Aerospace

Achieving transition from rotor-borne vertical to wing-borne horizontal flight is a key milestone in the development of a winged electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft–a landmark that surprisingly few of the advanced air mobility startups have yet reached.

Abu Dhabi based Sirius Aviation Capital Holdings (Sirius) has announced the acquisition of a portfolio of five single-aisle, mid-life aircraft increasing total aircraft under management to 17 valued circa. $500m.

Flydubai has announced that Match Day Shuttle flights between Dubai and Doha for the upcoming football World Cup tournament in Qatar are now available to book on its website.

Qatar Airways has issued a statement regarding the Airbus A350 aircraft.

Eve Holdings, the Embraer startup, and Joby posted positive price per share for the last two weeks, as the remainder of the Advanced Air Mobility Composite Index declined.

Leonardo has hosted Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum at its United States’ helicopter headquarters in Philadelphia, providing her the opportunity to personally test the revolutionary AW609.

Emirates is back for its tenth consecutive year as the Official Airline and Premium Partner of Roland-Garros 2022.

Helicopters are being used to fight both poaching and car hijacking in South Africa.

Inflation and labor concerns mean that company owners looking to sell their businesses should wait a little longer.

Bombardier’s EcoJet; Natilus cargo BWB; Lilium’s refined Jet; and FAA/Daedalean on AI.

Interest in advanced air mobility in Asia continues to strengthen, with vehicle manufacturer EHang and vertiport developer Skyports announcing new agreements in the region.

Lilium is to collaborate with lithium producer Livent on research and development of lithium metal technology for high-performance battery cells.

Lilium has selected Spanish aerostructures supplier Aernnova to produce the key propulsion mounting system for its Lilium Jet electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi.

Astroscale will build its Elsa-M satellite servicer for European customers and perhaps others with the goal of a late-2024 launch after a €14.8 million ($15.9 million) infusion via a European Space Agency and OneWeb alliance.

Space Systems Command on May 26 ordered eight launches from United Launch Alliance and SpaceX under the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 procurement program.

French startup VoltAero has been selected to conduct demonstration flights in the Netherlands and Germany with its Cassio 1 hybrid-electric propulsion testbed.

Airlines and lessors are increasingly vocal about Boeing aircraft delays.

Qatar Airways has partnered with flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Oman Air, and Saudia to bring football fans match day shuttle flights for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Air India will provide a group medical insurance scheme to staff that will replace its medical dispensary services.

Botswana, Malawi and Zambia are some of the few countries in the world which still regulate the price of aviation fuel. This has led to a fuel supply monopoly, which raises concerns that the sole supplier may be taking advantage of their position to overcharge – and perhaps under-supply.

Listen in as the University of Michigan’s aerospace engineering chair Dr. Anthony Waas and Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick discuss megatrends that are reshaping the industry with host Joe Anselmo.

The uncrewed flight test sets the stage for a shakedown flight with astronauts.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Reliable Robotics has hired Kevin Sagis as the autonomous aircraft systems company’s senior vice president and chief engineer.

U.S. startup Natilus is conducting wind tunnel tests of the initial regional feeder member of its planned family of blended wing body uncrewed cargo aircraft.