FutureFlight

Europe-based Volocopter plans to operate its eVTOL aircraft commercially in the U.S. market, with type certification of the two-seat VoloCity model anticipated by 2024 and the larger, longer-range VoloConnect to follow around two years later. During the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Volocopter's 2X prototype flew publicly in front of large crowds.

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According to Opener, it has now built 30 full-size versions of its BlackFly single-seat eVTOL personal aerial vehicle, which it says falls under FAA’s Part 103 regulations for ultralight aircraft. While the secretive company is not yet taking orders, it is developing a pilot training program.

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Through KinectAir's Pioneer fractional ownership program, an unspecified number of VoltAero's four-seat Cassio 330 aircraft will be based at U.S. airports. Shareowners will be able to earn revenue by allowing other people to use the aircraft, but full details of the terms and conditions have yet to be released. The Cassio aircraft is expected to enter service in late 2023 and have a range of up to 800 miles.

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Daedalean traffic detection spo2_photos_x8 copy

The PilotEye vision system jointly developed by avionics group Avidyne and artificial intelligence specialist Daedalean will assist pilots by scanning the sky for hazards and assessing options for possible emergency landings. It also has the potential to support full autonomous operations for new advanced air mobility aircraft.

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China's EHang has not confirmed the current production rates for the EH216 eVTOL aircraft, which is still awaiting type certification. Its large new factory at Yunfu started operating in late June and includes facilities for component manufacturing, as well as aircraft assembly, research and development, and training.

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Reinvent Technology Partners co-lead director Reid Hoffman is set to join the board of eVTOL aircraft developer Joby, along with Google's general counsel, Halimah DeLaine Prado, and former Southwest Airlines CFO Laura Wright. Following the anticipated completion of a merger with special purpose acquisition company Reinvent Technology Partners on August 5, the company will trade under the name Joby Aviation and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Maker reveal-1

Archer characterized a U.S. federal court’s denial of Wisk’s motion for a preliminary injunction as a victory in its defense against charges that it was complicit in using stolen trade secrets for its Maker eVTOL technology demonstrator. The full trial is now set to begin in San Francisco on August 11 and is likely to include more extensive testimony from employees of both companies and arguments over the basis for their competing eVTOL aircraft designs.

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On the Radar
Boeing Confirms Wisk's eVTOLs Are Part of Its Sustainability Plans, and Hydrogen Might Be, Too

Boeing this week published its 2021 sustainability report. At first glance, the document follows a pretty standard “corporate and social responsibility” format, spelling out how the aerospace giant intends to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem when it comes to aviation’s impact on the environment. Very topically, this year’s report takes particular account of the impact of the Covid pandemic on its business and the markets it serves.

But beyond the somewhat predictable headline points, the report does give some insights into how Boeing is addressing its sustainability mission. Since last year’s report, the group has appointed Chris Raymond as its first chief sustainability officer, with a brief to push this agenda throughout its global enterprise.

Unsurprisingly, Boeing presses fleet renewal as a key first step to a more sustainable air transport business. The report promises a 15 to 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and engine emissions with each new generation of airliners, with Boeing claiming to have invested more than $60 billion in technological advances, including lightweight composite materials and advanced high-bypass ratio engines. It has committed to having all its airliners be able to run on sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 and is continuing to use its ecoDemonstrator platform to advance new technologies.

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Joby VideoPlayer-1

Joby is stepping up the flight testing of its planned five passenger eVTOL aircraft and, after years of secrecy, the company is lifting the veil on this work. A new video shows a complete flight from initial vertical takeoff, followed by a 30-degree yaw to the left before the aircraft accelerates on its climb to cruise altitude. The film shows the six sets of propellers tilting forward to power the wing-borne phase of flight that gives the all-electric design its projected 150-mile range and 200-mph speed. Finally, as the aircraft turns to approach the runway, the propellers transition back to the upright position for a vertical landing from hover.

According to California-based Joby, the full-scale eVTOL prototype recently completed a 150-mile trip in one hour and 17 minutes. The as-yet-unnamed aircraft is using the FAA’s G-1 process as the basis for type certification, which is envisaged in time to start commercial service in 2024.

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Eve_Embraer X June 2021
Featured Program

Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, which is a subsidiary of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, is developing a four-passenger eVTOL model that it calls Electric Vertical Aircraft.

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Featured Person
Sumita Tandon
 

Wisk Aero appointed Sumita Tandon to the new position of head of software in July 2021. Prior to this, she was director of the chief engineer's office at L3 Harris, focusing on commercial avionics technology for the group's ACSS surveillance products subsidiary. Previously in her 25-year career, Tandon held senior software engineering leadership roles with aerospace companies including United Technologies, Hamilton Sundstrand, and GE.

She has a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
September 1-2, 2021 / Melbourne, AUstralia

The Advanced Air Mobility Summit 2021 will be held in-person in Melbourne, with remote access also available online. It is organized by the Australian Association for Unmanned Systems and will bring together government and industry representatives, as well as multiple other stakeholders.

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