FutureFlight

Europe's air safety regulator, EASA, has said it will concurrently validate the anticipated UK Civil Aviation Authority type certificate for Vertical's VX4 eVTOL model. The company expects to receive its Design Organization Approval later this year and also start flight testing a full-scale prototype.

In a move that appears to have been instigated by Archer's board of directors, the eVTOL aircraft pioneer's co-founder, Brett Adcock, is stepping down as co-CEO, leaving Adam Goldstein in overall command of the start-up. The company says it will be prepared to start commercial air taxi services in 2024 but will not have a production-conforming version of its four-passenger vehicle ready to fly until 2023.

Beta Technologies has raised $375 million in a round of private financing led by TPG Rise Climate, the dedicated climate investing strategy of TPG’s global impact investing platform TPG Rise, and Fidelity Management & Research Company. The Vermont-based electric aerospace company plans to use the funds to support the advancement of its integrated electric aviation system, including its zero emissions aircraft, electric propulsion systems, and its nationwide multimodal charging infrastructure.

France-based Thales will help to develop avionics for the Eve aircraft, as well as flight controls, electrical systems, and capability in navigation, communications, and connectivity. Since January 2022, Eve and Thales have been working on a series of studies to assess the technical and economic feasibility of an all-electric aircraft, and this process will continue for the rest of 2022.

Salisbury Ocean City Wicomico County Airport has established an Autonomous Innovation Center and is looking to attract companies developing and operating uncrewed air vehicles. The airport's management says that its ability to designate local airspace for specific use by UAVs gives it a distinct advantage that could result in current piloted aircraft being replaced by autonomous operations.

H2Fly set an altitude record for a hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft by taking the HY4 demonstrator to 7,230 feet, a day after a 77-mile journey between Stuttgart and Friedrichshafen on April 12 marked the first time anyone piloted such an aircraft between two major airports.

Odys Aviation will relocate from Burbank to Long Beach, California, as it accelerates development of its hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft project with $18 million in total funding. The company said its new proximity to other entities within the aerospace industry will help cement its position as a major player among the local community of aerospace startups.

A letter of intent between Eviation and Cape Air covering the purchase of 75 fixed-wing Alice electric aircraft comes amid questions about the timing of the new design’s first flight. Last scheduled for January, the first flight would support certification in 2024.

Volocopter is one of five eVTOL aircraft developers among the 30 partners involved in the Re.Invent Air Mobility Challenge that is preparing to launch air taxi services when the French capital hosts the 2024 Olympic Games. The exercise could be a key test of public acceptance of eVTOL aircraft in urban areas, and noise levels will be a big part of that equation.

Embraer's eVTOL aircraft subsidiary Eve is set to complete its merger with special purpose acquisition company Zanite on May 9, leading to a New York Stock Exchange listing. The deal is expected to raise well over $500 million in new capital to support Eve's plans to bring its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft into service in 2026.