Results for: vickers aircraft

Cyclorotor unveiled footage of the first flight of their Bumblebee2.0 concept with an Enhanced Propulsion system last week. The flight occurred at the end of August, 2023. This aircraft showcases a unique configuration, featuring four CR42 CycloRotors and an advanced flight control system. The launch of the outdoor flight campaign marks progress toward development of CYCLOROTOR’s unique aviation propulsion system.

The flight demonstration took place at a general aviation airport in Austria. CYCLOROTOR shares that their outdoor flight operations adhere to all applicable regulations set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), operating under the UAS operational authorization for the “specific” category.

Over the coming months, Cyclorotor plans to demonstrate the capabilities of its 360° thrust vectoring CycloRotors. These innovative propulsion units are based off of a design that’s over 100 years old and can challenge traditional aerial mobility industry aircraft configurations. However, not all are in agreement of the level of enhanced maneuverability, stability, and efficiency in flight offered by this unique configuration. CYCLOROTOR aims to systematically expand the flight envelope, further exploring and collecting data on the performance of their unique aircraft design.

While the debut of Bumblebee2.0 represents a unique application of a novel propulsion and lifting concept that is over a century old, it is important to note that this novel configuration may only partially permeate into limited applications in the drone industry. As with any unique configuration, widespread adoption often requires time and industry-wide acceptance in addition to successful, demonstrated performance.

Why it’s important: CYCLOROTOR has invited aviation enthusiasts, industry stakeholders, and the public to stay tuned for more updates as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of aerial mobility. While their novel configuration is still not proven for widespread application, the team is making strides toward advancement of a unique type of aircraft and collecting data that can be used to improve future variants.

Japanese-based eVTOL maker, SkyDrive, has announced an MOU with Solyu, an aircraft leasing company in Korea, for 50 eVTOL aircraft. Solyu is a lessor based in Korea run by team with decades of experience in the aircraft leasing and finance industry with a focus on providing customers with zero emissions vehicles such as eVTOL, eCTOL, and eSTOL.

SkyDrive is currently developing a three-seat electric, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft called “SKYDRIVE.” Its eVTOL is in the process of acquiring its Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) certification.

In Korea, the metropolitan area faces a problem of severe traffic congestion, and the Korean government formed the Korea Urban Air Mobility (K-UAM) Roadmap, expecting that the time and social costs can be reduced by 70%. The government also promotes the plan for public-private joint demonstration project, the K-UAM Grand Challenge. Solyu believes it is important to promote the use of electric, zero-emission vehicles in Korea to accelerate the K-UAM goal and agreed on the pre-order of SkyDrive eVTOL.

SkyDrive and Solyu continue to evaluate commercial eVTOL considerations such as vertiports, routes, infrastructure requirements, and ecosystems with the Korean government and other interested stakeholders to launch new mobility solutions in Korea.

Solyu Company President, Andrew Claerbout, commented on the memorandum of understanding, “The eVTOL market will bring opportunities for reducing global emissions and increasing traveler convenience. We’re honored to work with SkyDrive and the award-winning SD-05 to develop this global market.”

Why it’s important: Korea is one of the most dense urban markets in the world and is a prime market for the eVTOL industry. With a fleet of 50 SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft, Solyu has an opportunity to leverage electrified aviation and offer low-cost, emission free travel in the area.

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) has entered into an expansive partnership with BETA Technologies to install the first ever electric aircraft charging station at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

Initiated in 2020, this partnership has been instrumental in expediting the adoption of electric aviation within both the United States military and the broader commercial aviation sector. An illustrious milestone in this journey saw BETA Technologies being recognized as the foremost electric aircraft developer to secure an airworthiness certificate for manned flight from the military. Furthermore, they have conducted the sole piloted qualitative evaluation flights, featuring esteemed test pilots from the United States Air Force and Army.

