FutureFlight

The new Airbus Scale innovation hub will seek to nurture new technology initiatives both from among its own employees and with external start-ups. It will complement the roles already played by the aerospace group's Acubed, Airbus China Innovation Centre, and Airbus UpNext business units, promoting both "intrapreneurship" and possible new spin-off ventures.

MTU Aero Engines is working with the government-backed DLR German Aerospace Center to develop a fuel cell powertrain technology demonstrator using a 19-seat Dorner 228. Now, EASA has asked the company to collaborate in developing standards, requirements, and processes for achieving type certification for the equipment, which is expected to form the basis for hydrogen-powered airliners.

Concerns over type certification complexity as well as input from prospective customers were behind Eviation's decision to move the propellers of its all-electric Alice aircraft from the wingtips to the tail. The company, which is targeting passenger and freight applications for the all-electric aircraft from 2024, says the new configuration will result in greater stability and enhanced fly-by-wire performance, while also delivering more power from its larger propellers.

Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, which includes the country's Civil Aviation Bureau, formally accepted SkyDrive's type certification application for the SD-03. The company, which has raised more than $50 million in funding from multiple investors, has now acknowledged that it could take up to two years longer than originally planned to get approval for deliveries of the single-seat eVTOL to begin.

ZeroAvia and its Dutch partners are in talks with airlines that might be prepared to start operating a hydrogen-powered 19-seat regional airliner on scheduled services connecting Rotterdam and London. The propulsion pioneer expects to start test flights with a converted Dornier 228 aircraft before the end of 2021.

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.