Hyundai Recruits Opener's Ben Diachun to Lead eVTOL Aircraft Development
South Korean automotive group Hyundai chose Ben Diachun as chief technology officer for its U.S-based Urban Air Mobility Division for his extensive experience in developing new aircraft with Opener and Scaled Composites. His team are aiming to get a prototype of the SA-1 eVTOL aircraft ready to start flight testing in 2023, en route to a goal of completing type certification for the four-seater model in 2028.
Archer Commits to Launching eVTOL Air Taxi Services in Los Angeles
California-based Archer is one of several eVTOL aircraft developers eyeing Los Angeles as a likely launch location for urban air mobility services. Uber's Elevate platform also called for services to start there from 2023, and Elevate's new owner, Joby Aviation, may continue this plan. Meanwhile, Hyundai, which last year launched an eVTOL aircraft development program, is already part of the Los Angeles Urban Air Mobility Partnership.
For the Covid-battered Aerospace Sector, new eVTOL Partners Offer a Chance to Diversify
Spain's Aciturri group has been making aerostructures for civil and military aircraft for more than three decades, and aero-engine components since it was formed back in 1977. The company, which supports major airliner manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer, is now a risk-sharing partner with Lilium for its new eVTOL aircraft. The companies are working to a goal of being ready to start full production by the end of 2024.
Terrafugia Owner Moves Transition Flying Car Program to China
Terrafugia parent company appears to have abandoned plans to market the Transition flying car in the U.S. market, despite having just received an FAA light-sport airworthiness certificate. Also unclear is whether Zhejiang Geely intends to advance earlier plans to develop the TF-2A eVTOL aircraft, but on February 24 the CEO of its Aerofugia subsidiary mentioned plans for a joint venture with German eVTOL developer Volocopter, in which it is also an investor.
Lilium Eyes Production Phase, Choosing Aciturri as Aerostructures Supplier
Spanish tier-one supplier Aciturri will have comprehensive responsibility for manufacturing all the main composite structures for the Lilium Jet eVTOL, which is due to begin production around the end of 2024. It faces a tight schedule to support Lilium in sticking to its program timeline while assuring safety and quality.
Honeywell's Simplified Flight Deck Could Fast-track eVTOL Pilot Training
Honeywell believes it should be no harder for a pilot to start flying a new eVTOL aircraft than it is for a driver to jump into the seat of an unfamiliar rental car. By reducing the amount of data shown on flight displays, it wants to make flight training easier and smooth the path to automation and eventually autonomous operations. The group also has plans to offer new safety and propulsion technology for the advanced air mobility sector.
EHang Fires Off Further Rebuttals in Investor Relations War with Wolfpack
In a succession of public statements, Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer EHang is pushing back against a litany of accusations made against it by short-seller Wolfpack Research. The company is denying Wolfpack's claims that it lacks the financial or technical foundation to bring aircraft to market, and that it may have connived with a shareholder to misrepresent the degree of commercial support for its EH216 product.
Astro Aerospace Agrees to Buy eVTOL Developer Horizon Aircraft
Canada-based Horizon Aircraft is developed a five-passenger eVTOL called the Cavorite X5 that features distinctive ducted fans in its wing and canard. It is unclear how this program may dovetail with Texas-based Astro's existing Elroy and Alta eVTOL developments. The combined group is seeking further investment to bring its aircraft to market.
U.S. Air Force AFWERX Taps Jaunt to Lead eVTOL Noise Research
Jaunt Air Mobility is teaming with Penn State University and Continuum Dynamics to assess how much noise eVTOL aircraft will generate and how this might be mitigated to ensure that they are significantly quieter than today's helicopters. The partners will use advanced acoustical-analysis techniques and flight-simulation software to model the performance of Jaunt's in-development Journey aircraft.
Flight Marketplace Surf Air Mobility Set to Acquire Electric Aviation Pioneer Ampaire
Surf Air Mobility is paying more than $100 million to acquire Ampaire, which it views as offering a fast-track to bringing hybrid-electric aircraft into commercial service by 2024. Ampaire's business plan calls for it to convert a variety of existing turboprop aircraft seating between nine and 19 passengers and able to operate on routes of up to 500 miles.