FutureFlight

At this week's AAUS Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Melbourne, the Victoria state government issued its Advanced Air Mobility Industry Vision Statement to spell out plans for a wide consultation in 2023 over how new electric aircraft could benefit its communities. During the same event, infrastructure group Skyportz published plans for what it says could be the country's first vertiport in the Melbourne district of Caribbean Park.

Zeva Aero, the company behind the flying saucer-shaped Zero eVTOL that made its inaugural test flight earlier this year, is working on a new prototype aircraft. Called Z2, the new design is expected to be faster, more efficient, and more compact than Zeva’s Zero technology demonstrator, and the U.S. start-up says it is working to add autonomous flight capabilities. 

GKN Aerospace is working on fuel and propulsion systems for hydrogen-powered airliners that could use liquid hydrogen. Its research and development efforts are now being supported by new test equipment in the UK provided by Filton Systems Engineering and Fabrum.

The start-up has agreed to launch its air mobility service with four-passenger Atea eVTOL aircraft being developed by Ascendance Flight Technologies. It is also seeking proposals for other new models, including a two-seat eVTOL vehicle for pilot training and a seven-passenger eCTOL model.

A new eVTOL aircraft designed with farmers in mind has successfully performed its first piloted test flights. Ryse Aero Technologies, an Ohio-based company developing advanced air mobility solutions for the agricultural community, says its single-seat Recon eVTOL aircraft has made multiple piloted flights at its Cincinnati facility since June 27. 

As Reliable Robotics achieves another milestone in its plan to equip aircraft with the advanced navigation and autoflight system, the company is closer to achieving its goal of nearly autonomous flight capability. The anticipated FAA approval will, however, require that a pilot be onboard to handle contingencies, but in all other respects, the aircraft will be flown by the advanced autopilot, supplemented by an operator on the ground.

Eve’s first North American UAM simulation will see helicopters used as a substitute for an eVTOL vehicle to study operations, ground services, passenger journeys, and operator needs starting with ground tests on September 12 and passenger flights on September 14.
The study aims to lend knowledge about the infrastructure and ecosystem needed to enable the launch and expected long-term growth of UAM in the Chicago area.

XTI maintains that its TriFan 600 VTOL aircraft will outperform current business jets and helicopters, as well as new eVTOL vehicles. The company, which is looking to raise more funds through a planned merger with the Xeriant group, has determined that it will enter the advanced air mobility market with currently available engines and give electric propulsion technology longer to mature.

Jetoptera, a Washington state-based company developing innovative new VTOL and STOL aircraft concepts using bladeless fan technology, says it is on track to deliver a new prototype to the U.S. Air Force (USAF).  In a letter to investors published last week, it reported that it will be ready to begin demonstration flights in 2025.

Vancouver’s Harbour Air flew its eBeaver prototype on a point-to-point test mission for the first time since its maiden flight in December 2019. Supply-chain delays, however, continue to hinder the program’s progress, as Harbour Air awaits a new motor and battery system to install on the first eBeaver production example.