FutureFlight

Electric propulsion startup Evolito is accelerating efforts to power new aircraft with axial-flux technology that it claims will deliver motors with exceptional power density suitable for a variety of fixed-wing and VTOL applications.

Washington state-based electric aircraft developer Eviation has received an order for 20 Alice all-electric, nine-seat commuter airplanes from Australian airline and charter operator Northern Territory Air Services (NTAS), the manufacturer announced Thursday. Eviation’s order book for its electric airplane is now worth more than $2 billion.

Ground infrastructure company Skyports and eVTOL aircraft developer Volocopter have opened a vertiport testbed facility at Pontoise-Cormeilles Airport near Paris. The facility is being used as part of an extended planning exercise to prepare for the launch of urban air mobility services during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and has the support of local officials and airports operator Groupe ADP.

In a letter to shareholders reporting third-quarter financial results, Vertical Aerospace provided an update on flight testing of its VX4 eVTOL prototype. The UK company has been drawing on its equity line from Japan's Nomura Securities to maintain investments in plans to bring the four-passenger aircraft into commercial service with a dozen prospective customers in 2025.

California-based urban air mobility startup Archer Aviation this week announced its first commercial air taxi route. Using its four-seat Midnight eVTOL air taxi, Archer plans to transport passengers between Newark Liberty Airport’s United Airlines hub and a helipad in New York City. 

While most vehicle manufacturers working in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector are focused on building eVTOL air taxis and other electric or hybrid aircraft, a few companies are pressing ahead with plans for literal flying cars—vehicles that can both fly in the air and be driven on roads. 

Switzerland's Jekta believes that by the end of the 2020s it could be delivering an all-electric 19-passenger seaplane called the PHA-ZE 100 that would be able to operate in wave conditions of up to four feet. The company is seeking financial backers to step up work on a prototype for an aircraft that may eventually be powered with a hydrogen propulsion system instead of battery packs.

Hydrogen-electric propulsion system developer ZeroAvia is teaming up with AGS Airports to bring zero-emissions flight options to Scotland. The two companies will work together to explore the hydrogen fuel infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and other resources that will be necessary to support hydrogen-powered aviation at Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) and Glasgow International Airport (GLA).

Spright, which is the uncrewed aircraft division of emergency medical service helicopter operator Air Methods, will support Dufour's efforts to bring the Aero2 drone to market in 2025 and will also provide maintenance and training for other operators in North America. Dufour is ready to start building the first pre-production prototype of the tiltwing design and is also working on an eight-seat eVTOL aircraft called the Aero3.

Merlin Labs has selected the PU-3000 multicore avionics computer, built by Canada's CMC Electronics, to power its autonomous flight systems.