Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter, our weekly look at the biggest stories in emerging aviation technology. From low-altitude drones to high-flying rockets at the edge of the atmosphere, we’ll take you on a tour of the modern flying world to help you make sense of it all.

Now for this week’s top story:

Canada’s Helijet Makes History with Beta eVTOL Order

What happened? Helijet is one of North America’s oldest and largest helicopter airlines and one of the few that offers scheduled passenger flights. Now, the company is flying into the future with its order for Beta Technologies’ Alia-250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi—the first such purchase by a Canadian air carrier.

Old dog, new tricks: Helijet has been around since the ’80s, but that won’t stop it from embracing technologies at aviation’s cutting edge. The firm, Beta’s first Canadian customer, expects to be the country’s first air carrier to offer passenger and cargo eVTOL flights. Beta’s Alia will complement—not replace—its fleet of Eurocopter AS350 B2s, Sikorsky S76s, Learjet 31As, and Pilatus PC-12s.

Alia is more limited than these designs, with a 250 nm range and 100 knot cruise speed. However, it produces zero carbon emissions and is expected to be far quieter than those helicopters—and cheaper, Beta and Helijet claim. Helijet will deploy it for passenger, cargo, and medical transport services.

Why Beta? Per Helijet, Beta makes for an ideal partner due to its plan to certify Alia for IFR operations. The eVTOL manufacturer also has a footprint in Canada, having opened an engineering and research and development hub in Montreal in March. It also partnered with Canadian flight simulator provider CAE to train Alia pilots and maintenance technicians.

The partners estimate that eVTOL aircraft could serve 4.2 million passengers in the Greater Vancouver area over the next 15 to 20 years, generating some $1.5 billion ($2.1 million Canadian dollars) in advanced air mobility (AAM) business activity. But they’ll need to wait for Alia’s certification, which is expected around 2026.

Quick quote: “With its mature air travel market demographic and existing challenges for conventional transportation between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, southern British Columbia provides an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the commercial viability and environmental sustainability of AAM in B.C. and Canada,” said JR Hammond, executive director of Canadian Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM), the country’s national AAM consortium.

My take: Could Helijet, one of only two major scheduled passenger helicopter airline services in North America (Blade Urban Air Mobility being the other), become one of the region’s biggest AAM player?

Compared to the massive eVTOL investments made by U.S. airlines such as United and Delta, Canadian air carriers have been slower to warm up to the emerging tech. But Helijet could be set up for early success, with a built-in customer base that already seeks short-hop helicopter flights. Replacing some of those trips with air taxi routes shouldn’t harm demand—especially if Alia can offer a cheaper alternative, as the partners claim.

The new aircraft likely won’t fly until 2026. But when they do, Helijet could provide an important litmus test for AAM operations in Canada.

Deep dive: Canada’s Helijet Makes History with Beta eVTOL Order

In Other News…

SpaceX Starship Nears Return to Flight

What happened? SpaceX’s Starship, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, has been grounded since its April maiden voyage began and ended in flames. But the FAA in September closed its investigation into the explosion, and the agency this week announced it has now completed its safety review—a key portion of the evaluation of SpaceX’s launch license.

Back in action soon? Having completed the safety review, the FAA is now working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on an environmental review, the final step needed to modify SpaceX’s vehicle operator license, which may take up to 135 days. When that modification is approved, Starship will be cleared for a second test flight.

However, keep an eye on the lingering lawsuit the FAA and SpaceX are battling. If they lose the case, the FAA will need to produce an environmental impact statement analyzing the effect of Starship launches on local wildlife. That process could delay things for months—or longer.

Deep dive: SpaceX’s Starship—the Most Powerful Rocket in History—Nears Return to Flight

Zipline and Cleveland Clinic Plan Prescription Drone Delivery

What happened? Zipline, the world’s largest drone delivery provider, added its fourth major U.S. healthcare partner this year in Cleveland Clinic. The hospital system will work with Zipline to launch prescription drone delivery in 2025, using its new partner’s Platform 2 (P2) delivery system.

