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ASKA A5 is the world’s first flying car to start the type certification process with the FAA. The Silicon Valley air mobility company’s prototype was awarded Certificate of Authorization (COA) and Special Airworthiness Certification by the FAA and has started flight testing.

Since 2022 ASKA has performed successful ground testing and in Q1/2023 began conducting on-street driving tests. This Special Airworthiness Certificate signals that ASKA™ A5 has successfully met all FAA safety requirements.

“We have achieved a series of technological milestones; debuting the first full-scale working prototype of the ASKA™ A5 in January at CES, successfully performing field and driving tests, and obtaining the COA and Special Airworthiness Certification for our pre-production prototype,” says Guy Kaplinsky, CEO/Cofounder. “The data we are harvesting from flight testing is enabling us to make progress towards our type certification. We already completed the initial phase and are progressing towards our next milestone, G1 status.”

The size of an SUV, the four-seater ASKA™ A5 is a drive & fly eVTOL that can travel by road and air. The vehicle is designed for the highest level of safety, a key factor that has enabled the company to make positive progress with the FAA toward type certification. Other key features include:

• Dual hybrid energy supply: ASKA is hybrid with batteries and a range extender engine that charges the batteries in-flight. Uses premium gasoline available from today’s gas stations
• Large Aerodynamic wings, optimized for safe landing with ability to glide
• Six independent motor systems for flight
• Sufficient reserve flight time to meet FAA safety requirement
• Ballistic parachute
• 4 seat capacity (1 pilot and 3 passengers)
• Capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) from helipads and Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) from runways
• Max flight range 250 miles
• Airspeed up to 150mph

“The airworthiness certification validates our efforts to develop a drive & fly eVTOL with an emphasis on safety,” explains Maki Kaplinsky, CoFounder/Chair & COO. “One of the significant advantages of a roadworthy eVTOL, like the ASKA™ A5, is that it does not require the modification or electrification of existing airports since it can maximize the use of today’s infrastructure, such as the many charging stations located around us. We are working with local airports in the Bay Area to test and confirm our concept of operations – they open the gate, ASKA™ A5 drives in as a car, drives/taxis to the helipad or runway, transforms into the flight mode and can take off.”

ASKA™ A5 makes the maximum use of existing infrastructure, such as parking, charging stations, airfields, helipads and runways, for a seamless integration into city and suburban landscapes. The vehicle fits in standard parking spaces, it can be charged at home and EV charging stations, and the range extender engine runs on premium gasoline purchased at existing automotive gas stations.

Pre-order reservations launched in 2021 and the company has already secured $50M in pre-orders.

Why it’s important: This announcement demonstrates that ASKA has been working closely with the FAA on type certification, which signifies the design is in compliance with applicable airworthiness, noise, fuel venting, and exhaust emissions standards. Further, G-1 basis is a critical milestone in the FAA cross-validation process, establishing airworthiness and environmental requirements necessary to achieve FAA Type Certification Validation.

Related:

• ASKA eVTOL to debut at CES 2023
• NFT Aska eVTOL Now Available for Pre-Order

Ampaire released a 20 page Whitepaper in late June which details the primary benefits of hybrid electric propulsion, named the Executive Guide 1.0. This guide focuses on the current technological readiness of hybrid electric propulsion systems that Ampaire’s aircraft feature and why the current landscape best supports hybrid electric propulsion solutions, at least until battery energy densities increase beyond what is currently available.

In fours primary sections, the document outlines the basics of hybrid electric vs. all electric propulsion, then details the basic system of hybrid electric propulsion. It examines hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) advancements and projections for renewable energy source integration into the greater aviation powertrain ecosystem in the future.