This partnership, dedicated to evaluating the feasible mission capabilities and broad applicability of BETA’s electric aircraft and chargers, is set to persist with the forthcoming introduction of BETA’s ALIA aircraft to Eglin Air Force Base this autumn. Notably, BETA’s versatile and intermodal electric charger has demonstrated the remarkable capacity to recharge an electric aircraft in under an hour.

BETA originally was in pursuit of developing its eVTOL aircraft version, but recently decided to also certify a CTOL version, Alia, which will be delivered to Elgin Air Force Base. Meanwhile other eVTOL companies including Joby and Archer have also committed to delivering their respective air taxis to other Air Force bases near the end of 2023 or early 2024.

Related:

• UPS and BETA Technologies to test UAE electric flight deliveries
• Beta Technologies to Enhance Focus on Electric Aircraft Certification

Bearing conformity to the established standards jointly agreed upon by a substantial segment of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, as delineated in the recent ‘Interoperability of Electric Charging Infrastructure’ whitepaper by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), BETA’s chargers exhibit the versatility to support an array of electric aircraft while also accommodating ground electric vehicles.

“The DoD, and specifically AFWERX’s Agility Prime team, have been invaluable partners to us for the past several years, offering deep insights that have helped us continue to progress our technology,” said Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark. “The installation of this charger is an enabling step as the DOD looks to transition to a more sustainable fleet. We look forward to using it to charge our aircraft later this year during planned on-base experimentation with the Air Force at Duke Airfield.”

“Charging station installation is a critical step to unleash test and experimentation with the DoD to leverage emerging electric aviation technology as a capability for the warfighter,” said Maj Anthony Zartman, Agility Prime’s program manager and team lead. “Two charging test sites will be set up by the end of the calendar year, marking the first multimodal charging capabilities for the Air Force. Further, the charging stations will provide an opportunity to explore the utility of electric vehicle fleet modernization as well as base and flight line support equipment to improve energy use and reduce emissions.”

Why it’s important: This pioneering Level 3 DC fast-charging facility is poised to provide essential support for on-site electric vehicle experimentation, signifying the latest advancement in the enduring collaboration between BETA Technologies and the DoD through its esteemed AFWERX Agility Prime Program.

Joby subsidiary, H2FLY has announced successful completion of the world first piloted flight of a liquid hydrogen-powered electric aircraft.

H2FLY, acquired by Joby in 2021, continues to lead the industry on the development and testing of hydrogen aviation propulsion systems. The company completed a series of piloted flights with its HY4 demonstrator aircraft, including one that lasted more than three hours, fitted with a hydrogen-electric fuel cell propulsion system and liquid hydrogen that powered it for the entire flight.

The flights demonstrate the viability of using cryogenically-stored liquid hydrogen instead of gaseous hydrogen, which enables significantly lower tank weights and volume, leading to longer range. The successful installation and demonstration of flight with liquid hydrogen is believed to increase the range of H2FLY’s HY4 demonstrator aircraft from 466 mi (750 km) to 932 mi (1500 km), marking a critical step towards the long-term decarbonization of mid- to long-range aviation.

“H2FLY are pioneers in their field, and we’re proud of them achieving this watershed moment in the use of liquid hydrogen to power aircraft,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “In the years to come, battery-electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems will enable us to build aircraft that are quieter and make mid- to long-range air travel possible with zero emissions. It’s critical we take action now and invest aggressively in these technologies for the health of our planet and future generations to come.”

The successful flights are the culmination of Project HEAVEN, a European-government-supported consortium assembled to demonstrate the feasibility of using liquid hydrogen in aircraft. The consortium is led by H2FLY and includes the partners Air Liquide, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies, and Fundación Ayesa.

Why it matters: Following this test flight milestone, H2FLY will increasingly focus on its path to commercialization. In June, H2FLY announced the development of its new fuel cell systems, which will be capable of providing their full power range at altitudes high enough to enable commercial hydrogen-electric aircraft, demonstrating real-world commercial aircraft applications. Hydrogen-electric platforms offer a longer range offering than all-electric vehicles and will do well to capture the mid/long range aircraft space.

