MightyFly Rolls Out Third-Generation Autonomous eVTOL Freighter
MightyFly has rolled out its latest rendition of its Cento aircraft, a hybrid eVTOL freighter designed to carry 100-pound payloads up to 600 miles. The company unveiled the third-generation Cento prototype on January 25 during a special event at its San Leandro, California headquarters. Earlier that day, the FAA granted MightyFly a special airworthiness certificate and a certificate of authorization permitting it to fly the experimental aircraft between the San Francisco Bay-area Byron and New Jerusalem airports.
Archer and NASA Collaborate on eVTOL Aircraft Battery Testing
Archer Aviation and NASA are joining forces to test battery systems for eVTOL aircraft and potential space applications, the California-based eVTOL developer announced this week. Under a new Space Act Agreement, Archer will work with the U.S. space agency to characterize the safety and performance of the battery cells that power the company’s Midnight air taxi.
Bombardier Steps Up EcoJet Project to Cut Business Aircraft Emissions
Bombardier has named the first research partners for its EcoJet project, which aims to reduce business jet emissions by 50 percent through aerodynamic blended-wing-body (BWB) designs. The Montreal-based manufacturer announced Wednesday that it has enlisted two Canadian partners—the University of Victoria’s Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR) and Quaternion Aerospace—to collaborate on the EcoJet project.
FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
Flight School Quadruples Commitment for Bye eFlyer Electric Training Aircraft
Joby Lines Up New York City eVTOL Air Taxi Operating Base
Joby Aviation is preparing to install its electric aircraft recharging system at the Kearny, New Jersey, helipad operated by its partner Helo Holdings, as it prepares to launch air taxi services in partnership with Delta Air Lines in 2025. The site is barely nine miles from Wall Street and a two-minute flight from Manhattan heliports.
Indian Private Aviation Operator Sizes Up Trio of Electric/Hybrid Aircraft Fleet Options
JetSetGo is the latest would-be advanced air mobility operator to sign overlapping provisional sales agreements with multiple developers of new hybrid-electric aircraft. Electra, Overair, and Horizon have all signed letters of intent with the Delhi-based private aviation company but it remains to be seen which of their various electric and hybrid-electric models will end up in service across its Indian network.
Vertical Founder Pledges $50 Million To Sustain Work on VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
In an equity capital transaction, Vertical Aerospace's founder and CEO, Stephen Fitzpatrick, will provide two $25 million tranches by the end of July that are expected to sustain the UK company into the second quarter of 2025. Vertical says it has almost completed work on the second VX4 eVTOL prototype and will start flight testing in time for the aircraft to make a public appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow in July.
Indian Regional Airline MEHAIR Signs For ZeroAvia's Hydrogen Propulsion System
Maritime Energy Heli Air Services is firming up finance to support the purchase of up to 20 of ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, which it will retrofit to its fleet of nine-passenger Cessna Caravan aircraft. The company also has plans to introduce Jekta's PHA-ZE 100 19-seat seaplanes.
Horizon Completes IPO and Signs eVTOL Purchase Agreement with Indian Charter Group
Indian private aviation group JetSetGo says it will buy up to 100 of Horizon's hybrid-electric Cavorite X7 aircraft, which is expected to have a range of up to around 500 miles. The memorandum of understanding was signed a day after Canada-based Horizon completed its business combination with special purpose acquisition company Pono Capital Three and a Nasdaq stock market listing that raised an initial $9 million for the program.