The Whitepaper also outlines the ways hybrid electric systems benefit the efficiency and capabilities of aircraft, and how Ampaire specifically distributes their energy generation from ICE and battery sources during a flight. Another unique component of the analysis is the trade study of hydrogen or SAF use in smaller airplanes. While Ampaire has adopted the hybrid approach, companies like ZeroAvia are beginning to work on larger scale hydrogen fuel cell adaptations for turbine motors. ZeroAvia currently uses hydrogen fuel cell technology to power its Bombardier Q400 turboprop which is undergoing flight testing in Moses Lake, Washington and has future plans to convert a Dornier 228 to run on hydrogen.

Why it’s important: Fully electric aircraft are in our aviation future, but current models are challenged by battery energy density limits and battery weights that remain unchanged during energy consumption. On the contrary, once jet fuel is burned it results in a total aircraft weight reduction, allowing for increased performance. Accordingly, many OEMs are focusing on hybrid propulsion systems that leverage the benefits of internal combustion engines and battery technology for certain phases of flight, a best of both worlds approach given the current technological landscape. Analysts project that full electrification of small to regional jet sized airplanes is possible within the next decades, however large wide-body aircraft are not likely to see electrification given the current landscape; sustainable aviation fuel will likely serve as a means to offset total carbon lifecycle emissions for larger, longer range aircraft.

Read the full Whitepaper on Ampaire’s website here.

Related:

• Ampaire Receives Order for 6 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft from Conecta, Subsidary of Azul Airlines
• Ampaire Wins NASA Award for Innovative Hybrid Powerplant System Research

Joby Aviation, an industry leader in upcoming eVTOL ride-sharing, has announced that it has officially received a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA to fly the first aircraft ever built on its production line in Marina, CA.

Joby Aviation’s first production aircraft (left), with room for one pilot plus four passengers

On June 28th, 2023, Joby Aviation announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Special Airworthiness Certification to fly the Joby’s first aircraft ever created by the company’s mass production line. Joby originally received airworthiness approval for a pre-production prototype in December 2020, shortly after coming out of a stealth mode period for several years.

The new Special Airworthiness Certification issued by the FAA will now allow Joby to begin flight-testing this production version of the aircraft, which will match in assembly the version that will be used by fare-paying passengers.

Via this Certification, which is the first ever given by the FAA for a production eVTOL, Joby expects to become the first eVTOL maker to deliver an aircraft to a customer. The first customer for the Joby aircraft, which will receive the first production aircraft off the line (featured above), will be Agility Prime. Agility Prime is a technology incubator branch of the U.S Air Force, and helped Joby through its various flight testing phases. The first production aircraft will be delivered in Agility Prime in 2024. The aircraft will be operated  as part of the Company’s Agility Prime contract with the U.S. Air Force, worth up to $131 million.

One of Joby Aviation’s prototype aircraft in forward flight

This announcement also comes as Joby Aviation continues to move down the certification pipeline with the FAA to bring its eVTOL aircraft to commercialization. In February 2023, Joby Announced it had completed the second stage of this process, where it proved it could meet the safety standards set in the first stage.

In December of 2020, when the company first released footage of its prototype in flight, Joby also acquired Uber Elevate, Uber’s initiative to launch aerial ridesharing under their brand. At the same time, Joby also announced a funding round of over $590 million, with a large contribution from Toyota. Since then, the company has raised its value to over $1B, and launched on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: JOBY) in August of 2021.

Said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, “Today’s achievement is the culmination of years of investment in our processes and technology and it marks a major step on our journey to scaled production. We’re proud to have launched production in our home state of California. I’m incredibly grateful to the Joby team for their commitment to ensuring Joby remains the clear leader in this new sector and to Toyota for sharing their knowledge and experience with us over many years. Their support has been indispensable in helping us reach this point.”

Why it’s important: With this announcement, Joby Aviation’s aircraft has become the first ever production version eVTOL to receive airworthiness certification from the FAA. This marks a major milestone for the company, as this certification is an essential part of the journey to allowing the aircraft to carry fare-paying passengers.

