FutureFlight

Chicago’s metropolitan sprawl got a taste of what an urban air mobility (UAM) future could look like during a two-week simulation exercise in which helicopters were used in place of eVTOL aircraft. According to Eve, the Brazil-based company working to bring a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft into commercial service in 2026, the flights carrying fare-paying passengers were used to gather real-world experience that will lead to a concept of operations for the U.S. city.

Based on work conducted with its earlier SD-03 technology demonstrator, Japan's SkyDrive has designed its SD-05 production eVTOL aircraft and aims to get it to market in 2025, following the start of flight testing in 2024. The two-seater will be able to fly only 10 kiloeters on a single charge, but the company says it will fill an urgent need for "last mile" transportation in busy and geographically challenged cities.

Vertical Aerospace has started the flight test campaign for its VX4 eVTOL aircraft and now says it hopes to complete concurrent type certification in 2025. The piloted flight tests require a permit from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, which is expected to certify the all-electric aircraft concurrently with Europe's EASA aviation safety agency.

Asia stands to offer the biggest opportunities for advanced air mobility companies, according to Vertical Aerospace president Michael Cervenka, who urged industry and regulators in the U.S. and Europe to collaborate

The third in an ongoing series of flight testing as part of Europe's CORUS-XUAM uncrewed traffic management concept of operations project evaluated what happens when flight plans have to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Volocopter's 2X eVTOL vehicle and the Boreal UAS drone used an uncrewed traffic management system, while Pipistrel's Velis Electro aircraft used the local air traffic management system at the Paris-area Pontoise airfield.

Congressional leaders expect are eying a range of issues for the FAA reauthorization bill that will be in the works next year that includes "clear direction" for the FAA to make sure the proper resources are dedicated to the advanced air mobility industry.

FAA's shift of certification rules for advanced air mobility vehicles opened the door to other concerns, including operational and training requirements as well as international validations. However, the agency is working toward the release of a special federal aviation regulation by 2024.

Kittyhawk was launched in 2010 and has worked on several eVTOL aircraft designs and technologies, including most recently the Heaviside autonomous vehicle. The company jointly owns Wisk Aero with Boeing and has been involved in its plans to bring a four-passenger eVTOL air taxi to market.

The Boeing-backed autonomous eVTOL developer Wisk has released a concept of operations that provides a roadmap for the adoption of an urban air mobility ecosystem with pilotless air taxis. 

The Brazilian on-demand charter flight broker Flapper has entered into an agreement with the hypersonic, hydrogen-powered aircraft developer Destinus to open high-speed cargo delivery flight routes in Latin America and Europe. It may also look into the potential for passenger services.