How it’ll work: Zipline’s P2 does a couple cool things—among them is the installation of drone “drive-thru” windows that will allow Cleveland Clinic technicians to load the aircraft without leaving the lab. Rather than drop prescriptions using a parachute, like Zipline’s Platform 1 does, P2 will lower a small, autonomous droid that steers itself to a landing area the size of a patio table.

The collaboration makes sense for Cleveland Clinic, which has been lauded for its supply chain and innovative use of technology. Eventually, the partners plan to ramp up with deliveries of lab samples, prescription meals, and more.

Deep Dive: Zipline and Cleveland Clinic Partner on Prescription Drone Delivery

And a Few More Headlines:

• Ireland’s Manna Drone Delivery launched commercially in the U.S. with Halloween deliveries for trick-or-treaters.

• Virgin Galactic completed its Galactic 05 mission, the company’s sixth successful spaceflight in as many months.

• Chinese eVTOL manufacturer EHang said it expects to begin delivering its type-certified air taxi to customers in the coming months.

• Germany’s Lilium, another eVTOL maker, appointed ArcosJet as its exclusive Lilium Jet dealer in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Cyprus.

• Tampa International Airport (KTPA) hosted a test flight of Volocopter’s eVTOL for city and state officials.

On the Horizon…

Kicking off things with a pair of developments FLYING covered this week, the FAA and the U.S. Air Force, as well as the state of Utah, have stepped up their AAM efforts.

Starting with the two government entities: The FAA and AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force, are collaborating to share flight data and testing capabilities for eVTOL and autonomous aircraft. AFWERX has awarded millions of dollars worth of contracts to 36 electric aircraft and technology developers, and its learnings could help the FAA meet its Innovate28 goals. The partnership is expected to benefit U.S.-made aircraft in particular.

Regulators in Utah, meanwhile, released an AAM blueprint resembling a smaller, state-level version of Innovate28. The report provides an interesting look at how individual states may initially tackle these new services. While it’s jampacked with guidance, the researchers’ key takeaway was that Utah already has plenty of assets to work with, and it could see fully operational AAM services by 2028.

We’ve got a couple of Congressional updates this week too. The big one is the introduction of the American Security Drone Act of 2023 to the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. The bill, initially proposed in February by Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), would prevent federal departments and agencies from operating, procuring, or using federal funding to purchase drones made in China and Russia.

Meanwhile, Warner and other legislators this week announced that the Senate passed a measure to limit federal funding for drones made in China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba—collectively described as the “New Axis of Evil.” The amendment will withhold funding included in the upcoming FAA appropriations package.

Staying at the federal level, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security could soon lose the ability to down rogue drones, as their counter-drone authority, established in 2018, is set to expire November 18. Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, said failure to reauthorize the two agencies could leave the U.S. “effectively defenseless” against threats to mass gatherings, airports, and other critical infrastructure.

Speaking of critical infrastructure: In New York’s Capital Region, officials have introduced a bill that would prevent drones from flying near schools and other buildings with that label. The legislation appears after a series of incidents involving drones flying over schools.

Mark Your Calendars

Each week, I’ll be running through a list of upcoming industry events. Here are a few conferences to keep an eye on:

• Dubai Air Show—November 13-17 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Aerospace Tech Week Americas 2023—November 14-15 in Atlanta
• Advanced Air Mobility Summit 2023—November 20-21 in Lisbon, Portugal
• ICAO Drone Enable—December 5-7 in Montreal
• 11th Annual eVTOL Symposium—February 6-8 in Silicon Valley, California
• Drone Show Korea 2024—March 6-8 in Busan, South Korea
• World’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conference—March 17-19 in Jerusalem
• AUVSI Xponential 2024—April 22-25 in San Diego 
• Vertical Flight Society’s Forum 80—May 7-9 in Montreal

Tweet of the Week

Want to see your tweet here next week? Have comments or feedback? Share your thoughts on Twitter and tag me (@jack_daleo)! Or check out FLYING’s media accounts:

Twitter: FLYING Magazine (@FlyingMagazine) / Twitter

Facebook: FLYING Magazine – Home (facebook.com)

Instagram: FLYING Magazine (@flyingmagazine) • Instagram photos and videos

I want to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms about everything in the modern flying space, whether they’re about a new drone you just bought or the future of space exploration. Reach out to jack@flying.media or tweet me @jack_daleo with your thoughts.