Source: Joby Press Release

VerdeGo Aero and Röder Präzision GmbH announced on June 14th that they have jointly introduced the SR-305-VDG aircraft engine, an engine optimized for hybrid-electric applications. The engine is designed to complement battery energy storage by converting liquid fuels (Jet-A, JP-8, SAF, e-fuels) into electricity, providing additional propulsive power for electric aircraft. This collaboration aims to enhance the performance of electric aircraft and promote more sustainable aviation practices.

The SR-305-VDG engine is the result of two years of testing and engineering development between VerdeGo Aero and Röder Präzision GmbH. Its key features include higher power output, reduced weight, and a smaller system volume, making it an ideal power source for a new generation of high-performance electric aircraft.

VerdeGo Aero’s VH-3 hybrid powerplant, equipped with the SR-305-VDG engine, will be showcased at AirVenture 2023, emphasizing its potential in supporting high-performance electric aircraft for various missions. The engine’s ability to use different types of liquid fuels enables aircraft to achieve higher energy densities, thereby extending their range and mission capabilities.

Eric Bartsch, CEO of VerdeGo Aero, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating that the partnership has enabled the delivery of a hybrid powerplant that meets the demands of electric aircraft manufacturers looking for more efficient and powerful solutions.

Jörg Erdmann, COO of Röder Präzision GmbH, expressed his excitement about the engine’s potential for hybrid-electric applications and how it could contribute to reducing carbon emissions in aviation through the use of sustainable aviation fuels.

Why it’s important: The introduction of the SR-305-VDG aircraft engine represents further progress by Verdego toward electrification and democratization of aviation. By offering a more efficient and sustainable power source, this collaboration has the potential to offer additional powerplant choices for aircraft configurators. As reported previously by TransportUP, this represents the company’s approach toward bridging the gap between the most advanced and efficient powerplant offerings of today and in the future.

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.

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

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.

The Federal Aviation Administration has taken another key step toward safely enabling advanced air mobility this week by proposing a comprehensive rule for training and certifying pilots.  

“These proposed rules of the sky will safely usher in this new era of aviation and provide the certainty the industry needs to develop,” said Acting Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety David Boulter. 

Our next step to integrate air taxis is to determine how pilots of these powered-lift aircraft should be trained and certified. The FAA is now accepting comments from the public on a new proposed rule outlining the requirements to pilot these aircraft. https://t.co/KIuzJRCK2r pic.twitter.com/vwQD3Z4aCH

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) June 7, 2023

New rules are necessary because many of the proposed aircraft take off and land like a helicopter but fly enroute like an airplane. The powered-lift proposed rule is designed to provide certainty to pilots and the industry on what the requirements and expectations will be to operate these aircraft once it is finalized. Under the proposed rule: 

• A clear pathway is proposed for pilots to earn powered-lift ratings specific to each type of aircraft they fly. 
• Pilots who work for powered-lift aircraft manufacturers could serve as the initial cadre of flight instructors, who could then train instructors at flight schools, training centers and air carriers. 
• To safely accelerate pilot certification, alternate eligibility criteria would enable certain pilots to meet flight-time experience requirements faster. This would apply to pilots who already hold a commercial pilot certificate and are instrument rated. 
• Powered-lift aircraft would follow the same set of operating rules as traditional aircraft that are used in private and commercial flights and air tours. 

The proposal would conform to International Civil Aviation Organization requirements, enabling U.S. pilots to operate in other countries. 

Individuals can comment on the proposed rule for 60 days after it publishes in the Federal Register.

The proposed rule closely follows another integration milestone. Last month, the FAA released an updated blueprint for airspace and procedure changes to accommodate future air taxis.  