Related:

• Joby Completes Second Stage of Certification Process (February 2023)
• Joby Receives Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate From the FAA (May 2022)
• Delta and Joby to Partner for Seamless Home-to-Airport Transportation (October 2022)
• FAA Proposes Airworthiness Criteria for Joby eVTOL (November 2022)

Volocopter and Safran Electrical & Power announced on June 22nd at the 2023 Paris Air Show that they have signed an agreement signifying their intention to collaborate on developing a next generation powertrain for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. 

The agreement will see the two companies collaborate on the exploration of commercial and engineering partnerships, specifically focused on the entire electric powertrain, ranging from the electrical propulsion system (EPS), battery units, to power distribution system to wider engineering services.

Volocopter’s position on aerial mobility is commonly known among those in the aerial mobility industry: that eVTOLs are the next frontier of electric aviation. This emerging industry supplements existing public transportation networks in urban areas with sustainable, battery-powered aircraft offering a safe and quiet mode of transportation. The partners bring together decades of expertise in aircraft development which now is applied to the novel eVTOL and EPS space. 

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, said of the announced partnership: “Volocopter is pioneering Urban Air Mobility. With a feasible design and a clear ambition to start operations as soon as next summer in Paris, we would be proud to partner with them for their future development in this highly promising new branch of the aviation industry. Safran has always kept up with the times and pushed innovation to decarbonize aviation.”

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter, added: “The prospect of collaborating with Safran, a leader in powertrain development as part of our UAM-ecosystem is exciting on several levels. Optimizing battery density and improving EPS effectiveness is the biggest performance lever for lightweight aircraft like eVTOLs. And on a personal note, it’s a stellar example of French German industry collaboration to keep European technology innovation competitive on a global level.”

Why it’s important: Volocopter and Safran will be able to leverage one another’s resources with this recent announcement which should allow for more progress on advanced electric powertrains for future eVTOL configurations. Interestingly, this landmark agreement sees Volocopter potentially outsourcing a portion of their development efforts in the hopes that their investment in collaboration with Safran and their openness of sharing their eVTOL design traits will yield an even better product in the longer run.

Plana, a South Korean electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer, is making progress in the advanced air mobility (AAM) market with its innovative CP-01 hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft. With a planned full-scale prototype unveiling in 2025 and commercial operations targeted for 2028, Plana is actively focused on increasing brand awareness, improving communication with customers and partners, and progressing with certification processes.

Designed as a six-seat aircraft, the CP-01 is intended to offer a fast, efficient, and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Equipped with six tilt rotors and an aerodynamic exterior for maximum stability, the CP-01 can fly up to 500 kilometers and cruise at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The airframe of the aircraft utilizes composite materials. Plana envisions the HeVTOL being utilized for various purposes, including long-range air taxis and air ambulances. Its hybrid powertrain combines electric propulsion through a combination of turbine generators powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electric motors, and batteries.

In a recent development, Plana signed an agreement with SkyTaxi, a spinoff company of Japan’s Daiho Taxi Group, outlining the supply of ten CP-01 aircraft to SkyTaxi by 2030, with an additional forty units to be provided by 2040. The collaboration focuses on meeting the growing demand for efficient urban transportation solutions and highlights the potential of Plana’s eVTOL technology.

To facilitate the certification process and expand market presence, Plana is establishing locations in the United States, including Silicone Valley and Irvine, Texas. These facilities will cater to the requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and allow Plana to engage with key stakeholders in the AAM industry.

During Vice Mayor Tammy Kim’s visit to Plana’s Research and Development (R&D) Center in Icheon, South Korea, discussions were held regarding the opening of Plana’s new office in Irvine, California. Plana’s CEO, Braden J. Kim, emphasized the collaborative opportunities in policy, business development, and infrastructure with Irvine, citing the presence of prominent players like Parker Aerospace, Unical Aviation, OverAir, and Supernal in the aerospace and AAM landscape. The partnership between Plana and the city of Irvine holds promise for the future of urban air mobility.