The post Helijet Brings Electric Air Taxis to Canada appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

In a significant leap toward sustainable aviation, Pipistrel, a subsidiary of Textron Inc., has announced that the Velis Electro, the world’s first type-certified electric aircraft, has been selected by the U.S. Air Force for its Agility Prime program (AFWERX).

Agility Prime, the service’s cutting-edge, vertical lift initiative, explores the operational and training potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for various mission-critical purposes, including training and operations.

• READ MORE: Pipistrel Delivers First Electric Aircraft to Canada

“AFWERX and MTSI’s selection of the Velis Electro is a powerful endorsement of Pipistrel and the growing acceptance by leading organizations of this area of emerging technology,” Kriya Shortt, president and CEO of Textron’s eAviation segment, said in a release. “This marks an important milestone on the journey to sustainable flight, and we are proud to support the Agility Prime program as the Velis enters its fleet.”

Pipistrel, headquartered in Slovenia, said the Velis Electro stands out as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice for flight training, with its mature electric engine design developed in-house by Pipistrel. Company president Gabriel Massey emphasizes the aircraft’s remarkable potential.

“The Velis Electro is a cost-effective and sustainable option for flight training,” Massey said. “With its mature electric engine design…the Velis Electro leads the industry in carrying out more sustainable pilot training and other missions.”

Two Velis Electro aircraft will be directly supported by Pipistrel’s distributor, Lincoln Park Aviation, which the company believes marks a stride toward a greener, more sustainable future in aviation.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Plane & Pilot.

The post Pipistrel’s Velis Electro Promises Electric Revolution appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Rolls-Royce said it successfully completed a series of tests of its Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X business aviation engines using 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

The Pearl 15, which is the first member of the Pearl engine family, powers the  Bombardier Global 5500 and 6500 aircraft. The Pearl 10X will be used on the Dassault Falcon 10X, the company’s ultralong-range flagship.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Marks Successful Engine Test Run on Hydrogen

Rolls-Royce said the tests, which took place at the company’s business aviation headquarters in Dahlewitz, Germany, reflect its plans to “play a leading role in the journey to achieve net-zero flight by 2050.”

In addition to proving SAF’s compatibility, the tests included back-to-back test runs of a Pearl 10X engine using jet-A-1 and SAF to demonstrate environmental improvements resulting from the change to SAF.

Rolls-Royce said the hydro-processed esters and fatty acids, or HEFA, SAF used in the tests was derived from sustainable, waste-based feedstocks including cooking oils and fat waste. The fuel has the potential to cut net carbon dioxide life cycle emissions by about 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Tests UltraFan, Its first New Engine Architecture in 54 Years

The back-to-back tests also showed that SAF burns more cleanly than fossil-based fuel while emitting lower levels of non-volatile particulate matter, or nvPM. The test results will help move SAF closer to certification, the company said.

“Sustainable aviation fuels are a key element of our sustainability strategy, as they will play an important role in decarbonizing long-haul flight,” said Dr. Dirk Geisinger, Rolls-Royce’s director of business aviation. “With its outstanding environmental performance, the Pearl family is already setting new standards in the ultralong-range corporate jet market.”

The post Rolls-Royce Tests Pearl Engines with 100 Percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter, our weekly look at the biggest stories in emerging aviation technology. From low-altitude drones to high-flying rockets at the edge of the atmosphere, we’ll take you on a tour of the modern flying world to help you make sense of it all.

Now for this week’s top story:

China’s EHang Earns World’s First eVTOL Type Certificate

What happened? The U.S. was beaten to a key AAM milestone…by a familiar foe. China’s civil aviation authority (CAAC) last week awarded Guangzhou-based EHang the world’s first type certificate for an eVTOL aircraft, dealing somewhat of a blow to U.S. companies working toward that goal with the FAA. At the same time, though, the rising tide could raise all boats, so to speak.