For more information, visit the FAA’s Advanced Air Mobility website.

Why it’s important: The FAA has published their Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for powered-lift aircraft operations. This rule-making effort is critical to defining the certification path for civil operation of many eVTOL air taxis currently in development, and emphasizes a collaborative effort to best recruit expert knowledge from throughout the industry.

ZeroAvia and Natilus have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop hydrogen-electric engines for the Natilus Kona blended-wing-body (BWB) cargo aircraft. ZeroAvia’s ZA600 will be the sole hydrogen-electric propulsion source offered for the novel Kona short-haul feeder UAV, with the partnership focused on delivering zero-emission and lower cost operations.

Natilus recently validated the performance of the BWB design with flight testing of a quarter-scale Kona prototype aircraft, following three years of extensive wind-tunnel testing, while ZeroAvia has now conducted eight test flights of its prototype ZA600, 600kW engine in a 19-seat testbed aircraft.

ZeroAvia has already commenced flight testing of a 600kW prototype hydrogen-electric engine, which supports the development and certification of two initial engine classes: a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027. Based in the US and the UK, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for three prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA.

In support of this effort, ZeroAvia also recently announced the creation of a hydrogen production facility at Birmingham Airport (BHX), featuring an on-site hydrogen production aircraft refueling facility, with the potential for multi-modal applications.  

Subject to funding, planning, and regulatory permissions being secured, the ambition would be to use the pioneering plant to support early flight demonstrations, and also refuel road vehicles, potentially including local buses. In advance of this, BHX has commenced talks with a major automotive company about trialing hydrogen buses and cars on its airfield.  

Why it’s important: The Natilus Kona, with its novel BWB design, offers increased volume for hydrogen storage, potentially transforming the air cargo delivery industry to one with low-cost, low carbon emissions, while also extending flight range. The partnership with ZeroAvia will leverage their expertise in hydrogen-electric powertrain technology with Natilus’ unique design to potentially create a scalable, long-range, and zero-emission air cargo delivery solution for the entire industry.

Related:

• Alaska Airlines Partners with ZeroAvia to Develop the World’s Largest Zero-Emission Aircraft
• ZeroAvia Achieves ‘Record-Breaking’ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Performance

Through partnerships with business jet and private helicopter operators ASL Group and Air-Dynamic SA, Lilium has sold up to eleven more of its initial production aircraft to these major charter companies.

On May 24th, Lilium signed an agreement with business jet operator ASL Group for the delivery of six Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets. The agreement includes deposit payments to Lilium.

With these aircraft, ASL intends to create a sustainable, high-speed transportation network connecting major hubs across Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Western Germany for its customers.

Philippe Bodson, owner and CEO of ASL Group said: “Our company is constantly seeking new ways to operate responsibly and contribute to a healthy future, both socially and ecologically. The Lilium Jet is a great opportunity to provide better value to our customers in a sustainable way. With zero operating emissions, vertical take-off landing capability, and a spacious premium cabin, Lilium represents the best option on the market.” 

ASL Group is one of Europe’s leading business jet management and operator companies, with offices and bases in most Belgian and Dutch airports. It currently manages and operates more than 45 aircraft, and is currently seeking new and innovative ways to serve its customers.

Air-Dynamic meanwhile, operates in Switzerland and Italy, and has signed an agreement for delivery of up to five Lilium Pioneer jets, which also included deposit payments.

Notably, Air-Dynamic already operates both helicopters and business jets in these areas with over 20 years of experience, making it a prime candidate for adoption of Lilium’s eVTOL jet. By owning and operating these aircraft, Air Dynamic SA hopes to capitalize on the high-end European business travel and tourism market.

Said Raffaella Meledandri, CEO of Air-Dynamic SA, “This partnership represents an important step for Air-Dynamic SA and the entire aviation industry. We are excited to work with Lilium to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of aviation. The first project’s goal is to connect Lugano directly with Milan City Center and in parallel to establish a good connection in Italy for the most touristic destinations such as Lake Como and Capri.”

