FutureFlight

Advocates for urban air mobility say that public support for eVTOL aircraft operations would be boosted by emergency response applications that demonstrate public benefit.

Electric aircraft developer EHang has chosen the Chinese city of Yunfu as the location for the main factory to build its Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAVs). The China-based group said the facility will have an initial capacity to build 600 eVTOL aircraft each year, but in a July 30 statement did not reveal when production will begin.

EASA is partnering with artificial intelligence specialist Daedalean to conduct more detailed research into the safe use of neural networks in aircraft systems. This is part of a process for developing the basis on which artificial intelligence and machine learning can be certified for use on autonomous aircraft.

Bye Aerospace is promising significant savings in operating costs for its electric-powered eFlyers, as well as big cuts in carbon dioxide emissions compared with gasoline-powered aircraft. First deliveries are expected in 2021.

Switzerland's Dufour Aerospace has completed flight testing of a technology demonstrator for its planned Aero 2 and 3 eVTOL aircraft. It remains unclear what the next steps might be for a program that promises more advanced eVTOL aircraft based on a tiltwing design.

Some observers say that the aggressive service entry timelines for urban air mobility being pushed by startup eVTOL aircraft developers will be exposed as unrealistic in the wake of the Covid crisis. Others feel that the deeper experience of established aerospace industry leaders will prove to be an advantage in the long run, even if it means waiting longer for aircraft to be available.

Roland Berger's latest report on the urban air mobility market surveyed aerospace industry leaders about how they see the timeline for service entry in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. The consultancy also has introduced a new UAM Radar to track 100 potential early-adopter cities around the world, with early results showing a high proportion of these being in Europe and the Asia Pacific rim, despite the heavy emphasis on the U.S. market.

The Brazilian manufacturer started using a simulator to evaluate factors such as the man-machine interface and its fifth-generation fly-by-wire technology. It says its strong track record of certifying 26 new aircraft over two decades will help it to accelerate the type certification process, while also ensuring strong safety performance.

The first two versions of the BEHA aircraft family will have hybrid-electric propulsion systems using biofuels. By 2030, Faradair expects the aircraft to be all-electric using improved batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.

Carbon-fiber manufacturer Toray Industries will supply composite materials to eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium for its new Lilium Jet. Under an agreement announced on July 14, Japan-based Toray will supply its German partner with materials to build further technology demonstrator versions of the five-seat, all-electric aircraft, as well as various of Lilium’s suppliers that will manufacture parts for prototypes and serial production.