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Joby Aviation, major maker of an all-electric, passenger-carrying eVTOL has announced that it has begun final assembly of its first ‘company-conforming’ aircraft. This means this particular prototype was built in accordance with the manufacturing processes and quality management standards that will be used to mass-produce their eVTOL aircraft.

This latest announcement from Joby marks a significant step forward to the commercialization of Joby’s eVTOL, as well as a key step on the journey to achieve Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification required to begin passenger-carrying operations.

Having built the major aerostructures of the aircraft – the wing, tail, and fuselage – Joby is now beginning the process of fusing the structures together and installing the wiring, electronics, actuation, and propulsion systems on this pilot production aircraft. Joby expects the aircraft to begin flight testing of the aircraft in the first half of 2023.

“Beginning final assembly of our first company-conforming aircraft is a critical achievement for Joby and a landmark for the wider eVTOL industry,” said Didier Papadopoulos, Head of Aircraft OEM at Joby.

Notably, the construction of this aircraft is in accordance with Joby’s signature Quality Management System, which includes tracking and documentation of every part on the aircraft, configuration management of engineering drawings, environmental conditions during fabrication, and actions taken by manufacturing technicians. The Quality System is reviewed regularly by the FAA as part of the company’s preparation to receive a production certificate following the type certification of the aircraft.

Above: A prototype of Joby’s eVTOL in flight

Why it’s important: This aircraft from Joby is the first of its eVTOLs to be made with the same processes that will be used to mass-produce the aircraft. This is a major milestone for the company, as it sets the company up to begin producing their aircraft at scale for commercialization as soon as all necessary certifications are earned. Notably, Joby is one of the first eVTOL developers ever to reach this stage.

Source // Joby Aviation

Innovaero has just announced its strategic partnership with BAE Systems Australia for the design, development and launch of the STRIX Uncrewed VTOL Aerial System at Avalon 2023. This is the first collaborative venture for both companies in the Australian marketplace on emerging UAS capabilities for the defense sector.

STRIX is a significant Australian innovation, with Innovaero and BAE Systems Australia combining to design an entirely new concept.

STRIX is a hybrid-propulsion tandem wing, with multi-domain and multi-role UAS capability. The STRIX uncrewed air system (UAS), of which a prototype is already in development, could be used for a variety of missions including air to ground strike against hostile targets and persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It could also act as a ‘loyal wingman’ for military helicopters.

Perth-based Innovaero is a 100% Australian-owned aeronautical product design, certification, and manufacturing company, with a track record of delivering successful outcomes for clients in Australia. Its team of world-class aeronautical specialists is globally recognised for its innovation, including its world leading aerial camera array solutions.

Innovaero Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Grosser said the design and development of STRIX demonstrated the company’s capabilities for the defense sector. “To witness the capability STRIX will provide to Defence, through partnering with BAE Systems Australia, is very exciting. STRIX has the potential payload capacity, range, speed, and advanced autonomy to provide real differential over current market offerings.” Mr Grosser said.

BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive Officer Ben Hudson paid tribute to the team at Innovaero for the work delivered to date on the STRIX model and prototype. “Innovaero is an amazing team of passionate Australians specialising in novel airborne systems,” Mr Hudson said. “STRIX is a real testament to the culture that Mike has developed at Innovaero.”

Why it’s important: STRIX is an entirely new UAS concept and a significant Australian innovation, the product of close collaboration between local aerospace SME Innovaero and Australia’s largest defense prime, BAE Systems Australia. The UAS has emerged as a critical defense capability of the future. STRIX is a stride forward into the next generation of autonomous hybrid-propulsion VTOL multi-role UAS delivering sustainable superiority on the in battlefield, an opening opportunities for these vehicles in logistics transportation.

Source // Innovaero Press Release

Air taxi infrastructure company Skyportz and property developer Pelligra announced today a partnership to explore jointly developing vertiport networks to attract air taxi and drone delivery services to Australia. Speaking at the Avalon Airshow, Skyportz CEO Clem Newton-Brown said this partnership was a significant step forward for this emerging industry in Australia.

