FutureFlight

Azul Conecta, a regional airline in Brazil, has signed a letter of intent with hybrid-electric aircraft developer Ampaire to upgrade up to six of its Cessna Grand Caravans to Eco Caravans. The announcement comes about two months after Ampaire successfully conducted the first flight test of an Eco Caravan, which is a hybrid-electric version of the Cessna 208 Grand Caravan.

GKN is the latest seasoned aerospace group to sign up as a partner to help Lilium develop its six-passenger eVTOL aircraft. The company, which is already supporting Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL program, will jointly develop and integrate the electrical wiring interconnection system for the all-electric vehicle.

Hydrogen fuel cell developer H2Fly plans to establish a Hydrogen Aviation Center at Germany’s Stuttgart Airport. The facility will be used to create hydrogen propulsion systems for airliners and is due to open in late 2024.

Opener, the U.S. start-up behind the BlackFly personal eVTOL aircraft, says it is on track to begin collecting orders from customers this year—but the company isn’t making any promises or setting a firm date just yet. 

Ameriflight has agreed to purchase 20 autonomous freighter aircraft from Natilus. The Dallas-based Part 135 cargo airline says it is eyeing the Natilus Kona, an unpiloted short-haul feeder aircraft, to support its expedited supply-chain services. 

The Vertical Flight Society’s Hydrogen-Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (H2eVTOL) Council has spun off into a new independent nonprofit organization known as the Hysky Society. As an independent 501(c)(3) charitable educational nonprofit, the Hysky society will continue to promote the development of hydrogen-powered eVTOL aircraft, but it "will now have the autonomy and resources to expand its reach and impact, according to VFS.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is investing in sea glider developer Regent Craft as it starts evaluating whether the wing-in-ground-effect vessel might have a place in its fleet. The size of the investment announced on January 26 was not disclosed, but the U.S. start-up said it takes its total funding raised to date to $45 million.

Electra’s plans to bring its eSTOL aircraft to market have received a boost with the U.S. Air Force awarding it up to $85 million to develop a full-scale preproduction example of the hybrid-electric model. The Air Force’s Afwerx innovation unit announced the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) on January 26, with the money to be made available through a mix of private investments, government grants, and matching Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funds.

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.