The merger of DG Flugzeugbau's production and EASA Part 21G production organization approval units with Volocopter's manufacturing team is an important step in plans to bring the VoloCity and VoloDrone aircraft into commercial service in 2024. Volocopter is acquiring its long-standing partner for an undisclosed sum.

Eviation Aircraft says it will start test flights for the redesigned Alice prototype before the end of 2021 and is on track to bring the 11-seat model into commercial service during 2024. The company has taken delivery of the first Magni650 electric propulsion units and also wings, empennage, and wiring interconnections from GKN.

EHang may have its EH216 eVTOL vehicle certified to operate commercially in China by early 2022. However, its European partner FACC acknowledges that a lot more work needs to be done to secure international type certification in key markets such as Europe, where it is supporting EHang in dealings with regulator EASA.

During a recent webinar hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), participants debated how soon the urban air mobility sector might be providing transportation alternatives, given issues surrounding certification basis, automation, and training. Participants believe flexibilities in FAA Part 23 rules are enabling technological advancements, but automation will be a slow process, and training must remain in focus.

The Beacon maintenance coordination platform connects operators, maintenance providers, aftermarket suppliers, and manufacturers to get aircraft back into service quickly after unscheduled maintenance events. Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions feels that this level of responsiveness will be essential to support the anticipated high volume of eVTOL air taxi operations, which will include the company's own four-passenger eVTOL design.

After completing extensive flight tests with its initial AirCar prototype, Slovakia-based Klein Vision will now build a preproduction version of the flying car, which it aims to bring to market by around the end of 2023. The design features a folding wing and an adjustable tail section to make for a more practical transition between flight and road use for private pilots.

Archer's new chief test pilot and head of flight safety will be directly involved in developing the flight deck for its planned eVTOL aircraft and will select key suppliers. He will also lead a flight test program that is due to start with the Maker technology demonstrator before the end of 2021.

Volocopter and logistics group DB Schenker recently completed the first phase of trials to establish the basis on which the autonomous VoloDrone eVTOL aircraft could be used for cargo operations. The German companies conducted what they called a joint static proof-of-concept (POC) exercise at the Messe Stuttgart convention center to assess how the VoloDrone will integrate with ground operations in logistics facilities.

Following the trial operations, the partners now plan to establish a blueprint for electric cargo drone operations with the support of the Fraunhoffer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics. This video shows the VoloDrone being evaluated by ground personnel to see how it could be integrated with operations involving trucks and other facilities.

The teams conducted a detailed examination of ground tasks such as coding goods, assessing safe cargo loads, and identifying required preflight cargo checks. They also looked at processes for transporting and loading payloads and considered safe standard operating procedures for ground-based staff preparing the eVTOL vehicle for flight.

EHang is mainly focused on developing the two-seat, all-electric EH216 eVTOL aircraft. The company recently announced plans for a larger, longer-range model called the VT-30, and both vehicles are intended to be operated autonomously, without a pilot on board.