels at both flight and ground-based driving. The inclusion of Aspen Avionics’ digital cockpit technology only strengthens the Liberty’s viability as one of the premier flying cars soon to be on the market. With the ability to drive on European roads, and making good progress towards its type certificate for flight, expect to see PAL-V’s Liberty on the street and in the air very soon.

Source // Yahoo News

Silicon Valley-based NFT has announced Aska, its eVTOL prototype and the first of its kind suited for owner-operators. The prototype is also one of the first aerial mobility vehicles which plans to be street legal in addition to its flight capabilities.

The Aska will have four seats, with a range of 250 miles at speeds up to 150 mph. It is semi-autonomous, and will require a licensed pilot to operate, although NFT has announced plans to include pilot training for early customers. Full scale demonstration flights are fast approaching in 2022 where NFT hopes to fly Aska as part of NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility National Campaign alongside Boeing, Bell, and others.

“We have focused significantly on Aska’s safety elements, which include dual energy sources, large wings, large propellers, and 6 packs of batteries to ensure Aska is as safe in the air as it is on the ground. We anticipate that flying cars that are accessible to the general public will be as instrumental in re-defining how and where we live as the original automobile was to the foundation of our country’s highway and road systems.” said Guy Kaplinsky, Co-founder & CEO, NFT. “To build a better society and a better economy, we need better transportation solutions, and flying cars will be a part of that equation,” said Maki Kaplinsky, Co-founder & Chair/COO, NFT.

The first 1,500 serial Aska eVTOL aircraft will be a Signature Model priced at $789,000. The price tag includes pilot training and a customized interior and exterior. NFT CEO Guy Kaplinsky says later units will sell for $589,000 and eventually $359,000. Taking after Tesla’s pricing strategy, initial buyers will pay a premium due to low production volumes. As time progresses, NFT hopes to increase production and lower Aska’s purchase price.

As a part of the launch event, NFT has launched a showroom in Los Altos, CA which features Aska mockups and a learning center for those unfamiliar with urban air mobility.

Aska is targeted for an entry to service in 2026, pending regulatory approval and certification.

Why it matters: NFT’s Aska is one of the first consumer-focused eVTOLs with owners being the primary operators. The semi-autonomous vehicle will be street legal and allow operators to transition smoothly from road travel to flight in a matter of minutes. For a refundable initial deposit of $5,000, private citizens now have an opportunity to be early adopters in aerial mobility. With a reasonable unit price, we can expect to see NFT competing for the privately-owned UAM market share as it develops its business strategy and begins test flights in 2022.

magniX, an Everett, WA based company that is producing electric motors for aircraft, recently shared noise testing results from flight tests of its all-electric floatplane, the eBeaver. These tests emphasize the reductions in noise pollution from an electric aircraft versus conventional internal combustion engine powered airframes. While the results are not entirely surprising, they substantiate the benefits of electric motors as both more efficient and quieter than currently available ICE engines. These qualities are key enabling aspects of the growing eVTOL industry, as they support the value proposition for continued investment and development of suitable electric alternatives to the currently available general aviation or light aircraft powerplant.

eBeaver noise testing results

a bar chart of the typical noise levels of the eBeaver aircraft in various phases of operation. Image // magniX

magniX referenced in its press release a study from the Noise and Health International Journal, which found that aircraft noise is one of the most detrimental environmental effects of the aviation industry. This study solidly supported the magniX’s vision for replacing combustion engines with all-electric motors. In particular, the study stated that aviation noise related to ICE engines has the potential to disrupt sleep, adversely affect academic performance in children and even increase the risk for cardiovascular disease of people living near airports. While the general aviation industry did not grow significantly during the past year, projections of the demand for smaller short to medium range aircraft that are efficient and cost effective do provide reinforcement for the value of creating suitable electric alternatives to ICE powered aircraft.

magniX’s data shows an average noise reduction of 16-22 dBA across all phases of flight when comparing the electric ‘eBeaver’ to a traditional ICE-powered Beaver. The eBeaver recorded noise levels of 20.8 dBA lower on average during the takeoff phase and 24 dBA lower at peak compared to the standard Beaver. Noise energy, which is calculated by weighed factors for peak amplitude, and duration, is on the order of 100 times lower in the eBeaver than on a standard Beaver.

