FutureFlight

Half a dozen new NASA research and development contracts worth almost $20 million will support work by GE Aviation and Pratt & Whitney. The work will focus on four areas: advanced high-pressure compressors; advanced high-pressure turbine aerodynamics; development of ceramic matrix composite liners for combustors; and development of CMCs and environmental barrier coatings for turbine blades and vanes.

Ferrovial and Vertical Aerospace intend to build 25 vertiports and locations across the UK to support air taxi operations using the UK start-up's four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. Virgin Atlantic Airways, which intends to buy between 50 and 150 of the all-electric vehicles, plans to launch scheduled domestic services in the UK that could include connections to London Heathrow Airport.

Skyryse is working to certify the FlightOS automation system with general aviation manufacturers, including helicopter maker Robinson. With further funding from venture capital groups, the California-based start-up has now raised $250 million.

Reliable Robotics recently raised $100 million in a funding round that gives a significant boost to the Mountain View, California company’s efforts to develop automatic systems that will make flying safer and eventually remove pilots from the flight deck. Pilots will still be involved in the operation of the aircraft, initially Cessna Caravan single-engine turboprops, but they will be based on the ground and will simply be available to assist when needed.

This week, Volocopter displayed its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft in Rome as part of an effort to win public acceptance for urban air mobility. Italy's civil aviation authority and air traffic management agency are supporting the aims of a partnership that brings the German start-up together with Atlantia, which is one of its investors, and airports group Aeroporti di Roma.

Eve Urban Air Mobility is working with multiple partners, including prospective customers Helisul Aviation and Flapper, to test the viability and public acceptance of flights in its four-passenger eVTOL aircraft. An initial trial in Rio de Janeiro will use chartered helicopters.

Airport operators in Rome, Venice, Bologna, and Nice have launched a project dedicated to the development of urban air mobility infrastructure at the international level called Urban Blue.

Having shelved plans to bring its SpaceJet M90 regional airliner to market, Mitsubishi is focused on offering a zero-carbon version of regional airliners, like the former CRJ twinjet. ZeroAvia's plans to certify its hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for commercial airlines also received backing this week from Alaska Air.

Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the launch customers for Vertical Aerospace's VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft, has expressed an interest in operating flights in and out of Heathrow Airport as part of a planned new all-electric, short-haul network of domestic flights in the UK. The airport is partnering with the manufacturer to understand how to integrate the new aircraft.

According to Helipass, sightseeing flights are likely to be among the first main use cases for new eVTOL aircraft, as well as city to airport transfer services. The company is urging all prospective eVTOL manufacturers to make their aircraft available to as many operators and other partners as possible in a bid ot stimulate rapid growth.