“We have strong policy support from the Federal Government and our air regulator, CASA to develop Advanced Air Mobility in Australia. The front runner electric air taxis will be  certified to operate in the next couple of years. We now need the vertiport sites and if  Australia can establish a launch vertiport network we will be in a position to attract the first  of these clean, green, quiet aircraft to Australian skies”. 

The Agreement builds on a previous partnership between Skyportz and other property owners such as Secure Parking which has hundreds of parking sites at urban hubs.

Pelligra is a third generation family business with an extensive portfolio of over 1200 projects in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and overseas. 

The next step in the partnership is to focus their resources on a region or city that actively wants to be a world leader in Advanced Air Mobility. Nowhere in the world has a vertiport network yet been established, but several European and American cities are well advanced in their planning. 

USA-based consultancy Nexa Capital has assessed the potential return on five use cases in cities such as Melbourne to be in excess of $5 billion in the first 20 years of operations, and the partnership between Skyportz and Pelligra aims to bridge that gap. 

“The key to this industry is breaking the nexus between aviation and existing airports. We need to develop a network of new vertiport sites if the industry is to reach its potential and Skyportz is readying the landscape to partner with infrastructure partners such as Pelligra”,  said Newton-Brown. 

Why it’s important: The partnership between Pelligra and Skyportz will afford each member more resources to continue exploration of development sites for vertiports in Australia and reflects an increasing focus of late on vertiport infrastructure. While aerial mobility aircraft remain a large portion of the focus for AAM developments, more and more attention is also being directed toward wide-scale development of vertiport and supporting infrastructure for AAM operations.

Drone automation technology firm VOTIX and Iris automation announced last week that they’re entering a partnership to enable safe BVLOS flights through the integration of Iris Automation’s Casia G ground-based detect and alert system into the VOTIX cloud-based drone operating system.

This integration will make remote operations a reality for enterprises that need effective and flexible drone BVLOS deployments. Applications could include routine automated inspections of critical infrastructure or rapid mobilization seen in Drone as First Responder programs.

This hardware-software solution will feed data from the Casia G system into the VOTIX platform to provide a complete picture of the operational airspace in real-time. A key requirement to obtaining BVLOS regulatory approvals is the ability to detect non-cooperative aircraft at distance. The Casia G system fulfills this by monitoring the airspace and providing precise location and classification data of intruder aircraft, enabling automated conflict resolution via the VOTIX platform. This brings a new level of safety and mission capability to customers looking to expand their operations at scale.

The VOTIX and Iris Automation systems allow for integration applications that might eventually be used for eVTOL operations, but that also differ in their management of operational airspace classification being separated from airspace that might be used for mixed purpose in aerial mobility operations.

Casia G creates a stationary perimeter of sanitized, monitored airspace without the need to add additional sensors or payload to the drone. Using patented computer vision technology, Casia G alerts the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) if a risk of collision is present and allows the drone to maneuver to safe zones. This eliminates the need for the pilot to maintain visual contact with the drone or to have Visual Observers (VOs) in place to monitor the skies.

Why it’s important: The partnership between VOTIX and Iris will amplify the ability of drone applications in beyond visual line of sight operations and further streamline the processes of increasing drones in operations in similar areas. There are some future integration challenges required for aerial mobility applications but the data and learnings from this initial experience will help to inform future scaling of drone operations and potentially and eventually inform aerial mobility airspace management and deconfliction.

Australian based AMSL Aero announced in a press release this week that it has completed first flight of its Vertiia eVTOL aircraft.

The Vertiia completed its tethered hover by remote control near Wellington in the Central West of the state in accordance with Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations.

The maiden test flight is a significant milestone for the AMSL Aero, which expects its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to ultimately be competitive with a helicopter of equivalent performance and payload.

The company says the zero emissions Vertiia can carry four passengers and a pilot, with a cruising speed of 300kmph and a range of 1,000 kilometres, three times the range of any eVTOL craft anywhere in the world.

AMSL is headquartered in Sydney and has planned to manufacture Vertii across NSW and the greater Sydney area with suppliers in Victoria and South Australia.

“The Vertiia prototype flew better than we expected. It was remarkably smooth and a delight to fly,” Andrew Moore, CEO of AMSL Aero, said.