“Intuitively, we knew electric powered aircraft should be quieter than traditional powered aircraft, but these results highlight just how significant the difference is which is pretty amazing,” said Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX. “These results are great news for residential communities near airports. A significant overall reduction in aviation-related noise will allow more flexibility in terms of flight times and flight volumes, promoting greater mobility, connection and broader choice in smaller and regional airports.”

Noise regulations continue to be tightened over time by regulators such as the FAA and EASA to help restrict the amount of noise pollution emitted from aircraft. Electric aircraft will enable increased flexibility in operators’ selection of airports and times of operation, as some airports maintain a limited set of hours during which traditional combustion-powered airplanes can perform takeoffs and landings.

Why it’s important: The flight test noise data from magniX’s electric Beaver are clear: electric motors reduce the noise signature in small aircraft such as seaplanes, especially during noisy portions of flight, such as takeoff and when high power settings are used. These same results and powerplant technologies, when applied to eVTOL aircraft, will allow for greater route options and flexibility given a larger suite of airport destinations that are available to aircraft with lower noise emissions.

SF Express, the Chinese integrated logistics provider, intends to expand its delivery network fleet through the deployment of large cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.

To accomplish the expansion, SF Express has partnered with its Munich-based subsidiary, Amazilia Aerospace, and Slovenian aerospace OEM Pipistrel. The synergies achieved via this agreement will ultimately accelerate the development of a commercial large scale UAV operation. Amazilia Aerospace will deliver an advanced digital flight control and vehicle management system for an innovative VTOL cargo drone designed and manufactured by Pipistrel.

SF Express is in pursuit of a VTOL aircraft capable of service in the environment of remote and isolated areas. Specifically, the envisioned aircraft will be able to lift more than 300 kg of cargo in a 2.3m³ volume space over a range of 500km with cruising altitudes up to 6000m and VTOL capability up to 2500m above sea level. Pipistrel specifically designed the aircraft to meet these demanding requirements. Further, the aircraft will be equipped with 8 vertical-lift packages each consisting of a Pipistrel E-811 EASA Type certified powered rotor with highly efficient and redundant battery packs that assure safe operation even if 2 rotors are inoperative. The aircraft design and component production of the prototype will be carried out in Pipistrel facilities.

The Amazilia Aerospace Automatic Flight Control System and Vehicle Management System (AFCS/VMS) is a versatile system that includes both the avionics hardware and software capable of automating the entire cargo mission. It can be integrated into both VTOL and conventional aircraft configurations and has been designed specifically to meet the requirements for large scale logistical operations by logistics companies such as SF Express.

Amazilia Aerospace builds on years of research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) reinforced with aerospace industry experience. The team will develop and deliver an ACFS/VMS which is compliant to aerospace industry standards. This system is not only compatible with the economics of unmanned aerial cargo transport but also scalable and versatile, which integrates well with a variety of aircraft types and sizes.

The aircraft prototype is scheduled to undergo flight testing with the Amazilia Aerospace system in Europe followed by operational validation in China starting in 2022. By 2023, SF Express intends to deploy the HVTOL cargo drone fleet in their domestic and non-domestic business operations.

Why it’s important: In a well-articulated address of the challenges and opportunities ahead, SF EXPRESS VP & SF UAS Chairman LI Dongqi said the following: “Our efforts to achieve 36-hour countrywide delivery throughout China face significant challenges, such as natural barriers, underdeveloped logistics infrastructure, and more, especially in rural China. SF Express intends to adopt cargo VTOL drones to solve this bottleneck due to their flexibility and high speed, which is on par with helicopters, and has low costs which are competitive with truck delivery. The high-altitude capability allows us to extend our civil air cargo service coverage to even difficult to reach mountainous areas. We believe VTOL drones will become a major vehicle in China, and SF Express alone will need more than 1000 in the next 10 years. ”

Source // Pipistrel press release