Propulsion-electric

The Helios Horizon stratospheric electric aircraft has flown powered by solid-state batteries, believed to be the first piloted flight using the fast-charging, energy-dense battery tech.

Hybrid-electric regional aircraft developer Heart Aerospace has begun taxi tests of its full-scale piloted flight demonstrator, the X1.

Honda eVTOL flies; helping to avoid contrails; bio-based carbon fiber advances; Korea’s engine independence bid; and Airbus’ Canadian tech hub.

Electra CEO Marc Allen talks with Karen Walker about the new EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft.

German electric aircraft startup Vaeridion has started producing battery packs at its new facility in Oberpfaffenhofen.

Electric seaplane family plan; battery team for hybrid regional; U.S. quantum computing boost; and folding-wing eVTOL UAS.

Taiwanese battery maker Molicel plans to cooperate with Canadian startup Evio Aircraft, which intends to develop a 76-seat, hybrid-electric regional airliner.

The Norwegian startup developing the Noemi electric flying boat is targeting first flight of a prototype by the end of 2027.

Laminar-flow business jet; hybrid-electric tiltwing; Solar Impulse 2 lost; and jet fuel from ethanol.

Scaled Composites built the flying-wing UAS under a DARPA project to demonstrate hybrid propulsion.

The latest flights advance United Therapeutics’ hydrogen-electric helicopter program beyond hover testing into more complex flight operations.

Hybrid-electric Shepard; deployable electric high-lift; laminar-flow UAS; and Leonardo’s advanced tiltrotor.

Editors examine Joby Aviation’s piloted New York City demos and Unither Bioelectronics’ hydrogen-electric R44 flights in Quebec as AAM moves closer to real-world deployment.

Computing by laser; automating light helicopters; uncrewed airdropping; and beam-powered UAS.

Lower-altitude “e-routes,” along with changes to airspace regulations, will be needed to integrate electric aircraft into the commercial aviation environment.

Norwegian eSTOL trial; advanced drone batteries; hybrid powerplants delivered; and tackling fuel cell water problems.

Startup Elysian revises its electric regional aircraft concept to reflect achievable battery performance.

Aura Aero unveiled multiple cabin configurations of the ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft it is developing for a planned entry into service in 2030.

As long-term and highly experienced incumbents like Boeing know all too well, certification is not a quick or easy process.

Swiss startup Smartflyer has received the first set of certifiable battery modules for its SF1 four-seat electric aircraft from energy storage developer H55.

Electra and Bristow Group plan to conduct operational testing of its hybrid-electric ultra-short-takeoff-and-landing (eSTOL) aircraft in Norway.

Electron Aerospace has unveiled a revised concept for its E5 all-electric five-seater.

Luxaviation has agreed to act as launch operator for French startup Beyond Aero’s planned hydrogen-electric business aircraft.

Dutch startup Elysian Aircraft has completed the conceptual design review for its planned electric regional aircraft after revising the configuration.

H55 delivered conforming, certifiable battery modules to Czech manufacturer BRM Aero for installation in the Bristell B23 Energic electric training aircraft.