Beta Technologies’ Alia prototype has wrapped up its first deployment with the U.S. Air Force, which is evaluating defense applications for new electric air taxis and eVTOL aircraft. The Vermont-based aircraft developer had its Alia prototype stationed for three months at Eglin Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle, where the company worked with the Air Force’s 413th Flight Test Squadron to conduct on-base experimentation and operational training.

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 designs. The Montreal-based manufacturer announced 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.

Eviation has shaken up its leadership team while the company’s all-electric Alice commuter airplane is undergoing a redesign. The Arlington, Washington-based aircraft developer has appointed Andre Stein, co-founder and former CEO of Eve Air Mobility, as its new CEO. Former Cirrus and Gulfstream executive Jeff Hurford is assuming the role of chief financial officer. Gregory Davis, who joined Eviation as president in May 2021 and took on the added role of CEO one year later, “is stepping away from the company to pursue a new chapter in his career,” a company spokesperson told AIN, adding that Davis is “assisting with the transition.”

Thales is supplying an air data system including sensors and a computer, while Honeywell will provide guidance and navigation systems, as well as external lighting for the aircraft. Austrian aerostructures manufacturer FACC is supplying the horizontal and vertical tail, including the rudder and elevator. Recaro Aircraft is providing cabin and flight deck seating.

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 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. 

Lilium has selected supply-chain specialist AJW Group to manage and distribute spare parts for the Lilium Jet, a six-passenger eVTOL air taxi that the German start-up aims to bring into commercial service in 2026. As Lilium’s exclusive parts distributor, AJW will play a key role in the manufacturer's aftermarket services business. 

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. 

New eVTOL aircraft could start operating air taxi services as soon as 2025, and the race is on to certify aircraft under development by multiple companies worldwide. At the same time, this nascent industry faces a huge challenge to provide the extensive infrastructure that will allow this new form of air transportation to transform the way people and things move around. Companies and cities are intently focused on this advanced air mobility ecosystem, which includes vertiports that will allow aircraft to take off and land in locations other than just airports. Electric charging stations will be needed. And somehow the new aircraft, which eventually may operate autonomously, must be safely integrated into airspace used by conventional aircraft.

To gauge what it will take to make this happen, AIN convened a panel of experts from companies engaged in this important work, including Supernal, Beta Technologies, Skyports, and Ferrovial Vertiports, as well as Rolls-Royce, which sponsored the roundtable discussion.