EHang’s milestone: The Chinese manufacturer’s EH216-S—designed for passenger air taxi and tourism services—is now type certified and authorized for commercial operations and scaled production. Amazingly, the first type-approved eVTOL flies autonomously, with no pilot on board. Among the major players globally, Boeing’s Wisk Aero is the only other firm that wants to fly autonomous from the jump.

During a 30-month process, the EH216-S was thoroughly scrutinized and tested, completing more than 40,000 preliminary flights—some with passengers on board. Rivals Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are the closest to beginning “for credit” testing with the FAA in the U.S.

The playing field: Joby recently began testing its eVTOL with a pilot on board, while Archer appears set to reach that stage next year. Wisk, meanwhile, is looking further out, eyeing commercial operations before the end of the decade. But there’s a high likelihood the next eVTOL type certification also comes from abroad.

Germany’s Volocopter expects to type certify its VoloCity air taxi in time for a commercial launch during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, ahead of Joby and Archer’s initial air taxi routes in the U.S. (planned for 2025). Another German manufacturer, Lilium, is the only eVTOL firm with certification bases established from both the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Quick quote: “For the industry, the first type certificate for an eVTOL aircraft is a major step forward, as it shows that a player has met the expectations around safety, reliability, etc. that the regulator imposes to protect the public. It opens up the commercial market and allows the start of initial commercial operations, assuming operating regulation is also in place. That is an exciting moment for the industry,” Robin Riedel, who co-leads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility, told FLYING.

My take: So…what does this all mean? In my mind, there are two ways to view EHang’s milestone: as a blow to its U.S. rivals, or as a boon for the AAM industry as a whole.

Let’s start with that first perspective. Obviously, the U.S. wants to be the first nation with a robust AAM industry, and type certification is a major step. EHang (for now) is only permitted to fly in China, which should allow the U.S. market to develop concurrently. However, the eastern superpower now has a head start, and it could capitalize by growing its AAM services at a faster rate—especially if other firms obtain the approval EHang did.

Now for the counterpoint: Perhaps a rising tide will lift all boats? The FAA has shown to be more methodical when it comes to AAM regulations, opting for a different process than regulators in the EU and elsewhere. But China has now shown the world that it’s possible to quickly certify an eVTOL, albeit with the caveat that certification does not necessarily equate to safe flight. 

Faced with the pressure of beating out its rival—amplified by Chinese dominance in the commercial drone market—maybe the FAA could take a page or two from its playbook.

Deep dive: China’s EHang Earns World’s First eVTOL Type Certificate

In Other News…

Amazon Makes a Flurry of Drone Delivery Announcements

What happened? After months of radio silence, Amazon provided an update on its Prime Air drone delivery service—four updates to be more accurate. The e-commerce giant said it will add prescription drone delivery in Texas, announced an international expansion, unveiled its latest design, and revealed that its drones will soon be integrated into its massive delivery network.

Back on track? It’s hard to describe Prime Air’s current drone delivery offerings as anything other than a disappointment. After a decade of hyping up the service, Amazon in May said it had completed just 100 deliveries in California and Texas, a far cry from its projections. But with the addition of prescription delivery and an expansion into the U.K., Italy, and another unnamed U.S. city, the company clearly has not given up.

The integration of drones into Amazon’s unparalleled delivery network could be huge. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The firm has an unparalleled lattice of thousands of facilities worldwide, all deliberately built to be close to as many customers as possible. Sounds like an ideal hub for short-range delivery drones.

Deep dive: Amazon Adds Texas Prescription Drone Delivery, Announces International Expansion

Archer Lays Groundwork for Service in the UAE

What happened? The Middle East is quickly becoming a hot spot for eVTOL activity, and Archer is the latest to enter the action. The air taxi manufacturer is working with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to set up shop in the United Arab Emirates, with plans to build a new headquarters, add manufacturing capabilities, and launch commercial service in Abu Dhabi in 2026.

