Bristow Commits To Ordering 100 Chaparral VTOL Freighters from Elroy Air

Houston-based civil helicopter operator Bristow Helicopters has signed a letter of intent with San Francisco-based Elroy Air to preorder 100 units of the autonomous aircraft, which is built for transporting freight. Elroy aims to transform air cargo services with this one-of-a-kind vehicle, which not only flies autonomously but can also drop off and pick up cargo robotically in a matter of minutes.

Dutch Regulators Stop VoltAero's Plans for Hybrid-Electric Cassio Test Flights

VoltAero says Dutch regulators have refused to accept the existing clearance from French authorities for its Cassio 1 hybrid-electric aircraft to be used for test flights. The company says that has forced it to postpone plans to fly the aircraft in the Netherlands. It says aviation safety agencies ought to apply rules governing test flights consistently.

Air One Personal eVTOL Aircraft Achieves First Hover Test

Air has successfully flown the first hover tests of its new personal eVTOL aircraft, Air One, the Israel-based startup announced on July 12.

The full-scale Air One prototype took off above the fields of Megiddo in northern Israel on June 21. It completed several unpiloted hover tests throughout the day and during the following two weeks, in which the aircraft lifted off, hovered, and returned to the ground safely, the company said. 

Bye Aerospace’s eFlyer 2 Makes Progress Toward FAA Approval

Bye Aerospace is nearing the completion of FAA approval for its means of compliance and certification plans for the first of its eFlyer electric aircraft. The company says this puts it on track to have the first all-electric, fixed-wing aircraft to be certified under the FAA’s Part 23 Amendment 64 regulations.

Eve Gathers Urban Air Mobility Expertise At First Advisory Board Meeting

Eve’s first advisory board meeting generated valuable feedback and dialog among customers and partners about several aspects of the urban air mobility market. The event drew more than 20 participants representing fixed-wing and rotorcraft operators, rideshare platforms, and lessors.