Following on the success of first flight, Vertiia will continue to undergo developmental testing followed by a series of tests to begin CASA certification. The company also plans to debut the prototype at the Avalon International Airshow in Victoria later next month.

Co-founder Siobhan Lyndon, a tech industry veteran who spent more than a decade at Google at various operations around the world, said Vertiia would enable greater access to medical services for vulnerable remote, rural and regional communities, offering new models of care through rapid and low-cost connectivity.

“Vertiia is not only safe and quiet, but it was also developed for the harsh long-distance conditions in Australia. If it can work in Australia, it can work anywhere,” she said.

Why it matters: One of the few Australian-based eVTOL makers, AMSL Aero has been relatively quiet since it announced its full scale prototype, Vertiia, in 2020. A successful first flight allows ASML to continue flight tests and move towards commercialization of the eVTOL. ASML Aero hopes to begin deliveries as early as 2026 and would be one of the first to achieve CASA certification.

Leo Flight, developer of a personal eVTOL that seeks to make aerial mobility even more accessible, has announced a partnership with aerospace manufacturer Eagle Technologies. Eagle is highly experienced in the development, testing, and manufacturing of helicopter components and more.

Above: Leo’s ‘Coupe’ eVTOL aircraft design

The new strategic alliance between the two companies will seek advance electric vertical aircraft, with the mission to “revolutionize the future of transportation”. Through the partnership, Eagle will work with Leo to help develop it’s ‘Coupe’ eVTOL aircraft, and bring it to market.

Leo’s ‘Coupe’ eVTOL is designed to fit in a standard SUV parking space and take off from a driveway-sized launch pad. The aircraft envisioned will carry two passengers, plus a pilot, with additional room for baggage, and will be able to travel for a range of 250 miles.

Eagle Technologies has been creating and supplying parts for helicopters since as early as 2001. Notably, Eagle is currently the supplier of the Sikorsky S-76-D Inlet Door and Engine Air Inlet system, after successfully prototyping and testing these parts to achieve FAA-certification.

The Sikorsky S-76D, which uses parts designed and manufactured by Eagle Technologies

Said Carlos Salaff, Co-Founder of LEO Flight Corporation.”This partnership will have far-reaching implications for the way people move around in the world. Eagle Technologies’ expertise in aerospace engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing will play a key role in bringing the LEO Coupe to market.”

Said Bruce Bailey, President and CEO, Eagle Technologies, “We are proud to be partnering with LEO Flight Corporation on this exciting project. We are confident that our partnership will have a lasting impact on the future of flight.”

Why it’s important: Leo’s partnership with Eagle Technologies adds even greater credibility to the vehicle’s especially unique design. With the backing of Eagle’s expertise in aerospace, Leo can begin concretely translating its design into a production-ready aircraft.

Related:

• Leo Aircraft’s Clustered Electric Jet Propulsion Takes Off with Manned Flight (November 2022)

Source // Leo Flight, Eagle Technologies

Skyports Infrastructure, a new developer of eVTOL vertiport infrastructure, has achieved approval for its vertiport design by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai at the World Government Summit 2023.

The vision for Dubai’s future air mobility infrastructure network was jointly presented by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Skyports Infrastructure, and Joby Aviation at a closed presentation ahead of the start of the World Government Summit.

The air mobility expo demonstrated the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure’s planned roadmap for developing a vertiport network in Dubai for launch by 2026; including a concept for how future vertiport design may look and how it will integrate with existing transportation, including the RTA’s Dubai Metro network and Dubai International Airport.

Four vertiport sites located near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina, which are currently being considered by Skyports Infrastructure and RTA, were presented to a senior delegation which included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These initial locations will connect four of Dubai’s most popular – and populous – areas, providing high-speed, zero-emissions air connectivity.

An architectural model of Skyports’ vertiport near Dubai International Airport was presented to the special delegation by RTA Chairman, His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer. Pioneer of electric vertical take- off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Joby Aviation, which last week became the first eVTOL aircraft manufacturer to complete the second stage in the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) aircraft type certification process, joined RTA and Skyports Infrastructure at World Government Summit to promote the opportunities of aerial mobility in Dubai.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of The Public Transport Agency at RTA, said, “The RTA’s plan for aerial taxis is in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips in Dubai driverless by 2030. The project aims to roll out a new mobility service driven by pioneering technology to ease the mobility of individuals across urban areas in a safe, smooth, and sustainable manner integrated with the public transport network in Dubai. The service is set to be operational by 2026.”