AAM in the UAE: Archer’s facilities will be located in Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, a planned urban community announced last week. The cluster has the backing of Emirati higher-ups and recently inducted Archer rival Joby, which also plans to establish a footprint in the country.

The UAE is pouring millions of dollars into its AAM industry and has also hosted flights from Volocopter, China’s XPeng, and several others. A few firms—including a California-based eVTOL manufacturer—have already set up shop in the country. If all goes according to plan, they and Archer will be some of the first companies to offer AAM services in the Middle East.

Deep Dive: Archer Plans to Launch Electric Air Taxi Flights Across the UAE

And a Few More Headlines:

• Lilium partnered with Houston-based EMCJET to begin selling its Jet Pioneer Edition to wealthy individual customers in the U.S.

• Jetson Aero’s Jetson One personal electric aircraft earned Italy’s first ultralight eVTOL certification.

• NASA unveiled plans for a new 36-acre Berkeley Space Center, located at its Ames Research Center in California.

• The agency also received a lift from SpaceX, which launched the Psyche asteroid mission spacecraft aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket.

• Beta Technologies partnered with FBO and airport management firm Shoreline Aviation to install Massachusetts’ first electric aircraft charging station.

Spotlight on…

Turbulence Solutions

This week, I’m not the only one holding the spotlight. A video posted to X (formerly Twitter) by Austrian startup Turbulence Solutions garnered millions of viewers, who were likely intrigued (as I was) by the firm’s Turbulence Canceling technology.

Turbulence Solutions predicts its tech will reduce the turbulence felt by passengers by as much as 80 percent. In the video, a simulated flight comparison demonstrates how aircraft might behave with and without it. Real-life footage depicting views from an aircraft cockpit and one of the wings shows what the solution will look like in action. The basic idea is to use a combination of sensors, lidar, and flight control software to predict and adjust to turbulence.

Andras Galffy, the firm’s founder, CEO, and head of technology and research, told FLYING the company will first integrate its solution on GA and eVTOL aircraft. Already, the system has been tested on crewed demonstrator aircraft, and Turbulence Solutions recently got its first customer: a manufacturer of 1,300-pound ultralights.

Deep Dive: Startup Looking to Eliminate Turbulence for GA Pilots Goes Viral

On the Horizon…

First, briefly revisiting EHang’s type certification milestone, China’s progress on AAM operations is something to keep an eye on. Electric air taxis are not in the country’s skies just yet. But successful or not, EHang’s commercial flights will give regulators in the U.S. and elsewhere valuable information, which could inform new AAM policies and strategies.

Staying on the topic of AAM, AFWERX, the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm, is working with the Department of Transportation’s AAM Interagency Working Group to shape regulations for the U.S. market. Already, AFWERX has plenty of expertise with emerging aircraft. And combined with upcoming deliveries of eVTOL aircraft from Joby and Archer, the department could offer a unique perspective on regulations.

Elsewhere, regulators in the U.K. and Australia continue to explore beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority has selected six trials—covering innovations from medical drone delivery to “sky highways”—with the hope that they can inform the regulator’s BVLOS policy. 

The Australian aviation authority (CASA), meanwhile, requested public feedback on a survey designed to collect data on BVLOS drone use. It too will use its learnings to develop a regulatory framework for low-risk operations beyond the pilot’s view.

Mark Your Calendars

Each week, I’ll be running through a list of upcoming industry events. Intergeo 2023 and Dronitaly wrapped up last week across the Atlantic, but here are a few conferences to keep an eye on:

• Airtec 2023—Wednesday-October 27 in Augsburg, Germany
• World’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conference—November 12-14 in Jerusalem
• Dubai Air Show—November 13-17 in Dubai, UAE
• Aerospace Tech Week Americas 2023—November 14-15 in Atlanta
• Advanced Air Mobility Summit 2023—November 20-21 in Lisbon, Portugal
• ICAO Drone Enable—December 5-7 in Montreal
• 11th Annual eVTOL Symposium—February 6-8 in Silicon Valley, California
• Drone Show Korea 2024—March 6-8 in Busan, South Korea
• AUVSI Xponential 2024—April 22-25 in San Diego 
• Vertical Flight Society’s Forum 80—May 7-9 in Montreal