Through technological advancements and strategic partnerships, Plana is poised to bring about a transformation in the aerial mobility sector. The CP-01 HeVTOL aircraft presents an innovative solution for urban transportation challenges, offering a sustainable, efficient, and advanced mode of travel. As Plana advances towards its goals, it aims to shape the future of the industry and usher in a new era of urban air mobility.

Why it’s important: The emergence of Plana’s CP-01 HeVTOL aircraft holds significant importance for the aerial mobility industry. This innovative aircraft represents a major step forward in the pursuit of efficient, eco-friendly, and advanced urban transportation solutions. With its hybrid-electric powertrain, impressive flying range, and cruise speed, the CP-01 showcases the potential of eVTOL technology to revolutionize the way people commute within cities and access critical services such as medical transportation. By offering a viable alternative to traditional modes of transportation, Plana’s CP-01 paves the way for reduced congestion, lower emissions, and enhanced mobility options. This development not only pushes the boundaries of technological innovation but also opens up new possibilities for urban air mobility, transforming the way we envision transportation in the future.

AutoFlight, an Advanced Air Mobility aircraft developer, and Groupe ADP, a world leader in airport operations, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to experimentally operate the “Prosperity I” electric take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) aircraft from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Under the MoU, AutoFlight will conduct experimental piloted flights from the Pontoise Vertiport, Europe’s most advanced airfield for sustainable air mobility. Pontoise Vertiport offers a comprehensive infrastructure encompassing dedicated take-off and landing areas, a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, a fully equipped maintenance hangar, and advanced control areas. As Groupe ADP is spearheading the development of eVTOL infrastructure in the Paris Region with five additional vertiports in the making (Paris heliport in Issy-les-Moulineaux, Paris Austerlitz, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Le Bourget, Saint-Cyr l’Ecole), Pontoise offers the optimal setting to experiment AutoFlight’s cutting-edge eVTOL technology.

AutoFlight’s Prosperity I fixed-wing aircraft represents a remarkable leap forward in terms of efficiency, as demonstrated by its record-breaking longest flight for an eVTOL aircraft in March 2023. AutoFlight is one of only a few eVTOL OEMs to have demonstrated the ‘transition phase’ from vertical to horizontal flight, which is heavily reliant on complex flight control systems. AutoFlight touts that the advanced engineering of the aircraft allows for significant reductions in trip length while maximizing asset utilization in urban environments, ushering in a new era of sustainable logistics and passenger transportation.

Mark Henning, Managing Director of AutoFlight Europe, said: “Through conducting experimental piloted flights from the Pontoise Vertiport, a best-in-class infrastructure operated by Groupe ADP, we aim to showcase the immense potential of Advanced Air Mobility. Our 250km-range eVTOLs will operate in real-world conditions, highlighting their capabilities in urban environments and their invaluable contribution to sustainable logistics and mobility. The 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a global celebration and we would take pride in AutoFlight’s technology being part of it. We are grateful to Groupe ADP for their collaboration. “

Groupe ADP also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are delighted to be working with AutoFlight to enable experimental flights of their eVTOLs during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games” affirmed Edward Arkwright, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP. “Pontoise Vertiport, equipped with exceptional infrastructure and facilities, serves as an optimal platform to support electric, innovative aircraft. This collaboration resonates with our commitment to delivering sustainable and efficient aircraft infrastructure as we continue to pave the way for the future of aviation.”

This collaboration is part of a broader framework of air mobility experiments, that Groupe ADP gathered since 2020 in a unique ecosystem. It also contributes to the efforts of the Paris Region to position itself at the forefront of urban mobility. 

Why it’s important: As the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games are set to serve as a global stage for innovation and progress, AutoFlight intends to showcase the exceptional capabilities of its world-record holding 250km-range Lift & Cruise eVTOL, while Groupe ADP reinforces its commitment to fostering innovative air mobility. Sealed on Tuesday, June 20, by Tian Yu, CEO of AutoFlight, and Edward Arkwright, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP, this collaboration aims to highlight AutoFlight’s potential in scaling up sustainable urban logistics and passenger transportation under real-world conditions.

