FutureFlight

The UK government’s Aerospace Technology Institute has awarded £8 million ($10 million) to support Vertical Aerospace’s efforts to bring its four-passenger VX4 eVTOL aircraft to market. The new funding comes a month after the start-up's founder committed $50 million to support the program into 2025 as Vertical tries to complete type certification by the end of 2026.

Eve Air Mobility has signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore-based private aviation group Yugo Global Industries to study the potential for urban air mobility (UAM) services using eVTOL aircraft in Southeast Asia.

PhilJets plans to bring on-demand eVTOL air taxi services to the Philippines, and potentially Cambodia, under a letter of intent with Lilium that should see it acquire 10 of the six-passenger Lilium Jets. According to the manufacturer, the Southeast Asian country's numerous island communities are well suited to the business model opened up by electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Construction of the Climate Impulse aircraft has begun as Bertrand Piccard and his backers work towards the objective of a non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 2028. Airbus, Daher, Dassault, Safran, Ariane, and Synesqo are among the companies contributing to the effort.

Reliable Robotics is developing technology to support continuous autopilot engagement throughout all phases of flight, including automatic taxi, takeoff, and landing. It says the switch to automated flight will reduce or eliminate controlled flight into terrain and loss of control in flight, which are the two most prevalent causes of fatal aviation accidents.

Indian seaplane operator Mehair has committed to buying up to 100 of Sirius Aviation's planned hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft, which will seat between three and five passengers. The company also intends to be involved in overseeing local production of the aircraft in India, as well as franchising sales and support for other operators.

Under a letter of intent with Mayman Aerospace, Savback Helicopters is set to receive 300 copies of the Speeder 100 uncrewed air vehicle between 2025 and 2026. The manufacturer says artificial intelligence capability will mean the aircraft can interface with modern battlefield management networks for various defense applications.

In addition to converted Cessna Grand Caravans and Regent's planned electric sea glider, Surf Air Mobility's proposed U.S. regional air services will feature Electra's nine-passenger hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft in 2028. The companies announced a 90-aircraft purchase agreement and say they will work together to develop routes based on Electra's ability to operate from little more than 150 feet of space.

Airbus is content to take the rest of the decade to bring the four-seater eVTOL model to market, arguing that the business viability for urban air mobility has yet to be fully defined. The aerospace group is preparing to start flight tests with the CityAirbus NextGen as it steps up work with multiple international partners to prepare early use cases, including scheduled shuttle routes, ecotourist flights, and emergency medical services

Shortly after Beta Technologies’ Alia electric airplane prototype completed its three-month deployment at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida last month, it spent more than a week in Savannah, Georgia, where the U.S. Air National Guard used it for a series of military training exercises, the Vermont-based aircraft developer announced February 12.