FutureFlight

Destinus, a Swiss start-up that aims to develop a hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft for high-speed cargo deliveries, has resumed test flights with its Jungfrau technology demonstrator after the initial test flight of a second, larger prototype didn’t go as smoothly as planned. 

Jeju Island has announced its intention to launch eVTOL air taxi routes for tourists in 2025, making it South Korea’s first municipality to adopt plans for urban air mobility. Three flight paths along the island’s coastlines will connect the Jeju International Airport to some of the island’s most popular tourist destinations. 

Kaman Aerospace is preparing to start flight testing its Kargo UAV logistics vehicle later this year, with the U.S. Marine Corps having contracted it to build a prototype to be used for demonstration and evaluation purposes. The company is marketing the autonomous vehicle as a pilotless alternative to far heavier and more costly piloted helicopters such as the MV-22 Osprey that are currently used to resupply troops.

A lithium-ion battery pack erupted in flames inside a Beta Technologies shipping container at the company’s facilities near Burlington International Airport in Vermont last week. Beta Technologies is working with the local fire department to determine what caused the fire. 

Certification group Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore this week issued an approval in principle (AiP) to Regent Craft covering its in-development wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) sea glider. According to Regent, the approval is a significant milestone in its efforts to complete certification of the 12-passenger, all-electric Viceroy model under maritime regulations.

Jaunt Air Mobility and MintAir are partnering up to bring advanced air mobility services to South Korea. In a letter of intent announced on August 29, MintAir agreed to purchase up to 40 of Jaunt’s Journey eVTOL aircraft. The company will also be Jaunt’s exclusive AAM partner in the region. 

At this week's AAUS Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Melbourne, the Victoria state government issued its Advanced Air Mobility Industry Vision Statement to spell out plans for a wide consultation in 2023 over how new electric aircraft could benefit its communities. During the same event, infrastructure group Skyportz published plans for what it says could be the country's first vertiport in the Melbourne district of Caribbean Park.

Zeva Aero, the company behind the flying saucer-shaped Zero eVTOL that made its inaugural test flight earlier this year, is working on a new prototype aircraft. Called Z2, the new design is expected to be faster, more efficient, and more compact than Zeva’s Zero technology demonstrator, and the U.S. start-up says it is working to add autonomous flight capabilities. 

GKN Aerospace is working on fuel and propulsion systems for hydrogen-powered airliners that could use liquid hydrogen. Its research and development efforts are now being supported by new test equipment in the UK provided by Filton Systems Engineering and Fabrum.

The start-up has agreed to launch its air mobility service with four-passenger Atea eVTOL aircraft being developed by Ascendance Flight Technologies. It is also seeking proposals for other new models, including a two-seat eVTOL vehicle for pilot training and a seven-passenger eCTOL model.