Related: AUTOFLIGHT REVEALS INTERIOR DESIGN OF WORLD-RECORD HOLDING PROSPERITY I EVTOL

SkyDrive has added to its announcements from the 2023 Paris Air Show, providing more detail on its partnership with Suzuki, announced last year.

Under the basic agreement, SkyDrive will begin manufacture of its eVTOL aircraft utilizing a Suzuki production facility in the Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. The two companies aim to start building the eVTOL no later than spring of 2024. Suzuki will also cooperate with SkyDrive in securing human resources and making other preparations for the start of manufacturing. More specific terms and conditions will be agreed upon through ongoing discussions.

“We are excited to cooperate with SkyDrive as we ambitiously work towards creating valuable products that contribute to the realization of a world where people use the sky for their daily transportations,” said Toshihiro Suzuki, Suzuki Motor Corporation President.

Tomohiro Fukuzawa, SkyDrive Inc. CEO added, “At Suzuki, all manufacturing activities are based on a concept, ‘Smaller, Fewer, Lighter, Shorter, and Neater’ and SkyDrive is developing lightweight air mobilities.  Suzuki and SkyDrive have been collaborating since March 2022 and we are very excited that SkyDrive will utilize the production facility of Suzuki to build our eVTOL ‘SKYDRIVE.’ In our pursuit to consistently manufacture safe and high-quality aircraft for the world, we are grateful for the valuable know-how we will learn from Suzuki, a global leader in automobile mass production. Suzuki and SkyDrive will work closely towards the shared goal.”

Why it matters: Originally announced in 2022, the SkyDrive and Suzuki partnership mirrors that of many other eVTOL/automotive partnerships in the industry. By leveraging Suzuki’s decades of expertise in automotive design and manufacturing, SkyDrive can more rapidly scale manufacturing of its eVTOL platform. Expect more updates on progress of the production of SkyDrive as the two work towards their goal of a 2024 start date.

Related:
SkyDrive and Suzuki Announce Collaboration on Aerial Vehicle Development

SkyDrive Selects Thales for eVTOL Flight Control System

SkyDrive announced on June 21st that as part of continuing their mission of “taking the lead in the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” they’ve selected to partner with Thales for the necessary flight control systems on the SkyDrive eVTOL.

Flight control systems are one of the key elements of eVTOL aircraft that will function in new and novel ways to accommodate the combination of accelerated forward flight and hover flight. The fly-by-wire system is a critical element of flight safety, responsible for calculating and adjusting the position of the aircraft’s control surfaces and managing engine thrust.

Thales pioneered Fly-by-wire solutions in the 1980s with the first installation on Airbus A310. Since then, more than 12,000 aircraft have been equipped with Thales solutions. Today, Thales FlytRise materializes a new generation of flight controls, offering SkyDrive the combined benefits of proven experience and adaptation to eVTOL requirements, in particular lightness, compactness, and readiness for autonomous operations.

SkyDrive promotes its eVTOL as an aircraft that supports the democratization of the benefits of aviation, where everyone has access to eVTOL as their daily transportation. SkyDrive has been selected to participate in Advanced Air Mobility “Smart Mobility Expo” Project at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and the company aims to fly its SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft at the Expo. Designed to be flown with one pilot and two passengers on board for intra-city flights, the SkyDrive requires flight control solutions securing safe flights above populated areas.

Arnaud Coville, SkyDrive Inc’s. Chief Development Officer, states: “We are very pleased to have Thales as our partner in the field of flight control for our eVTOL aircraft the ‘SKYDRIVE’. Thales’s flight controls have long been trusted in the aviation industry. As an eVTOL manufacturer, SkyDrive values safety above all, and we believe that partnering with Thales in flight control, which is a key safety-related technology, will enable us to achieve the safety objectives of our aircraft.”