Tweet of the Week

Want to see your tweet here next week? Have comments or feedback? Share your thoughts on Twitter and tag me (@jack_daleo)! Or check out FLYING’s media accounts:

Twitter: FLYING Magazine (@FlyingMagazine) / Twitter

Facebook: FLYING Magazine – Home (facebook.com)

Instagram: FLYING Magazine (@flyingmagazine) • Instagram photos and videos

I want to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms about everything in the modern flying space, whether they’re about a new drone you just bought or the future of space exploration. Reach out to jack@flying.media or tweet me @jack_daleo with your thoughts.

The post Is China the Top Dog in eVTOL? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its long-anticipated final determination on the danger of leaded aviation gasoline. The finding sets plans in motion to define a “pathway” toward regulation that will ultimately enable a safe transition to a lead-free replacement for high-octane, low-lead fuel (100LL). With the testing still required and opportunities for public comment, that process is likely to take two years, according to FAA Executive Director for Aircraft Certification Service Lirio Liu.

According to the EPA statement: “EPA and FAA have already begun work to consider regulatory options to address lead emissions from aircraft engines and will announce timelines as soon as possible. EPA and FAA will work in partnership and engage all interested stakeholders and the general public as the two agencies develop their separate regulatory actions.” 

Representatives of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) working group held a media briefing directly following the release of the EPA finding. During the online webinar, Liu joined several industry stakeholder participants in stressing – multiple times – that EAGLE and the FAA are firmly committed to ensuring the continued availability of 100LL until a safe and practical replacement can be made universally available. In essence, the message was that ensuring flight safety for aircraft that require higher-octane fuel takes precedence over the risk of prematurely eliminating the availability of 100LL.

• READ MORE: EAGLE Initiative Shows Measured Progress, Fuel Contenders Say at Oshkosh

Curt Castagna, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association, which represents the interests of “a broad array” of aviation service providers, including fuel providers, airports and FBOs, laid out three priorities going forward: developing a suitable fuel; keeping 100LL available in the meantime; and helping airports and airport operators effect a smooth transition.

Stakeholders represented at the webinar included:

• Mark Baker, president and CEO, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
• Todd Hauptli, president and CEO, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)
• Prentiss Searles, director of fuels, marketing and vehicle policy, American Petroleum Institute (API)
• Jack Pelton CEO and chairman, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)
• Pete Bunce, president and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
• James Viola, president and CEO, Helicopter Association International (HAI)
• Curt Castagna, president and CEO, National Air Transportation Association (NATA)
• Greg Pecoraro, president, National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)

The next steps involve establishing aircraft emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. Liu said, “The EPA can find that a component causes harm [which is what the endangerment finding is]. The FAA will define the standards.” She reiterated that the FAA approach is focused on safe operation, while the EPA focuses on eliminating harmful emissions. Liu described the timeline going forward as a cooperative effort between the FAA and EPA. “We really have to work in harmony here,” she said.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.com.

The post EPA Releases Endangerment Finding on 100LL appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Airlines and manufacturers across the globe are pouring resources and time into finding a fuel solution that will reduce the impact aviation has on the environment. Boeing, the German Aerospace Center, NASA and United Airlines are continuing the search in a rather interesting way. Using a Boeing 737 MAX 10 painted in a special United eco livery and a NASA DC-8, the group will monitor and record emission data from the 737 using SAF and traditional jet fuel in flight.  

Boeing has used numerous ecoDemonstrator aircraft over the years to improve industry understanding of the impacts aviation has on the environment. Most recently, the Arlington, Va.-based manufacturer has used an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, 777-200ER and 787-10. The 737 MAX 10 which will be used during the air-to-air flights has been painted with a special livery signifying the environmental mission the aircraft will carry out. 

