FutureFlight

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.

Two leading eVTOL aircraft developers, Wisk Aero and Lilium, have announced changes to their senior leadership teams. The moves come at the start of a year that industry observers say could prove critical to the ability of the advanced air mobility sector’s front-runners to meet their ambitious timelines. Both companies are seeking to bring products to market at a time when accessing new sources of funding could be more challenging.

New Future Transportation (NFT), the company behind the Aska personal eVTOL aircraft billed as a “flying SUV,” now says it plans to start offering on-demand air taxi services as early as 2026. However, recently announced plans are based on arrangements that would appear to stretch the current regulatory requirements for commercial flights by building on current practices in the ground-based ride-sharing sector.