FutureFlight

Japanese eVTOL aircraft developer SkyDrive this week said it will enter the U.S. market through joint work with multiple partners in South Carolina to develop uses for its vehicles. The company, which announced the plans during the Vertical Flight Society’s eVTOL Symposium in Mesa, Arizona, will set up a team in Beaufort County to work with local and state officials.

Terra Drone, which already provides drone operations and uncrewed traffic management services in 10 countries, is now establishing a Saudi Arabian division following a $14 million investment by the country's government-owned energy group Aramco. The Japan-based company also intends to support eVTOL aircraft operations through partnerships with vehicle manufacturers and operators.

Moya Aero’s efforts to bring an autonomous eVTOL aircraft to market were boosted this week by a $2 million grant from FINEP, a Brazilian government organization that promotes science, technology, and innovation. The start-up, which is a spin-off from aerospace services group ACS Aviation, aims to start flight testing a technology demonstrator version of its all-electric vehicle in September 2023 as it pursues commercial applications such as cargo deliveries and crop-spraying.

MightyFly this week unveiled its Cento second-generation autonomous eVTOL freighter aircraft, which incorporates improvements on the earlier MF-100 model, including a new pusher propeller to boost range to 600 miles. The California-based start-up is expanding demonstration flights after the FAA issued a special airworthiness certificate and a certificate of authorization (COA) for the hybrid-electric vehicle, which is expected to carry a 100-pound payload.

Private jet charter group Vista Global is the main investor in a Series B funding round for eVTOL aircraft developer Dufour Aerospace. In a January 23 announcement, the Swiss-based start-up confirmed that Vista has joined existing investors and two new backers in providing an undisclosed capital investment in its plans to bring the Aero2 and Aero3 vehicles to market.

Australia's Dovetail Electric Aviation and its European sister company, Dante Aeronautical, are working to convert regional aircraft to use battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems. These plans have been boosted by new government funding.

Skyroads is setting up a flight test site at Augsburg Airport in southern Germany to serve as a development hub for its air traffic automation technology. The Munich-based company will use the facility with its partners to prepare for the integration of new eVTOL aircraft and large drones into controlled airspace, including urban environments.

Vertical Aerospace says it has secured a pre-delivery payment from Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni Corporation for 25 VX4 eVTOL aircraft, making Marubeni Vertical’s first customer in Asia to back its VX4 orders with a down payment.

ZeroAvia has achieved its long-awaited first flight in a Dornier 228 aircraft featuring its hydrogen-electric propulsion system. The fuel-cell-based ZA600 powertrain has been installed on the 19-seat airliner’s left wing in place of one of its two Honeywell TPE-331 turboprop engines.

NASA and Boeing are joining forces to develop a narrowbody airliner concept featuring a distinctive high-aspect-ratio wing and other aerodynamic innovations, as well as new materials and propulsion technology. NASA is shouldering $425 million of the costs for the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project, with Boeing and other companies also investing in plans to start test flights in 2028.