Why it’s important: SkyDrive’s partnership with Thales will leverage the expertise of an established flight control system developer and help to accelerate SkyDrive’s work on their path to certification of their SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft. It’s unknown what specific architecture Thales will select for the SkyDrive eVTOL at this time; especially with requirements for safety and redundancy during autonomy, requirements for robust failsafe modes and intelligent flight control hardware and software design will be paramount.

Related:

• Japanese Engineering Company Taiho Pre-Orders SkyDrive’s SD-05 eVTOL
• SkyDrive Begins Accepting Private Owner-Operator eVTOL Orders

President of Jaunt Air Mobility’s Canada division Eric Côté has been added to the board of Aéro Montréal, an organization dedicated to positioning Quebec as a forerunner in the advanced aerial mobility industry.

The mission of Aéro Montréal is to facilitate and provide all expertise and support that may be needed as companies in Montréal begin to develop aerial mobility vehicles and services. Through collaborating with government, infrastructure, and private stakeholders, Aéro Montréal’s board will provide assistance with research & collaborative innovation, investment & financing services, design, prototyping, testing, certification, manufacturing, sales, infrastructure & operation, and more.

Jaunt Air Mobility, which was originally creating vehicles for an Uber Elevate partnership, is now bringing to market an advanced electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, which uniquely features a single lift rotor for auto-rotation and to further stabilize flight and reduce noise emissions. Learn more about the Jaunt Journey aircraft here.

Eric Côté has been president of Jaunt Canada for several years, and now looks forward to additionally serving on the Aéro board to make eVTOL a reality in Quebec. Said Côté: “It is an honour to join Aéro Montréal’s board and contribute to bringing AAM to Quebec and the world. At Jaunt, we have committed to designing, building, and certifying the Jaunt Journey in Canada due to the support of organizations like Aéro Montreal, the government, and access to a strong aviation community.”

Said Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal: “We have assembled an incredible pool of expertise to realize our vision of building Quebec’s reputation as a centre of excellence in AAM (Advanced Aerial Mobility). Eric’s global business experience and the company’s mission to develop an eVTOL here make him a very valuable asset.”

In-air rendering of the Jaunt Journey aircraft

Notably, Jaunt has also made entries into to other international markets to commercialize its aircraft and services. So far, it has begun creating partnerships in Italy, Mexico, India, South Korea, South America, and more.

Why it’s important: By partnering with aerial mobility leaders in Quebec, Jaunt can not only offer valuable insight and research to help the city develop this new industry, but also has well-positioned their aircraft to be one of the first to begin operating in the area. By serving on the Aéro Montréal board, Côté can help Quebec to develop aerial mobility support and infrastructure, helping the city to prepare for eVTOL services by Jaunt as well as other new companies.

Source // Jaunt Air Mobility

Related:

• Redwings to Launch eVTOL Air-Taxi Services in Mexico City with Jaunt Air Mobility’s Journey Aircraft
• BLADE Air Mobility signs MoU with Jaunt for Operations in India
• Jaunt and MintAir partner to launch aerial mobility service in South Korea
• Jaunt Air Mobility and Varon Vehicles Partner for Aerial Mobility in Latin America
• L&T Technology Services is Awarded $100 million to Manufacture Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft

H2FLY, a leader in the development of hydrogen-electric aircraft powertrain systems, has announced the next generation of its proprietary fuel cell system H175 – a high-performance and modular power unit designed to be used in commercial aircraft applications.

The H175 program will provide a series of fuel cell systems that can be combined and upscaled to power hydrogen-electric aircraft in the megawatt-class range, which complies with aircraft that comprise of 20 to 80 seats. H2FLY is responsible for the development, integration, and testing of the overall fuel cell systems hardware and software.

Discussing the announcement of H175, Josef Kallo, CEO and co-founder of H2FLY said: “With H175 we introduce a completely new generation of aviation-grade fuel cell systems, pushing forward the state of the art in the industry. By developing this new system, but also working to solve the challenges of using liquid hydrogen with fuel cells in the HEAVEN project, H2FLY is bringing together all crucial elements to realize truly sustainable, commercial air travel.”

