FutureFlight

Today’s burgeoning advanced air mobility (AAM) market has spawned dozens of companies around the world racing to develop eVTOL air taxis, with plans calling for fleets of the novel aircraft to transport passengers as early as 2024. But to make the dream of AAM a reality, those fleets of eVTOL aircraft will need dedicated places to take off and land, and most communities lack the needed infrastructure.

Ampaire reported its receipt of a firm order for 25 Eco Caravans from sustainable aircraft financier Monte, along with options covering another 25 of the hybrid-electric airplanes. The deal codifies what Ampaire calls the parties’ “preferred partner” relationship.

Bell has brought its Autonomous Pod Transport eVTOL this week to the 2022 Air Medical Transport Conference in Tampa, Florida. The company has been flying the aircraft for several years and aims for a production version that will deliver 100 pounds, 100 miles, at 100 knots per hour.

An MOU signed on Wednesday during the sixth edition of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh calls for an eventual purchase of 100 Lilium eVTOL aircraft and the development of seamless feeder connections to Saudi Arabian Airlines hubs.

AeroDelft, a student-run team of engineers at the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, has partnered with Airbus on its work to build hydrogen-powered aircraft.

MagniX, a developer of electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for zero-emission aviation, plans to add hydrogen fuel cells to its product portfolio. The hydrogen fuel cells will complement MagniX's electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

Since acquiring European aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel, Textron's new eAviation division has been stepping up its plans to build a portfolio of new electric and autonomous aircraft. The company now says the Nexus eVTOL being developed by its Bell division has been redesigned and is a priority program.

In partnership with Seattle-based Aerotec, Universal Hydrogen readies for first flight of a Dash 8-300 fitted with a hydrogen-fuel-cell-based powertrain.

New German regional airline Evia Aero has committed to ordering 25 all-electric Alice commuter airplanes from electric aircraft developer Eviation. A prototype of the nine-passenger model made its first test flight on September 27.

AFI KLM E&M and Ampaire anticipate the development of training for a worldwide network of ground engineers, potential component pooling, and operational data analysis to support the introduction of a hybrid-electric 19-passenger regional aircraft. The partnership could also support plans to develop all-electric aircraft.