FutureFlight

The UK's FlyZero has drawn heavily on aircraft engines maker Rolls-Royce and airframing group Airbus in filling management positions for its program to advance plans for carbon-free commercial air services by 2030. The program has government funding through the Aerospace Technology Institute.

Supersonic aircraft developers such as Boom and Aerion may now find it easier to get the special flight authorizations they need to test new aircraft at speeds in excess of Mach 1. But it doesn't mean supersonic flights will be routinely permitted over land.

U.S.-based Hatzolah Air has signed an agreement with Urban Aeronautics to be the sales representative and distributor for Urban Aeronautics' CityHawk VTOL aircraft in the global emergency medical services market.

Lilium is further bolstering its senior management team as it aims to meet its objective of beginning commercial operations with its five-seat eVTOL aircraft in 2025. Alastair McIntosh's experience as an EASA-approved accountable manager will be significant.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has needed more time to finalize the means of compliance for the Special Condition VTOL rules that will apply for the type certification of many eVTOL aircraft. It expects to publish these, as well as means of compliance for certifying hybrid and electric propulsion systems, in early 2021.

French aerospace technology innovator Conseil et Technique is making the case for a radical rethink for the configuration of airliner propulsion systems with its all-electric Integrated Propeller Plane concept.

The FAA's long-awaited Remote Identification rule for unmanned aircraft is viewed as an important benchmark for the operation of autonomous aircraft in public airspace. On the same day, the agency cleared the way for small drone flights at night and over people.

Through a partnership with Greenland Hong Kong, EHang will initially offer aerial sightseeing services to passengers initially from a base in the Forest Lake real estate project in the city of Zhaoqing in China's Guangdong province. The Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer also has welcomed the country's new standards for express delivery services using unmanned aircraft.

Over the 12 months since aircraft engines group Rolls-Royce completed its acquisition of the Siemens eAircraft business, the company has been determining how best to advance and apply its electric- and hybrid-propulsion technology. Smaller regional airliners would appear to be the priority in development work backed by UK government funding.

Further support from the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime program has boosted California-based start-up Elroy Air in its goal of having the hybrid-electric Chaparral cargo transport ready to begin autonomous commercial operations in 2023.