Business Aviation & AAM Report

Plans for drone deliveries in the U.S. are accelerating as the FAA prepares to release a final rule enabling routine BVLOS commercial operations.

Whisper Aero tests ultraquiet electric ducted fans on a modified Swift 3 glider, achieving low noise levels and advancing military and FAA projects.

LightHawk’s new CEO Elliott Wright leads conservation flights, using volunteer pilots to protect ecosystems and accelerate conservation success.

The FAA’s initiative to showcase advanced air mobility (AAM) is gathering pace, with Electra.aero demonstrating hybrid-electric flights connecting small local airports to major airline hubs.

Ampaire secures $19 million Series B funding to advance hybrid-electric propulsion, targeting certification and fuel-saving solutions for commercial aviation.

Flyte builds a regional air mobility network with Vision Jets, targeting expansion and preparing for eVTOL integration as next-generation aircraft become available.

China’s AutoFlight has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesian helicopter operator Whitesky Aviation for 60 V2000EM Prosperity passenger eVTOLs.

The UK government and industry partners, including Google, have launched a large-scale contrail-avoidance trial on flights across the North Atlantic, one of the world’s contrail hot spots.

News about people at King Aerospace, Western Aircraft and others.

The ePlane Co. targets April 2027 flight testing of its e200X eVTOL, initially pursuing air ambulance operations.

Cirrus expands Grand Forks production, grows its workforce and develops new products and technology to broaden aviation access.

A German aviation logistics company is planning to adapt a pair of former C-160 Transall turboprop airlifters into aerial firefighting aircraft for deployment in Europe.

Trump administration seeks additional funding for ambitious ATC modernization, but congressional uncertainty and radar delays threaten progress.

Swiss aerospace manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft has begun operations in its new advanced composite center, “Schwarzhorn,” in central Switzerland.

Beta Technologies clears FAA regulatory hurdles for H500A engine and CX300 aircraft certification, advancing its electric aviation and charging network goals.

Vertical Aerospace nears critical design freeze for its Valo eVTOL but faces funding challenges as it works toward certification and production.

Heart Aerospace completes first flight of X1, a full-scale electric demonstrator, validating key technologies for its hybrid-electric ES-30.

Lockheed Martin and Verizon have demonstrated the ability to detect small drones using signals from existing cellular networks.

StandardAero reports strong commercial and business aviation demand and expects a military maintenance uptick as deployed assets return.

Archer CEO says the Wisk, Insitu and SkyGrid acquisitions transform the air taxi developer into a diversified A&D company.

Israeli startup AIR selects Florida’s SunTrax as its U.S. manufacturing and flight test site for the personal eVTOL aircraft.

Canada’s Volatus Aerospace is exploring the potential of autonomous firefighting with the developer of a Spanish uncrewed amphibious aircraft.

Air Charter Association’s internship program showcases effectiveness.

As Robinson Helicopters steps up development of autonomous and hybrid-powered versions of its light piston single R44, the California-based company has marked the delivery of the 5,000th R44 Raven II.

SC Aviation acquires Heartland Aviation, expanding its presence in western Wisconsin and the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.