FutureFlight

SkyGrid has added its DeepArmor cybersecurity protection to the AerialOS operating system for autonomous aircraft to protect them from unidentified zero-day hacking threats for which systems suppliers do not have a security patch.

Thirty companies and organizations, including half a dozen eVTOL aircraft developers, will begin extensive trials to prepare for the planned launch in 2024 of commercial air taxi operations in and around the French capital.

Germany's Volocopter says the FAA has accepted its application to concurrently validate its anticipated type certification under EASA's new Special Condition VTOL rules. It is already in talks with prospective U.S. partners and stakeholders.

The French government is investing $8.5 billion to support efforts to use hydrogen in place of carbon-based fuels as part of a national effort to decarbonize and rebuild its economy in the wake of the Covid pandemic. In the U.S., the Vertical Flight Society is forming a hydrogen committee to focus on possibilities for eVTOL aircraft.

Walle says it will start air taxi services in 2026, using Jaunt Air Mobility's five-seat Journey hybrid-electric aircraft. It will focus on short routes of up to around 30 miles, even though the Journey's range is expected to be at least 80 miles.

The only surprise announcement in the aviation sector from this week's Consumer Electronics Show has been a glimpse of a General Motors concept for an all-electric personal air vehicle. Japan's SkyDrive and Pal-V of the Netherlands also participated in the event.

The Vertical Flight Society will hold its 8th annual Electric VTOL Symposium from January 26-28. The group said that investment in new eVTOL aircraft programs is still being made at a rate of around $1 billion per year.

Tom Enders spent more than two decades with European aerospace group Airbus, including almost 12 years as CEO. He brings extensive aviation experience to the board of eVTOL developer Lilium.

UK-based Autonomous Flight has made changes to its eVTOL aircraft design in the belief that it will need at least six seats to be commercially viable in its plan for scheduled shuttle operations.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Archer have announced a partnership that will see the U.S. carmaker provide composite materials and engineering support for the startup's planned four-seat all-electric aircraft.