Why it’s important: Skyports’ design approval in Dubai marks another external approval for the company’s growth efforts and growing stake in early relationships with one of a few initial eVTOL operations sites that seek to quickly adapt and integrate aerial mobility technology into their transportation ecosystems.

Siemens, the global technology company, and Skyway, a company with extensive expertise in airspace mission planning, management, and unmanned aircraft operations, are joining forces to develop Vertiport infrastructure for vertical take-off and landing electric aircraft (eVTOL). This partnership aims to determine the electrical and digital infrastructure required to operate such vertiports.

Siemens’ mockup of a fully functioning Vertiport

Siemens and Skyway will work together to study the energy requirements of Vertiports and develop sustainable power supply solutions, standardized charging procedures, and a higher-level system to support flight operations. Siemens believes that innovation in Vertiport infrastructure is crucial for the future scalability of electric vertical take-off operations.

Both companies will contribute their strengths to drive the development of Vertiports, including research, development, planning, and participation in construction and operation. The first priority of this partnership will be to design and develop an end-to-end eVTOL charging process by evaluating charging, energy, and software requirements to ensure reliable and efficient operations for all eVTOL aircraft.

According to John Kasuda, Head of Airports at Siemens Smart Infrastructure North America, “It is exciting for Siemens to contribute to the evolution of the Urban Air Mobility Industry. The development and efficient operations of vertiports will require innovative solutions to meet the expected demands of fast aircraft turnaround times and a network of varying landing facilities.”

Clifford Cruz, CEO of Skyway, added, “Sustainable energy solutions will be the foundation and the necessity for adoption of Urban Air Mobility with the electrification of eVTOL aircraft. Combining our companies’ resources and industry foresight can influence vertiport construction efforts and general UAM solutions on an industry-wide scale while setting a new precedent for modern transportation.”

Siemens and Skyway’s partnership is an important step forward in the development of Vertiport infrastructure overall, which will be essential to the growth of urban air mobility.

A Vertiport concept by new Vertiport developer Ferrovial

Why it’s important: The development of take-off and landing sites for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, such as air taxis and drones, is critical to the growth and success of the aerial mobility industry. Vertiports will play a key role in enabling point-to-point travel, reducing congestion on the ground, and providing an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

The partnership between Siemens and Skyway to develop Vertiport infrastructure is significant because it brings together the expertise of two major companies with highly successful track records in different areas, which will greatly increase drive innovation and potential for success in the development of Vertiports. Siemens brings extensive infrastructure expertise in electrification, electric vehicle charging, and facility operations, while Skyway has expertise in airspace mission planning and management, air traffic control, and unmanned aircraft operations.

This collaboration will enable Siemens and Skyway to study the energy requirements of Vertiports, develop sustainable power supply solutions, standardize charging procedures, and design higher-level systems to support flight operations. By doing so, the two companies can influence vertiport construction efforts and general Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solutions on an industry-wide scale while setting a new precedent for modern transportation.

Source // Electrive, Ferrovia

EHang has reached another milestone in development of its EH216 eVTOL announcing this week they have completed a fully autonomous flight with passengers on board.

The flight was conducted along Tanoura Beach in Oita, Japan under the approval of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan. Onboard were two passengers and no pilot as the EH216 completed a short, autonomous flight profile.

Sato Kiichiro, Mayor of Oita, Oita Prefecture, Japan, attended the event and delivered a speech saying, “Last July, EH216 completed its Japan’s first point-to-point trial flight in Oita, receiving overwhelming responses. Today, EH216 takes on the challenge of passenger-carrying flight here, and I am very pleased to witness this moment. I hope that today’s passenger-carrying flight test will accelerate autonomous aerial vehicles to take a further step toward practical use cases, so that this industry full of opportunities could be in full swing.”

