FutureFlight

Singapore-based tech start-up, Heron AirBridge, is expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region with an uncrewed aircraft system traffic management (UTM) platform that it expects to be a key enabler of advanced air mobility (AAM) services mainly using new eVTOL aircraft.

Transcend Air is rebooting its ambitions for the advanced air mobility sector after confirming that it is now working on an improved version of the Vy 400 turbine-powered VTOL aircraft it has been developing since 2018. The new twin-engined Vy 421 model will be around 25 percent larger than the earlier design. It will be aimed at civil and military applications and will be able to carry eight people or a cargo payload of 3,500 pounds on flights of just over 1,000 miles at speeds of up to 486 mph.

Battery manufacturer Amprius Technologies says it has achieved a new breakthrough in battery technology for electric aircraft and road vehicles with its creation of a new ultra-high-power, high-energy lithium-ion battery that the company claims will provide “unmatched propulsion power and energy.” The new battery packs an energy density of 400 Wh/kg while simultaneously touting an impressively high discharge rate of 10C.

ZeroAvia has reached an agreement to provide its 600-kilowatt ZA600 hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for a fleet of Twin Otter aircraft to be operated by Surcar Airlines. The new Spanish airline intends to offer sightseeing flights between the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of North Africa, starting with Twin Otters running on jet-A fuel before the aircraft can be converted to hydrogen after ZeroAvia's equipment is certified in 2025.

Eve Air Mobility Appoints New CEO

Eve Air Mobility this week announced the appointment of Johann Bordais as its new CEO. The leadership change will be effective September 1, with Bordais transitioning from his current role as president and CEO of Embraer Services & Support. Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is the majority shareholder in Eve, which is developing a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft.

After nearly three decades of developing avionics systems and aircraft displays for general aviation airplanes, Avidyne is branching out into the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry with an entirely new approach to avionics systems: an open avionics platform called Quantum. However, high degrees of flight deck customization could result in complications when it comes to flight training requirements for pilots.

As eVTOL aircraft developers get closer to bringing their vehicles into series production, orders for equipment from key suppliers are increasing. Electric power distribution specialist Astronics confirmed this trend by reporting it has a $20 million order backlog from 10 manufacturers in the new advanced air mobility sector.

Under its Afwerx Agility Prime programs, the U.S. Air Force is assessing how it could deploy eVTOL aircraft, which offer very different capabilities than its existing fleet. Archer has received a new contract to extend its partnership with the service, resulting in the delivery of up to six of its Midnight vehicle.

Some emerging advanced air mobility companies continue to face significant financial headwinds as witnessed by the decidedly cool market reaction to Surf Air Mobility’s direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange late on July 27. Ahead of the initial public offering, Surf Air merged with Southern Airways Express, which operates a fleet of turbine-powered Cessna Caravans mainly under FAA Essential Air Service contracts. Working with partners including MagniX and AeroTec, the company intends to convert existing aircraft to use electric propulsion systems.

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) this week opened the refurbished research and development facility where it will advance its plans to bring hydrogen-powered regional airliners to market in 2026. The company is working with UK airframer Britten-Norman to produce carbon-free versions of its Islander family of nine-passenger aircraft, which currently run on a pair of piston or turboprop engines.