FutureFlight

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is working with Bremen-based Evia Aero to convert nine-seat Islander aircraft to hydrogen power to enable zero-emission subregional airline services. The UK company's longer-term goal is to develop its fuel-cell-based powertrain for use with larger airliners seating up to 100 passengers.

ZeroAvia is to provide its 600-kW ZA600 hydrogen powertrain for a stretched version of Otto Aviation's diesel-powered Celera 500L. The planned Celera 750L model could have a range of up to 1,000 nm and may be ready to enter service in 2027, two years after the six-seater 500L, which promises a range of 4,500 nm.

French seat manufacturer Expliseat will develop cabin and cockpit seats for the Lilium Jet, with the aim of achieving a 35 percent weight reduction compared with existing aircraft seats. These will feature smaller composite and titanium frames, as well as completely recycled materials to reduce the eVTOL vehicles' overall carbon footprint.

Regional carrier Air Nostrum is set to be the launch customer for Hybrid Air Vehicles' 100-seat airship, called the Airlander 10, with plans to take deliveries of 10 aircraft beginning in 2026. The aircraft, based on a large fabric hull filled with helium to provide lift, is expected to operate on routes of up to around 265 miles and at speeds of 86 mph. It is intended to be able to operate from city-center locations.

South Korea's Hanwha Systems is investing a further $145 million in Overair to increase funds available to bring the six-seat Butterfly eVTOL into commercial service in 2026. The California-based start-up says it is on track to achieve the key program milestone of starting flight tests with a conforming prototype in the second half of 2023.

Air transport information technology specialist SITA is equipping a vertiport testbed set up by Skyports at Cergy-Pontoise Airport near Paris to evaluate how eVTOL air taxi services can be smoothly operated. The partners want to demonstrate how biometric technology could effectively interface with flight booking apps to make boarding aircraft quick and easy.

Ampaire is developing hybrid-electric propulsion systems with which to convert existing aircraft. As part of its wider business goal to expand electrification in aviation, the company is partnering with sustainable infrastructure specialist Black & Veatch to identify airports worldwide that are willing and able to establish green recharging capability using solar power and new energy storage techniques.

Corporacion America Airports is now working with Eve and rival eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace to prepare plans for vertiports in Latin America and Europe. The work will begin with assessments of existing ground infrastructure and the regulatory environment for establishing new facilities in urban areas.

Wisk has forged a partnership with local government leaders in the Australian state of Queensland to pave the way to fully autonomous eVTOL aircraft flights. This builds on similar work underway with stakeholders in New Zealand, where the company has been flight-testing its Cora technology demonstrator.

Universal Hydrogen has drawn a firm order from prospective Massachusetts-based regional carrier Connect Airlines to covert 75 ATR 72-600 regional turboprops to hydrogen power. Connect Airlines, which still awaits U.S. Department of Transportation clearance to fly Dash 8-400s from points between the Northeast and Midwest U.S. cities and Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, would take delivery of the first converted ATR in 2025.