Xin Fang, Chief Operating Officer of EHang, stated, “Over the past two years, EH216 has achieved one milestone after another in Japan with several rounds of demo and trial flights. This year brought passengers the possibility of riding in the air with this cutting-edge product and technology. All these milestones are inextricably linked to the support and trust of MLIT of Japan, local government departments, and our partners. EHang has also demonstrated the reliability of our AAV products. We will continue working with our partners to promote safe, autonomous, and eco-friendly UAM solutions in Japan so as to benefit more people worldwide with our passenger-grade AAVs.”

Why it matters: EHang has a strong relationship with Japan’s aviation regulatory agency and other industry groups in the area. Last year, the company completed several demonstration flights in the region and the continues to parter with stakeholders in Japan on highlighting the business case and opportunities for the Japanese UAM industry.

Universal Hydrogen Co. announced last week that it was granted an experimental special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to proceed with the first flight of its hydrogen-powered regional aircraft. The company also released video footage of successful first taxi tests of the aircraft, designed to evaluate ground handling qualities and the performance of the fuel-cell electric powertrain at low power settings and airspeeds.

The Dash 8-300 flying testbed has a megawatt-class hydrogen fuel cell powertrain installed in one of its nacelles. The powertrain is in a configuration that closely resembles the company’s first product—a conversion kit for ATR 72-600 regional airliners—which is expected to be certified and in commercial passenger service starting in 2025.

Universal Hydrogen’s powertrain does not utilize a hybrid battery architecture, with all of the power transmitted directly from the fuel cells to the electric motor, significantly decreasing weight and lifecycle cost.

The FAA approval clears the way for the first flight of the Dash 8-300 flying testbed which will take place at Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Washington. Once complete with its first flight, the aircraft will be the largest hydrogen fuel cell-powered airplane to take to the skies, and second as a hydrogen-powered aircraft only to the Soviet flight test in 1988 of a Tupolev Tu-155 airliner with one of its jet engines converted to burn hydrogen.

“We are simultaneously providing a pragmatic, near-term solution for hydrogen infrastructure and delivery, as well as for converting existing passenger aircraft to use this lightweight, safe, and true-zero-emissions fuel,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “Today’s milestones are essential, important steps to putting the industry on a trajectory to meet Paris Agreement obligations. The only alternative is curtailing aviation traffic growth to curb emissions.”

Why it’s important: Universal Hydrogen’s DHC 8-300 testing represents the opportunity for a leap forward in hydrogen fuel cell powered aircraft research and development, and carries the companies’ offerings a step further beyond their initial convertible ATR hydrogen packages. While hydrogen storage and hydrogen powertrains are still relatively new topics in aerospace, the engineering acumen to successfully deploy these types of systems is an important development focus and its scope continues to grow.

Joby this week announced it has completed the second of five stages required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify its eVTOL aircraft for commercial passenger use.

In the second stage of the type certification process, a company identifies the ways in which it will demonstrate it has met the regulatory intent of the safety rules (“Means of Compliance”) that were defined during the first stage of the process (“Certification Basis”).

Joby in a press release this week claimed it is the first eVTOL company to reach this milestone, having also been the first eVTOL company to complete stage one and have its Certification Basis published in the Federal Register.

“Certification is an integral part of everything that an aerospace company does and with the achievement of this critical milestone, we’re now able to confidently focus our efforts on closing the remaining certification plans and completing the testing required to certify our aircraft,” said Didier Papadopoulos, Head of Aircraft OEM at Joby.

“We’re grateful for the FAA’s dedication to the safe introduction of eVTOL technology and their commitment to supporting continued US leadership in this sector,” he added.

Joby has also already made substantial progress in the third stage of the certification process (“Certification Plans”), with four area-specific certification plans (ASCPs) submitted to the FAA as of November and the company’s first equipment-level qualification test plan submitted to the FAA, enabling for-credit qualification testing to proceed. Progress also continues in stage four (“Testing and Analysis”) and stage five (“Show and Verify”).

It is typical for a small portion of the Means of Compliance to remain open to allow for further collaboration on minor design changes and improvements that may occur later in the certification process. With 94% of our Means of Compliance now accepted by the FAA, Joby considers the second stage essentially complete.

