Honeywell and Japan-based electric automotive specialist Denso have formed an alliance to develop electric propulsion systems for urban air mobility vehicles.
As Aviation Week launches a new publication dedicated to the AAM ecosystem, technology editor Graham Warwick and senior editor Guy Norris are joined by SMG Consulting’s Sergio Cecutta to discuss the thinking behind the latest update of his AAM Reality Index.
UK vertiport developer Skyports plans to have an operational facility for passenger electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft in place in Japan’s Osaka Prefecture in time for the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025.
UK vertiport developer Skyports plans to have an operational facility for passenger electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft in place in Japan’s Osaka Prefecture in time for the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025.
Wisk Aero is seeking a court injunction to prevent Archer Aviation from using trade secrets the Kitty Hawk/Boeing joint company alleges were stolen by former employees hired away by the rival urban air-taxi developer. Archer described the lawsuit as “baseless.”
European citizens generally would welcome urban air mobility, particularly for medical transport applications, but have concerns over safety, security, noise and the effects on wildlife and the cultural heritage of Europe’s old cities.
Harmonization of the differing European and U.S. approaches to regulating electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft is advancing somewhat, but there are concerns over the lack of information on China’s approach to approving the new class of aircraft.
The latest investment round gives Beta Technologies the funds to advance toward FAA certification while valuing the Vermont-based startup at $1.4 billion.
The startup did not identify the operator or its market sector, but the 40-aircraft order, plus an option for another 40, is “committed and in hand,” XTI CEO Bob LaBelle said.
Textron will not immediately enter the urban air mobility market, despite its “enormous amount of technological capability,” as the battery technology has not advanced enough to support it, Textron’s top executive says.
Tim Conver, who took over the then-spunky UAV pioneer AeroVironment in the early 1990s, will retire as chairman at the company’s 2021 annual shareholder meeting.
Startup Aergility is working with an unidentified strategic partner to develop a vertical-takeoff unmanned cargo aircraft using its “managed autorotation” technology to increase range and payload.
As it seeks strategic investors to set up operations in Canada, Jaunt Air Mobility has added to the list of suppliers working on the startup’s Journey electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing air taxi.
British parcel carrier Royal Mail is to fly uncrewed mail flights between the UK mainland and the Scilly Isles and perform interisland deliveries with a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system to test technologies that could better link remote communities.
Miami International Airport on May 6 announced its selection by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to serve as a test site for drone detection technologies.
