FutureFlight

Whisper Aero says it will deliver a step-change in noise levels, as well as in weight and safety, for aircraft electric propulsion systems. The start-up has raised $7.5 million in launch funding but is not willing to reveal any significant details about the technology supporting what it refers to as electric thrusters. The venture was founded by three former Uber Elevate executives.

Thirteen companies and one university will participate in the National Campaign testing program to prepare for the integration of eVTOL air taxis and other new types of aircraft into the U.S. national airspace system. The flight-testing phase is due to get underway in 2022 and will include new partners Reliable Robotics and Aura Network Solutions.

Sweden's Heart Aerospace now claims to have commitments for more than 400 of its ES-19 electric regional airliners, with United Airlines and regional affiliate Mesa Airlines getting behind the program with an investment and a provisional order for the 19-seater. From 2026, the aircraft is expected to enter commercial service on routes out of Chicago and San Francisco.

Though flight and passenger volumes for eVTOL air taxi services initially will be very low compared with what we see in the airline and business aircraft sectors, Joby wants to ensure that carbon credits for these operations are available to consumers. It is working with partners JetBlue and Signature Flight Support to establish the basis for this trade.

Beta Technologies announced the appointment of former U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Will Roper to its board, and investment banker Edward Eppler is joining the eVTOL aircraft developer as chief financial officer. The company is expanding the scope of flight trials with its Alia 250 prototype as it works toward FAA Part 23 type certification for the six-seat model in 2024.

The first of the four-seat Cassio 330 aircraft is expected to roll off the production line in the fourth quarter of 2023. VoltAero is also developing six- and 10-seat Cassio 480 and 600 models and plans to produce up to 150 units per year in a purpose-built final assembly line at Rochefort Airport in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France.

Urban Aeronautics is aiming to retain the CityHawk's current projected range, speed, and payload when it replaces the aircraft's current Safran Arriel turboshaft engine with a propulsion system based on HyPoint's new hydrogen fuel cells. The company recently completed the latest round of initial flight trials using the current technology demonstrator and aims to build the first of the new version in 2022.

In May, Kitty Hawk's Heaviside eVTOL aircraft was used for initial evaluation of its potential suitability for military roles such as emergency evacuation. This cleared the way for military airworthiness approval, which will now see the model being operated in more extensive trials with the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime program.

Under the terms of an arrangement to develop eVTOL aircraft pilot training, Volocopter has agreed to buy a simulator developed by CAE, which is to invest $40 million in plans to prepare flight crew for the launch of commercial services. CAE will be deploying artificial intelligence, virtual and mixed reality technology, and data analytics to develop a training program and courseware for new and existing pilots.

During a recent webinar hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), participants debated how soon the urban air mobility sector might be providing transportation alternatives, given issues surrounding certification basis, automation, and training. Participants believe flexibilities in FAA Part 23 rules are enabling technological advancements, but automation will be a slow process, and training must remain in focus.