Currently, Air-Dynamic SA specializes in networked routes across Switzerland, Italy, Côte d’Azur, and French Alps. 

Why it’s important: Regional private jet and helicopter combination operators represent a prime and immediately applicable market for eVTOL aircraft with mid-range capabilities, such as the Lilium eVTOL. By purchasing these aircraft, operators can not only save on operating and maintenance costs, but can also offer their customers a unique and highly luxurious experience with this new kind of aircraft. Ultimately, these business models will also give Lilium and other eVTOL makers a chance to proof their viability and commercial feasibility, and build business towards expansion into more market segments.

Source // Lilium

Related:

• Lilium announces capital raise for up to $250 million (May 2023)
• Lilium and eVolare sign deal for up to 20 aircraft (December 2022)
• Lilium and Helity to Develop High Speed Electric Air Mobility Network in Southern Spain (August 2022)
• AAP Aviation to develop electric regional air mobility in Norway with the Lilium Jet (July 2022)
• Lilium Completes Transition from Hover to Winged Flight (June 2022)

Vertical Aerospace just announced that South Korean mobility technology company, Kakao Mobility, has pre-ordered up to 50 of Vertical’s VX4 aircraft, adding South Korea to Vertical’s list of customer launch markets.

Kakao Mobility, the largest Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform in South Korea with more than 30 million registered users, is the mobility subsidiary of South Korean internet giant, Kakao Corporation. Kakao Mobility runs the country’s most popular taxi-hailing app, Kakao T, providing taxi-hailing, designated driver booking, parking space search, and Kakao Navi app providing real-time traffic information services.

Vertical and Kakao Mobility will establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to drive the commercialization of AAM services in South Korea, including the exploration of network and fleet planning, infrastructure requirements, regulatory development, and consumer awareness of eVTOL mobility solutions.

This JWG builds on Vertical’s existing consortium partnership with Kakao Mobility, LG Uplus, GS E&C, and the continued engagement with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for the K-UAM Grand Challenge (K-UAM GC).

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical’s Founder and CEO, said “We are delighted to be partnering with Kakao Mobility. With its over 30 million registered users, Kakao Mobility is the go-to choice to ‘hail a ride’ and with our partnership, we look forward to people across South Korea being able to fly in a VX4 in the years to come. We are thrilled to be working together to make our joint vision a reality’.”

Alex Ryu, CEO of Kakao Mobility commented, “Kakao Mobility is the leading mobility platform and in an AI-enabled world with needs for faster, eco-friendly means of moving, we understand that UAM will be a game-changer in the near future. We are excited to take part in Vertical Aerospace’s mission to launch its VX4 globally and to bring an UAM service to Korean market. We will be expanding our business not only on the ground but to the sky through this partnership. As a consolidated mobility platform, Kakao Mobility will develop the “De Facto Standard” for UAM services. We look forward to collaborating closely to complete the K-UAM Grand Challenge successfully and into commercialization shortly after K-UAM GC.”

Vertical already has strong ties to South Korea with Hanwha, a key partner for the VX4 certification aircraft. Vertical is leveraging Hanwha’s four decades of industrial expertise to collaborate on the development and supply of actuator systems for the VX4.

Related:

• Vertical Aerospace moves towards Certification with VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
• Marubeni Pre-Orders 25 Aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, Conducts Proof of Concept Operations in Osaka
• Vertical to Partner with Babcock for Development of eVTOL EMS Applications

Why it’s important: South Korea is one of the largest economies in the world and is home to globally leading technology companies. Seoul, as well as other regions including Busan, is expected to have a significant Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market potential. The agreement with Kakao Mobility marks Vertical’s first partnership with a mobility technology company, enabling Vertical to leverage their existing customer base and vehicle network to create a seamless air-to-ground passenger journey and UAM ecosystem in the country.