FutureFlight

Electra says it now has sales commitments for 1,000 of its eSTOL aircraft, with charter operator Welojets signing a letter of intent for 32 units during the NBAA-BACE business aviation trade show. The nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft is expected to be able to operate from runways as short as 300 feet and with a range of up to around 400 nm.

Hyundai Motor Group's advanced air mobility division Supernal this week appointed two key suppliers for its eVTOL aircraft program. Honeywell Aerospace will supply its new Anthem integrated flight deck for the five-seat vehicle and BAE Systems is developing a fly-by-wire flight control system.

JetBlue Airways’ investments in early-stage companies through its JetBlue Ventures division reflect a willingness to commit financial resources to a wide range of eco-conscious enterprises. Although it doesn't limit its investments to technology companies, JetBlue Ventures professes a commitment to sustainability remains as a core value, evidenced by its stakes in companies such as eVTOL developer Joby, Universal Hydrogen, and, most recently, battery pack developer Electric Power Systems.

Hyundai's advanced air mobility division Supernal says Honeywell's new Anthem integrated flight deck will support it's eVTOL aircraft's need for high levels of connectivity as well as the transition to simplified vehicle operations. Rival eVTOL developers Lilium and Vertical Aerospace are also using the technology.

California-based Sabrewing is now building its first full-scale prototype of the uncrewed, hybrid-electric Rhaegal B cargo aircraft with the aim of making the first deliveries in December 2023. With the promise of low operating costs, prospective customers, including a company that flies for the United Nations World Health/World Food program, have signed up for 128 aircraft.

Portuguese regional airline Sevenair has signed a letter of intent covering up to six Heart Aerospace electric ES-30s. With the expression of interest from Sevenair, Heart Aerospace has collected commitments for the purchase 230 ES-30s, options for 100, and LOIs for a further 99 of the regional airplanes. The extended-range version of the ES-30 could cover all of the airline’s seven routes in Portugal.

Archer Aviation has set the date for the grand unveiling of its first Midnight eVTOL aircraft. The California-based start-up says it will reveal the initial production version of Midnight during a special event at its Palo Alto facility on November 16. 

While working on its own four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, Eve Air Mobility wants to also position itself as a provider of technology, including urban air traffic management software. It is partnering with Skyway Technology, which is already supporting drone operations and wants to introduce navigation services for vertiports.

NASA and autonomous flight pioneer Xwing have signed a Space Act Agreement to explore safety cases in support of increasingly autonomous aircraft operations in the National Airspace System.

Jetstream Aviation Capital has committed to providing $450 million to help Surf Air Mobility develop a supplemental type certificate for hybrid and fully electric powertrains in partnership with MagniX and AeroTec. Jetstream also plans to buy up to 250 hybrid and fully electric powertrains from Surf Air.