• READ MORE: Boeing Unveils 777-200ER SAF Demonstrator

In-Flight Testing

The 737 will fly with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one tank and conventional jet fuel in another, allowing atmospheric comparison data between the two to be captured by the NASA DC-8, which will be following the 737 in flight. Specifically, the NASA airborne science lab will be capturing emissions produced by each fuel type and contrail ice particles. The goal of the testing is to gain more of an understanding of how fuel designs, engine combustion and other technologies can reduce atmospheric heating. 

According to Boeing, SAFs can reduce emissions by 85% of the fuel’s life cycle. Created from blends of materials, such as cooking oil and agricultural waste, SAFs are the most promising fuel source for significantly reducing emissions in the aviation industry in the near future. Per the press release, Boeing has committed to deliver aircraft entirely compatible with SAFs by 2030. 

NASA’s mission integration manager for Sustainable Flight National Partnership, Rich Wahls, believes deploying the agency’s DC-8 will be extremely beneficial stating “Flight testing is complex and resource-intensive, yet it’s the gold standard for understanding how sustainable aerospace innovations affect changes in contrails and climate.”

Based in Palmdale, Calif., NASA’s DC-8 is a four-engine rarity in the current aviation world. Joining NASA in 1985, the 53-year-old aircraft is still going strong, collecting atmospheric data across the globe and studying changes in the environment. The test bed also has the ability to monitor and track space borne objects, along with offering an inexpensive way to test instrumentation to be deployed on satellites. 

As the launch customer of the longer -10 variant, United is demonstrating their continued support in furthering SAF research. The 737 MAX 10, with the option for 10 more seats than the shorter -9, will reduce fuel emissions by 20% compared to the aircraft types it will replace, says Boeing.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

The post Boeing, NASA, United Partner on In-Flight SAF Study appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies has entered a partnership with Shoreline Aviation Inc., the FBO and airport management company at Marshfield Municipal Airport (KGHG) in Massachusetts to install the state’s first public access charging station for electric aircraft. The companies are also installing chargers for ground vehicles.

Local power company Eversource and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation [MassDOT] Aeronautics Division also assisted in completing the installation project, which includes two Level 3 fast chargers. One charger meant mainly for aircraft is inside the airport fence while the other is in the parking lot where drivers can access it for charging cars. There is also a Level 2 charger for ground vehicles. 

The Beta-designed charging stations are part of a broad plan to move toward electric transport throughout Massachusetts. The company said its growing network of chargers comprises 12 active locations in states including Vermont, Georgia, and Arkansas with more than 55 additional stations under development.

• READ MORE: Beta Technologies Opens Electric-Aircraft Assembly Plant in Vermont

“We’ve seen bikes, cars, trains, and nearly every other form of transportation go electric,” said Nate Ward, Beta’s head of charging network development. “Now aviation is beginning to make that shift, and charging infrastructure is a critical piece to making it a reality. We’re excited to be working with innovative partners like Shoreline Aviation, Eversource, and MassDOT, all of which have been forward-leaning in their support, making Massachusetts the next state to ready itself for the electric transportation future.”

Shoreline hosted an event on Friday to celebrate the opening of the charging station, which marks a step toward delivering a sustainable transportation future for Marshfield and the rest of the state, the companies said. 

During the event, the station provided its first charge to Beta’s Alia electric aircraft, which the company flew to Marshfield from its flight test center in Plattsburgh, New York.

The post Beta Technologies, Shoreline Aviation Partner with Massachusetts Agencies to Promote Electric Aviation appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter, our weekly look at the biggest stories in emerging aviation technology. From low-altitude drones to high-flying rockets at the edge of the atmosphere, we’ll take you on a tour of the modern flying world to help you make sense of it all.

Now for this week’s top story:

Hamas Used Drone Swarms to Overwhelm Israeli Defenses

What happened? After more than two years of fighting in Russia and Ukraine, the world has seen what drones are capable of on the battlefield. Naturally, it raises alarm bells when the technology ends up in the wrong hands, as was the case on Saturday when Hamas launched a terror attack on Israeli civilians, killing hundreds. Casualties have since risen to the thousands.

