FutureFlight

In April 2021, EASA launched a public consultation over proposed guidance for early-stage machine learning applications, based on joint research conducted with Swiss-based Daedalean. The European aviation safety agency's roadmap envisages various phases of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology being rolled out between now and 2035.

Honeywell believes that its alliance with Japanese automotive technology group Denso could strengthen its plans to support developers of eVTOL aircraft for missions such as air taxi and freight services. The partners say they expect to deliver electric propulsion systems that could support flight testing of new vehicles by around mid-2022. Denso is based in Tokyo and has a significant U.S. operation in Michigan.

Pipistrel is leaning toward a hydrogen propulsion system for the Miniliner family of aircraft, which would carry a pilot and up to 19 passengers on trips of up to around 625 miles. The aircraft would be able to land and take off in less than 2,600 feet, opening up a large number of smaller airfields to regional airline service for the first time.

UK-based advanced air mobility infrastructure developer Skyports has been active in the Japanese market since 2020, and recently formalized its local partnership with Kanematsu. Now the Osaka Prefecture has asked it to join a partnership providing support for the Osaka Prefecture Super City's "Green Table" initiative. It will establish a vertiport to support eVTOL flights during the Osaka-Kansai World Expo event in 2025.

From 2024, Germany's Lilium aims to launch commercial services that it defines as "airline" operations across Europe. It has selected Luxaviation to operate these, taking responsibility for securing all approvals and managing pilots who will be trained by Lufthansa. The seven-seat Lilium Jet will operate on routes of up to around 155 miles, with the manufacturer also planning to develop a service network in Florida.

The U.S. District Court in San Francisco is set to hear Wisk's lawsuit against Archer on July 7, but the plaintiff's legal team wants a preliminary injunction prohibiting the defendant from using or disclosing what it says are trade secrets associated with the design for a new eVTOL aircraft. Archer, which has recruited members of Wisk's engineering team, denies the allegations, arguing that it developed the design independently. Meanwhile, the FBI and Department of Justice are pursuing a criminal investigation into the alleged actions of a former Wisk employee who joined Archer.

Vertical Aerospace is expected to market its five-seat eVTOL aircraft to commercial operators for applications including air taxi services and emergency medical support. Flight testing with a full-scale prototype is set to begin before the end of 2021, and the program is backed by prominent aerospace industry partners, including Rolls-Royce, Honeywell, and Solvay.

Aerospace and defense group Thales is concentrating its expertise on safely supporting operations by autonomous aircraft alongside piloted machines in non-segregated airspace. Much of the early groundwork for larger eVTOL aircraft operations anticipated for the advanced air mobility sector is being conducted with smaller unmanned air systems, with which the France-based group is already actively engaged.

Fidelity Management & Research Company and Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund are the latest financial backers of eVTOL aircraft developer Beta Technologies. The Vermont-based company is also supported by early purchase commitments from customers including UPS, United Therapeutics, and operators associated with the Blade Urban Air Mobility network.

Volocopter says it will start commercial operations with the four-seat, all-electric VoloConnect aircraft in 2026. The new model will have sufficient range for intercity flights that cannot be served by the smaller VoloCity aircraft. The company says it will seek further investment to support work to bring the new aircraft to market.