U.S.-based Airo now includes two eVTOL aircraft developers, Jaunt and VRCO, which join Airo's group of drone technology and operating subsidiaries and Aspen Avionics. It intends to raise further capital through an initial public offering in 2022 to support its ambitions to become a leading mid-tier aerospace group in the advanced air mobility sector. Jaunt plans to bring its five-seat eVTOL vehicle into commercial service by 2026, while its UK sibling VRCO is working on the Xcraft model, which could be used for both cargo and VIP passenger transportation.

Autonomous flight technology developer Xwing is already operating Textron’s Cessna Grand Caravan utility aircraft under an experimental license to test its remotely piloted systems. Under an agreement signed on October 12, the start-up will now work closely with Textron's engineering team to develop, certify, convert, and manufacture aircraft fitted with this capability.

Surf Air Mobility's efforts to stimulate the adoption of hybrid-electric propulsion in aviation are mainly focused on its prospective Ampaire subsidiary and a new alliance with Textron Aviation to convert its ubiquitous Cessna Grand Caravan fleet of turboprop utility aircraft.

German chemicals group BASF says its latest high-temperature proton exchange membranes could reduce the weight of HyPoint's hydrogen fuel cells by around one-third, allowing aircraft developers to extend range with greater hydrogen capacity or add passenger seats and cargo.

ABB E-mobility's planned charging points will be able to fully recharge the eVTOL aircraft's batteries in 30 minutes or provide an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes. Lilium says this will be sufficient to allow its seven-seat eVTOL aircraft to make between 20 and 25 flights each day in its planned regional service networks, which are due to start operations in 2024 in locations that include Florida, Germany, and Brazil.

The eVTOL air taxi hub being developed by ground infrastructure specialist Skyportz will be located next to the new Australian Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence with close connections to other modes of public transportation, a leading university, and major corporations. The company says the Brisbane facility is one of around 400 sites that it intends to develop in major cities also including Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.

Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of understanding with several German government agencies to advance the research and development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the next generation of aviation in Brandenburg.

Visitors to the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Hamburg, Germany, were able to witness the first public flight of Volocopter’s VoloDrone heavylift cargo-carrying eVTOL aircraft on October 12. The German company is developing the all-electric, autonomous vehicle in partnership with logistics group DB Schenker and has previously conducted ground trials at its facilities. The three-minute flight took place next to Hamburg’s docks on the Elbe river, reaching an altitude of 72 feet. The aircraft carried a standard-sized freight pallet to one of DB Schenker’s human-powered Cargo Bikes, which then delivered the consignment to its final destination.

VRCO is developing a four-seat all-electric eVTOL aircraft called the Xcraft XP4 that it sees as being used for cargo and passenger applications.