Why it matters: Achieving this goal moves Joby one step closer to its target of launching commercial passenger service by 2025. With the certification basis and means of compliance under its belt, Joby is well positioned to demonstrate airworthiness of its eVTOL aircraft ahead of others in the aerial mobility space. This advantage allows Joby the unique opportunity to be one of the first to commercialize its eVTOL aircraft upon certification.

Ampaire, a company developing a fleet of hybrid-electric propulsion aircraft, has received an order from Azul’s Conecta regional airline in South Brazil. Conecta currently serves over 84 destinations in the country.

Ampaire’s current line of aircraft includes converted Cessna Grand Caravans, which it retrofits with hybrid-electric propulsion powertrains to create it’s ‘Eco-Caravan‘ Aircraft.

The regional Brazilian Airline Conecta already operates a fleet of 27 Grand Caravans. Through the partnership, Ampaire will upgrade six of these aircraft to ‘Eco-Caravans’ with hybrid-electric propulsion.

This work will include converting Conecta’s Caravans to hybrid-electric propulsion by installing Ampaire’s  AMP-H570 hybrid-electric powertrain and battery pack. With this purchase, Conecta hopes to lower operating costs on its fleet by 25% or more, as well as meet its newest sustainability goals.

Notably, Conecta is a regional subsidiary of Brazil’s largest airline, Azul. Azul’s passengers may use Conecta aircraft for shorter-distance regional flights.

“We are thrilled to work with the visionary team at Azul Conecta,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “They are among a group of established air carriers ready to embrace a hybrid-electric solution, providing leadership for an entire industry.”

Said Flavio Costa, Azul Conecta´s CEO, “After evaluating a range of technologies, including fully-electric and hydrogen fuel cells, we concluded that Ampaire moves us toward our ESG goals much sooner. Azul Conecta has innovation as a mission and sees the upgrade to the Eco Caravan as a major innovation that accelerates our path to sustainability, maintaining a safety standard in our operations, which is our first and non-negotiable value.”

In addition, Azul will also work in consultation with Ampaire to develop electric aircraft charging infrastructure  across Conecta bases and at other airports.

The Azul Conecta order follows the first flight of the Eco Caravan in November 2022 and the announcement days later of a $9 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy to help Ampaire advance systems so that they are ready for FAA certification and series production.

Why it’s Important: This announcement marks one of the first purchases by a major airline for hybrid-electric aircraft. By upgrading its aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsions through Ampaire, Conecta has the potential to significantly reduce operating costs, and initiate a major change in the regional airline industry. As the developments of these aircraft and partnerships begin to grow, we may soon see hybrid-propulsion entering service on larger fixed-wing aircraft as well.

SkyDrive, a Japanese eVTOL maker backed by Toyota, recently announced that it will be entering into the US Market – specifically in South Carolina. The company has outlined plans to build infrastructure through two key airports in South Carolina, in order to develop an advanced air mobility ecosystem in this area of the United states.

Above: A single-seat prototype by Skydrive, which completed manned demonstration flights early on in the eVTOL industry’s development.

At the 2023 Vertical Flight Society eVTOL symposium in Mesa, Arizona, SkyDrive announced its initial home base of operations in the United States will be in South Carolina. The company was first invited to the state by the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation (BCEDC) in July 2022 and has since been working with local and state government agencies to study practical use cases for its eVTOL aircraft, the SD-05.

Above: SkyDrive SD-05 rendering

SkyDrive CEO, Tomohiro Fukuzawa, stated that the decision to make South Carolina the company’s home base in the U.S. was driven by the state’s strong presence in the commercial and military aviation industries, as well as its large network of aerospace and aviation companies, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin. With a mild climate, abundant tourism, and airports close to city centers, SkyDrive believes South Carolina is an ideal locationto utilize its SD-05 eVTOL aircraft.

“We are thrilled to bring our cutting-edge technology to the U.S. market and are confident that South Carolina’s resources and expertise in advanced aerospace manufacturing will provide us with a strong platform to achieve our goals,” said Fukuzawa. “We look forward to working with the state to create an advanced air mobility ecosystem that will put South Carolina at the forefront of eVTOL commercial operations.” 

