FutureFlight

EASA has issued two sets of Environmental Protection Technical Specifications to signal its intention to be the driving force for noise regulation for eVTOL aircraft. These cover aircraft powered by both non-tilting and tilting rotors, with the agency saying the noise limits for approach, takeoff, and overflight are the same for both categories.

Miami-based start-up UrbanX signed a memorandum of understanding with Eve Air Mobility to develop plans for air taxi services in South Florida that could launch in 2026. Meanwhile, Brazilian regulators are seeking input on proposals for the special airworthiness criteria they intend to use for the type certification of the manufacturer's four-passenger eVTOL, which is expected to make a first test flight in 2024.

Ampaire has set what it believes is a new record for flight endurance with a hybrid-electric aircraft. On Tuesday, the company reported that its Electric EEL technology demonstrator aircraft had flown for exactly 12 hours on December 10 from Camarillo, California, landing with over two hours of fuel and battery reserves remaining.

Boeing Adds 'Insights' to Cascade Climate Impact Modeling Tool

AIBot has emerged from stealth mode with plans to introduce a seven-seat eVTOL aircraft with highly automated flight controls powered by artificial intelligence (AI). While AIBot is not yet ready to share many details about the design of its AI-powered eVTOL aircraft, the company revealed last month that it will use Honeywell’s compact fly-by-wire flight control system. Having recently received a $15 million award from the California Competes grant program, it is preparing to launch a funding round in January, AIBot chief engineer John Clarkson told AIN.

Maeve Aerospace is working to bring an 80-seat hybrid-electric aircraft to market by 2031, having abandoned plans announced earlier this year for a 44-passenger all-electric regional airliner. The European start-up is in discussions with an undisclosed major aircraft engine manufacturer over plans for the propulsion system and expects to be able to deliver a range of up to 800 nm and significant savings in terms of airline operating costs.

Reliable Robotics has flown a small cargo airplane with no humans on board for the first time, marking a significant milestone for autonomous aviation. The uncrewed flight test, which Reliable Robotics announced on December 6, took place at Hollister Municipal Airport in California on the morning of November 21. 

Rotor Technologies has unveiled the R550X autonomous helicopter that it intends to bring to market in 2024. Built on the foundation of the Robinson R44 Raven II, the R550X is the world’s largest uncrewed civilian helicopter, designed for safety-critical cargo, utility, and maritime operations that require a greater payload capacity and range than drones or eVTOLs can provide. 

At its headquarters near Munich, Lilium has started assembling the first example of its six-passenger Lilium Jet, which will be one of seven aircraft to be used for type certification flight testing in late 2024. The manufacturer this week launched a partnership with German airline Lufthansa to explore eVTOL operations in Europe.

EcoPulse Hybrid-electric Technology Demonstrator Makes First Flight

EcoPulse, the hybrid-electric technology demonstrator aircraft being jointly developed by Daher, Safran, and Airbus, has started its flight-test campaign. On December 5, the partners announced that the first flight happened on November 29, with the converted Daher TBM 910 taking off from Tarbes Airport in the southwest of France for a 100-minute sortie.