FutureFlight

Archer Aviation and composites specialist Hexcel have signed a letter of intent calling for Hexcel to provide carbon fiber material for use in Archer’s eVTOL production aircraft. Later this year, California-based Archer plans to unveil a full-size pre-production version of its planned four-passenger eVTOL aircraft, which remains in its preliminary design stage. Under the proposed relationship terms, Hexcel would provide Archer with carbon fiber and resin systems, also known as prepreg, needed to fabricate composite parts.

Safran Electrical & Power will supply the propulsion system for Aura Aero’s Integral E flight demonstrator and collaborate on the power architecture for the planned 19-seat Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). Studies on the ERA will center on the high direct voltage propulsive architecture to deliver the power needed for the electric engines. The work will also include the “nonpropulsive” electrical architecture used to power the aircraft’s other systems.

Former Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu and technology investor Mitch Gerber are making undisclosed investments in Jaunt Air Mobility and joining the eVTOL aircraft developer's group of advisors. The U.S.-headquartered start-up is establishing development and manufacturing facilities in the Montreal area.

Piasecki Aircraft aims to build and fly a full-scale prototype of its hydrogen-powered PA-890 helicopter in 2023. Before then, it will evaluate the high-temperature fuel cell technology provided by its partner HyPoint in an existing helicopter and will conduct extensive ground testing of the technology to be used.

The American Composite Manufacturers Association is holding a series of webinars to provide expert guidance on how composite materials can best be used for new aerospace applications such as eVTOL aircraft and vertiports. The Advanced Air Mobility Composite Technology Days will be held during April and are free to participants.

Spirit AeroSystems' factory at Belfast in Northern Ireland is already committed to designing and building wings for Airbus's planned CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft, and now it is to support EAG's efforts to bring a 90-seat hydrogen-powered regional airliner to market.

A new partnership between global commercial aircraft and helicopter specialists Blueberry Aviation and Swiss eVTOL developer Dufour Aerospace calls for Blueberry to provide marketing and placement support for Dufour hybrid-electric tiltwing aircraft. The agreement would also see Blueberry acquire 100 Aero2 and Aero3 vehicles and arrange helicopter trade-in deals, as well as establishing financial tools to fund or lease Dufour products.

ZeroAvia's new partnership with renewable power group Zev Station is focused on developing hydrogen refueling infrastructure across a network of California airports. It builds on similar work already underway in Europe, where ZeroAvia intends to support commercial regional airline flights starting in 2024.

Australia-based eVTOL aircraft start-up AMSL Aero is the latest company to joined the country's Greenbird advanced air mobility consortium. The group is combining the forces of its eight member organizations to make progress through a joint industry-government strategy to exploit the advantages of new aviation technology in this vast country.

Lilium has informed investors and suppliers that it has pushed back its goal of completing type certification from 2024 into 2025 after reviewing the current status of design activity, holding discussions with regulators, and accounting for supply chain disruption. The company now says it will build and start flying the first production-conforming versions of the seven-seat Lilium Jet in 2023, and will then need another 15 to 18 months to earn EASA type certification.