FutureFlight

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.

Xwing has established a Part 135 commercial cargo operation to support the development of its Autoflight system. The company aims to be ready to operate aircraft like the Cessna Grand Caravan in autonomous freight delivery services by 2022.

Airservices Australia and EmbraerX spinoff Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions provided more details about their collaboration on developing urban air mobility (UAM) services in Melbourne Australia, as outlined in their recently released concept of operations (CONOPS) for the UAM market. Melbourne offers unique air traffic challenges but is also one of the world’s cities, like Sao Paulo, Brazil, where high levels of helicopter traffic provide a framework for UAM operations.

Aeristech is building a new electric motor development and test facility in the UK, having just been awarded £2.7 million in funding from the government-backed Aerospace Technology Institute.

Europe's Modular Approach to Hybrid Electric Propulsion Architecture consortium has brought together academics and private ventures like Slovenian light aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel and German hydrogen storage specialist H2FLy.

Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti has brought together the Californian city's Department of Transportation and Urban Movement Labs to advance plans through the new Urban Air Mobility Partnership. The group has been given a year to come up with "a policy toolkit" to establish the infrastructure required for eVTOL air taxi services.

Hybrid-electric propulsion specialist VerdeGo is helping Jaunt Air Mobility expand the range of its planned eVTOL aircraft family. Its diesel-based generator will be able to run on standard Jet-A fuel, but with 40 percent lower consumption and carbon dioxide emissions than existing turbine aircraft.

Faradair is looking to bring the hybrid-electric fixed-wing BEHA aircraft family to market in 2026. Initially, it will own and operate a fleet of around 300 aircraft in a variety of roles including passenger/cargo and firefighting operations.

Work done by the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility consortium will accelerate the country's move to zero-emissions flight operations, with a goal of achieving significant AAM passenger and cargo flights in the next 20 years.

Through a Series A funding round, hydrogen-electric propulsion innovator ZeroAvia has raised an additional $21.4 million in capital supported by venture capitalists including Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The UK government's Aerospace Technology Institute has given a further $16.3 million in grants.