SkyDrive’s vision for the future of transportation is to create a more efficient and convenient form of travel globally/ Wirth the establishment of its home base in South Carolina, the company hopes to move one step closer to realizing this goal.

Why it’s Important: Notably, this news marks the entry of a leading Japanese eVTOL manufacturer, SkyDrive, into the U.S. market. With its home base in South Carolina, a state known for its strong presence in the commercial and military aviation industries and for its network of aerospace and aviation companies, SkyDrive is poised to make a significant impact on the industry. 

SkyDrive’s decision to establish its home base in South Carolina also highlights the state’s commitment to advanced aerospace manufacturing and its potential to be a leader in the eVTOL market. This move also opens up new opportunities for SkyDrive to collaborate with local and state government agencies, aerospace companies, and other key stakeholders to create an advanced air mobility ecosystem in the state.

Source // Vertical Flight Society, SkyDrive

Related:

• SkyDrive Receives Order for up to 100 eVTOLs from Pacific Group
• SkyDrive Ranks Second in World Startup Competition
• SkyDrive Partners with Volatus Infrastructure

Chinese carmaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group recently announced that its subsidiary Aerofugia successfully completed a test flight of its prototype flying car, moving the company closer to its goal of delivering electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles to market.

The test flight of the AE200-series eVTOL vehicle, featuring a tilt-motor configuration, was made within two months of Aerofugia obtaining the country’s first license for such a manned flying car. It seats one pilot and four passengers, and was designed for “safe and comfortable” intercity and interurban area travel, according to Aerofugia.

“Geely’s successful test flight shows that it has enough scientific and technical capability to realise [the commercial viability of] its flying car project,” said Wang Ke, a senior consultant focused on the car industry, at Beijing-based consultancy Analysys.

Li Shufu, the billionaire founder and chairman of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Photo: Simon Song

Geely, which acquired Volvo Cars in 2010, a controlling stake in Lotus Cars in 2017, and a minority interest in Mercedes-Benz Group in 2018, showed its ambition to take to the skies when it agreed to buy US flying car start-up Terrafugia in June 2017. Founded in Boston by a group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates in 2006, Terrafugia designed the world’s first road-drivable flying car, called the Transition.

Following Geely’s investment in German air taxi developer Volocopter in September 2019, it backed the merger of Terrafugia with Chinese drone maker AOSSCI to form Aerofugia in 2020. This umbrella firm is based in Chengdu, capital of southwestern Sichuan province.

The AE200 X01 prototype is the largest eVTOL vehicle to complete a maiden flight in China and has met all technical conditions for flying, according to Aerofugia. “It marks a milestone in the development of the aircraft and lays the foundation for carrying out a subsequent series of test flights,” a company representative said.

Aerofugia, which formed a joint venture with Volocopter in 2021, will continue test flights of the prototype to accumulate safety data before it applies for a formal license to commercially release the eVTOL vehicle. Aerofugia claims that this type of certification is likely to be obtained “within three to five years” according to a publication via the South China Morning Post.

At present, the AE200’s government permit stipulates that its purpose is for sightseeing, emergency healthcare and logistics – making it an alternative to a car for a person’s daily commute.

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has been gradually relaxing its restrictions on low-altitude airspace – the airspace below 1,000 metres – for civilian use to promote the rapid development of its civil aviation industry. In March last year, the Ministry of Transport released a development plan that listed flying cars among the major tasks from 2021 to 2035.

“At present, the technical safety and stability have yet to be verified,” Wang of Analysys said. “Given that flying cars are still new in China, it will take time for people to accept it.”

Why it’s important: Aerofugia’s successful eVTOL test flight reflects how Geely founder and chairman Li Shufu’s deal-making track record is paying off for the company, as it rides the next wave of innovation in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. Aerofugia has been flight testing prototype vehicles for at least three years now, and continues to make notable progress via technical milestones and strategic partnerships.

Related:

• Geely Reveals Terrafugia TF-2A eVTOL
• Terrafugia’s Commaris signs first UAV dealer partnership with Homeland Surveillance Electronics
• Terrafugia’s Transition Receives FAA Certification