FutureFlight

Embraer's Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions subsidiary has expanded its partnership with vertiports developer Skyports to prepare for the integration of eVTOL aircraft flight operations, air traffic management, and ground infrastructure in anticipated urban air mobility markets in Asia and the Americas. Based on an early-concept graphic released by the partners, Dallas could be one of the early-adopter locations.

Varon Vehicles' plans for urban air mobility are expected to come to fruition first in Colombia, where the company is headquartered. Under a new agreement, it will now receive support from GE Digital in areas such as software analytics needed to develop the capability for airspace efficiency, safety and predictive maintenance for eVTOL aircraft.

MagniX says it is on track to complete FAA certification of its family of electric propulsion units under Part 33 rules. In addition to the existing 500 kW Magni500 EPU, which has already flown on electrified versions of the Cessna Grand Caravan and the DHC-2 Beaver, the company also now offers the Magni350 and Magni650 units.

Teams from Liebherr-Aerospace and U.S. carmaker GM will work together at the European aviation group's laboratory in Toulouse, France, to develop a hydrogen fuel cell technology demonstrator. The partners seek to support plans to convert commercial airliners to hydrogen propulsion, such as those being advanced by Airbus through its Zero E program.

SAE International's E-40 committee on electrified propulsion is working on guidance to help the rapidly developing electric aviation sector to demonstrate the safe operations of new motors under all operational limits and assess the duration of their service life. The ARP8689 document is set to be published by the end of 2021 and will include details on proposed test procedures.

Former Airbus CEO and designated Lilium board chairman Thomas Enders told analysts that Honeywell Aerospace, Palantir, Lufthansa Flight Training and Ferrovial will play a critical role in bringing the seven-seat Lilium Jet into commercial service by 2024. The German company is expected to complete its planned merger with special purpose acquisition company Qell by the end of June, raising around $830 million in the process.

Regent Craft aims to have larger version of its planned electric sea glider ready to enter service with Brittany Ferries from 2028. This would carry between 50 to 150 passengers, which is significantly larger than the 12-seat version it currently has in development. The operator says the sea glider could travel six times faster than a conventional ferry, with speeds of up to 180 mph.

XTI Aircraft says it has sales commitments for 202 of the TriFan 600 fixed-wing aircraft, which will carry up to nine passengers on flights of 750 miles or more. It has signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement with Xeriant Aerospace, a holding company that already owns small eVTOL developer Halo Aircraft.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America. is encouraging local communities and their airports to engage with companies advancing sustainability and emerging technology for the industry as a why to reinvent themselves and stimulate prosperity. Arlington in Washington state is a classic case in point, having recently attracted Eviation to relocate its program to develop a nine-passenger electric aircraft called Alice to the town's general aviation airport.

Through a partnership between the New Zealand government and the Maori communities of Te Taumutu and Wairewa, almost 2,500 acres of land are available for aerospace development work on the Kaitorete Spit. The site, which is an area of ecological importance with protected conservation status, is close to the city of Christchurch on New Zealand's south island. Among aerospace firms being encouraged to consider using the site are eVTOL aircraft developers and space enterprises.