H2FLY is planning to test the first generation of its H175 system in aircraft flight demonstrations late this year. In addition, as part of the German government’s “328 H2-FC” project, the company intends to integrate H175 fuel cell systems into a Dornier 328 demonstrator aircraft.

Related: H2FLY passes first integrated liquid hydrogen tank filling tests

Funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), “328 H2-FC” is a joint project with other partners aiming to develop a hydrogen-electric fuel cell system in the megawatt range and test it in flight demonstrations.

Over the past decade, H2FLY has led the way in hydrogen-electric powertrain systems for aircraft, building and testing six generations of powertrains to date. Last year, the company’s testbed aircraft HY4 set what is believed to be a world record for hydrogen-electric passenger aircraft flying at an altitude of 7,230 ft. Furthermore, the company leads the European initiative HEAVEN – a project to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid, cryogenic hydrogen with fuel cells in aircraft.

Why it’s important: H175 systems will be capable of providing their full power range in flight altitudes of up to 27,000 ft, marking an important step on the path from lower altitude viability flight demonstrations to real-world commercial aircraft applications. Further, this scaling of H2FLY’s technology signals an increased feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell systems in larger platforms with up to 80-passenger capacities.

Electra Aero has unveiled the test vehicle for its hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, the first of its kind, marking a significant milestone in Electra’s mission to help decarbonize aviation and revolutionize urban and regional transportation. The bright yellow aircraft is named the Electra Model EL-2 “Goldfinch” in celebration of the beloved, nimble American Goldfinch bird indigenous to North America.

Electra’s eSTOL technology demonstrator (TD) is the world’s first blown lift aircraft using distributed electric propulsion, which enables the airplane to take off and land in very short spaces. Electra’s proprietary blown lift technology uses eight motors to provide additional wing lift, and hybrid-electric power that provides internal recharging capabilities for aircraft batteries, eliminating the need for new ground infrastructure.

The two-seat piloted TD aircraft showcases the Electra eSTOL technology at full scale and will be flown this summer in an extensive flight test program to track performance and inform the design of Electra’s 9-passenger production aircraft. The company conducted a fully integrated test of its proprietary hybrid-electric propulsion system last year.

“In the three years since we founded Electra, we’ve designed our eSTOL aircraft, validated our blown lift technology with a sub-scale demonstrator, and run a fully integrated test of our 150-kilowatt hybrid-electric generator at full scale,’’ said John S. Langford, Founder and CEO of Electra.aero. “Now we’re ready to test the entire system with this technology demonstrator aircraft. We can’t wait to fly this plane and show the world what our eSTOL aircraft can do.”

Electra’s future eSTOL production aircraft plans to deliver the operational flexibility of a helicopter with the safety and economics of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. Electra plans to fly a prototype of the 9-passenger production aircraft in 2025, with certification and entry into service in 2028 under FAA Part 23 regulation. Electra has designed the eSTOL aircraft so that hydrogen or battery-electric propulsion systems can be used in the future when those technologies are commercially viable.

“Electra was founded to build electric aircraft that make sense,” added JP Stewart, Electra Vice President and General Manager. “We are meeting market demand for cleaner, cost-effective aircraft that can fly people and cargo closer to where they want to go, and this technology demonstrator aircraft will prove that our eSTOL technology makes that possible.”

Electra currently holds letters of intent from more than 30 customers for over 1200 of its 9-passenger production eSTOL aircraft, totaling more than $4 billion in market demand. The company recently won a $30 million U.S. Air Force funding award as part of a larger $85 million funding effort. The aircraft was rolled out at Electra’s development facility at the Manassas, Virginia Regional Airport in a ceremony that included guests from the aviation industry, government, the investor community, and Electra customers.

Why it’s important: This announcement from Electra marks a significant milestone in the company’s mission to help decarbonize aviation and revolutionize urban and regional transportation. Further, it sends a signal to Electra’s customers that the program is progressing toward its planned delivery milestones and thereby maintains customer confidence.