FutureFlight

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.

Deutsche Aircraft has signed an agreement with H2Fly with the aim of having a hydrogen-powered version of the Dornier 328 twin-turboprop airliner flying by 2025. The company is already working on plans to develop a converted and enlarged version of the 1990s-vintage aircraft that would feature new Pratt & Whitney PW127S engines burning sustainable aviation fuel.

Archer's new chief test pilot and head of flight safety will be directly involved in developing the flight deck for its planned eVTOL aircraft and will select key suppliers. He will also lead a flight test program that is due to start with the Maker technology demonstrator before the end of 2021.

EHang may have its EH216 eVTOL vehicle certified to operate commercially in China by early 2022. However, its European partner FACC acknowledges that a lot more work needs to be done to secure international type certification in key markets such as Europe, where it is supporting EHang in dealings with regulator EASA.

The merger of DG Flugzeugbau's production and EASA Part 21G production organization approval units with Volocopter's manufacturing team is an important step in plans to bring the VoloCity and VoloDrone aircraft into commercial service in 2024. Volocopter is acquiring its long-standing partner for an undisclosed sum.