GAMA continues to build out what is its increasingly popular associate members EPIC membership category with the additions of four companies: Electric Power Systems, Pivotal, Venus Aerospace, and VoltAero.
Founded in 2016, North Logan, Utah-based Electric Power Systems provides high-power, scalable powertrains for electrified aviation. Palo Alto, California-based Pivotal was founded in 2011 to design light eVTOL aircraft. Venus Aerospace, founded in 2020 in Houston, meanwhile, is focused on engineering for future hypersonic aircraft. VoltAero, founded in 2017, is developing the five to 12-seat Cassio aircraft from its base in southwest France.
The latest additions push GAMA’s membership in the associate members EPIC category to nearly 40 organizations. GAMA established the EPIC, or Electric Propulsion & Innovation Committee, associate membership category in 2015 to tap into the nascent advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. Its membership ranges from academia, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. to light sport such as Icon, and those interested in AAM development such as Toyota.
In addition, several in this sector are full GAMA associate members, including Joby, Beta, Archer, Volocopter, and MagniX.
The EPIC Committee itself draws from a broad cross-section of GAMA’s membership and is so busy that it is has six working groups and/or subcommittees. These subgroups are focused on various aspects that will pave the way for AAM, including hydrogen, data communications, infrastructure, eVTOLs, hybrid/electric propulsion, and simplified vehicle operation.