Advanced Air Mobility

Under the name Volocopter (Chengdu) Technology, the new venture aims to offer UAM solutions to China.

The startup has decided it wants to start flying people as soon as possible and so will certify the autonomous single-seat Heaviside H2 now in flight testing as its entry into the market.

Helicopter operator Bristow Group has announced a partnership with Vertical Aerospace to explore electric vertical-takeoff aircraft while Avolon is partnering with Brazilian airline GOL and transportation provider Grupo Comporte to commercialize an eVTOL ride-sharing platform in Brazil.

FAA’s Center for Emerging Concepts and Innovation addresses novel technologies in eVTOL, safety enhancements, electric propulsion, advanced flight controls and flight deck displays as well as advanced automation.

Los Angeles has already been identified as early launch market by urban air taxi developers Archer and Joby Aviation, and now Volocopter.

KVS Technologies has entered into agreement with Air Methods’ Spright, for one-stop linear inspection services for utility companies.

Electric Accel takes off; Moog flies SureFly; Tulips cleans airports; Terrafugia launches UAV; and Hamburg’s drone sandbox.

Aviation Week’s Advanced Air Mobility Report to date has covered the projects and companies that are staking ground in a market that they, themselves, are creating.

Universe of customers for eVTOL aircraft expands, with Europcar Brazil plans to order 50 eGyros from startup Skyworks Aeronautics.

South Korean automaker Hyundai and UK startup Urban-Air Port plan to develop 65 urban vertiports at key locations worldwide.

Testing of U-space services designed to enable unmanned and manned aircraft to share low-altitude airspace have begun in Hamburg.

EHang has partnered with operator Heli-Eastern to develop a low-altitude airspace management system.

SPAC Zanite Acquisitio is bringing on a controversial Trump administration defense secretary to its board.

French startup Ascendance Flight Technologies has closed a €10 million ($12 million) funding round.

Missile tests on the Korean Peninsula; MQ-25’s third customer; Vertex’s Raytheon training pickup; and Capella provides a SAR sampler.

U.S. private equity firm AE Industrial Partners is rolling up UAV-related businesses under the UAV Factory brand.

Israel’s Urban Aeronautics has secured an initial $10 million of the at least $100 million it needs to raise through a Series A funding round to support development of the CityHawk vertical-takeoff air taxi.

Jet Luxe has launched a new charter, management and travel services business to respond to record levels of demand for the services.

David Neeleman has been appointed to the board of directors of Lilium N.V., effective upon completion of Lilium’s business combination with Qell Acquisition Corp.

Beta Technologies has selected Canada’s CAE to develop the pilot and maintenance training program for the Alia electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.

BAE Systems has teamed up with UK uncrewed air system developer Malloy Aeronautics to develop a heavy lift multicopter for the littoral mission.

Shareholders in Atlas Crest Investment approved the blank-check company’s reverse merger with urban air mobility startup Archer Aviation in a Sept. 14 vote.

SkyGuardian’s UK firsts pave the way for the Royal Air Force Protector’s introduction in 2023.

Moog is latest to strike deal with the U.S. Air Force Agility Prime program to explore eVTOL technology.

The Japanese startup has advanced its plans to operate an urban air taxi service during World Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.