Hydrogen fuel cell propulsion for aviation is getting its start using automotive technology, but meeting the performance requirements of future commercial aircraft will require technology improvements across a broad range of components.
As the U.S. prepares to renew its counter-drone legislation—designed so that government agencies can protect against drones—startup Shield Counter UAS of the UK is working with vertiport and airport planners to design counter-uncrewed aircraft systems capabilities for the public sector.
Embraer’s urban air mobility spinoff Eve Holding saw cash burn accelerate in the first half of 2022 as it increased research and development (R&D) spending on its electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi and urban air traffic management program.
Zipline has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to help implement “m:N operations” in which a small number of humans manage many autonomous drones or air taxis in U.S. airspace.
Since advanced air mobility initiatives took shape with the first Uber Elevate Summit, among the distinctions has been pressure for fast-paced development and certification, with promises of air taxis transporting Summer Olympics attendees as early as 2024 in Paris.
Proposed new federal legislation would renew the legal authorities already granted to U.S. agencies to protect critical infrastructure and events against rogue drones and empower the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to “proactively” prevent drone incursions at airports.
Autonomous advanced air mobility vehicles offer a solution to minimizing the environmental impact of wildfires, panelists told a White House-sponsored AAM conference Aug. 3.
The EU’s push for advanced air mobility has given rise to AiRMOUR, a project designed to develop tools that will help urban planners, cities, first responders, airports and ground services, and AAM vehicle operators establish emergency medical services.
For now, urban air mobility is focused on small two-four-passenger air taxis. But a UK study suggests that larger, 30-50-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft could be competitive with existing modes of public transportation while reducing emissions and congestion.
American Airlines has invested in zero-emission propulsion developer ZeroAvia and signed a memorandum of understanding covering a possible order for 100 hydrogen-electric engines to retrofit CRJ regional jets.
Massachusetts-based Sensata Technologies has provided prototypes of a passive fly-by-wire inceptor for eVTOL aircraft to several AAM manufacturers. Versions with 1, 2 and 3 control axes are available.
Infrastructure developer Skyports Infrastructure and AirAsia’s Advanced Air Mobility, a unit of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited, have signed a one-year letter of intent to study air taxi infrastructure development in Malaysia.
Automotive giant Volkswagen has joined the race to develop electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, unveiling its passenger prototype July 29 with Volkswagen Group China.
Operators and manufacturers of advanced-air-mobility (AAM) solutions have several significant hurdles to overcome if they wish to win public acceptance, according to a study published late last month by the UK’s Future Flight Challenge program.
Hybrid Air Vehicles has begun marketing a larger cousin of its in-development low-carbon Airlander 10 airship, and has set up a partner program with potential customers to help inform design and specification.
Zero-carbon flight-technology development often appears to be the preserve of two kinds of companies: large OEMs eyeing replacements for their fossil-fueled products and startups bringing in new ideas and funding.
Honeywell Aerospace’s plans to supply flight-control actuation and thermal-management technologies to Archer Aviation for its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.
Tailwind Technologies, the parent company of Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Engine Tech and Hartzell Aerospace Welding, has formed Hartzell Aviation to combine the three brands under one umbrella, the company announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
Electric Power Systems plans to ship its first EPiC modular propulsion batteries to electric-aircraft developers this summer for testing in their system-integration laboratories.