What Hamas is working with: In short, the terrorist group deployed a swarm of drones in conjunction with land and sea attacks to catch Israel’s defenses off guard. Drone technology from China’s DJI—and reportedly some developed with the help of Iran—was used to hit strategic targets (such as the country’s central base for counter-drone operations) and civilians.

Some of the technology—including powered hang gliders that were used to transport militants over Israel’s billion-dollar border wall—raised eyebrows for current and former intelligence officials, who claim the attacks would not have been possible without Iran’s support. Hezbollah and the Houthis, two other terrorist groups and Iran proxies, could also enter the conflict.

How Israel could respond: In addition to its border wall, Israel deploys counter-drone systems such as the Iron Dome, which is designed to shoot down projectiles over large, populated areas. But these systems were overwhelmed by thousands of Hamas drones, rendering them ineffective. The aerial distraction also enabled attacks on the ground and by sea.

However, with Hamas’ capabilities now known, some experts believe Israel could defend future assaults more effectively. Support from the U.S. may also move the needle. American officials have no plans to put boots on the ground, but the government will send ships, counter-drone technology, and munitions to assist the Israeli Defense Forces.

Quick quote: “Directly comparing the drones of each side is a bit like comparing rifles on each side. The U.S. M-16 was far superior to the AK-47, yet that did not yield a U.S. victory in the Vietnam War, for example […] What matters here is the accessibility of the technology (even in more primitive forms), and how well it is used,” professor Audrey Kurth Cronin, director of Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Security and Technology, told FLYING.

My take: Above all, Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli civilians validates what we’ve seen in Russia and Ukraine: In the wrong hands, drones can be a force for evil—and an effective one at that.

There are no easy answers here. The drones deployed by Hamas were small, cheap, plentiful, and likely designed or delivered by Iran. The fact that rudimentary technology could be used to such effect (and obtained rather easily from a widely sanctioned country) sets a dangerous precedent. Already, Israel has retaliated against thousands of civilian deaths by deploying its own swarms of drones, which have now killed more than 1,000 Palestinian civilians.

Though Hamas incited the growing conflict, regular people in both Israel and Palestine—through no fault of their own—are now threatened by sudden, deadly drone strikes. And with global superpowers now stockpiling the tiny aircraft, casualties of war may be more severe than ever.

Deep dive: Deadly Siege Marks Hamas’ Most Effective Use of Combat Drone Swarm

In Other News…

Wing Shows Us How It’s Delivered

What happened? If you follow me on X, formerly Twitter (@jack_daleo), you’ve seen me post about Wing and Walmart’s Dallas drone delivery service, which I got the chance to see in action last week at UP.Summit. But for the uninitiated, I posted a deep dive of the operation on FLYING Digital this week—here are the highlights.

How It’s Delivered: One thing that stood out to me—and that a spokesperson made sure to emphasize—was Wing’s ability to fit into Walmart’s workflows. The whole operation is run from a fenced area in the parking lot of a Supercenter, about the size of a tennis court. All Walmart associates need to do is pack orders and walk them over to the Wing staffers.

As for the drone delivery personnel, they didn’t have much to do either. The Wing system takes orders, assigns drones, plots flight plans, performs health checks, and responds to contingencies almost entirely on its own. Soon, the Wing Delivery Network and AutoLoader, which CEO Adam Woodworth detailed at UP.Summit, will add more autonomy to the service.

Deep dive: How It’s Delivered: Wing Gives Us a Glimpse of a Future With Drone Delivery

Archer Nabs Financing for ‘World’s Largest’ eVTOL Production Plant

What happened? Before ferrying passengers to and from airports in Chicago and the New York City metro area in partnership with United, Archer Aviation will first need to produce its eVTOL in numbers. Earlier this year, the firm broke ground on a mass manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. Now, it’s secured the funding—$65 million from Synovus Bank—to complete it.

Cheap volume: Initially, Archer’s facility is expected to span 350,000 square feet and produce up to 650 aircraft per year. That’s more than any of its competitors are planning to put out. Eventually, the company said the site could grow to 900,000 square feet, churning out over 2,000 Midnight eVTOLs annually.

Interestingly, Archer claims it will be able to do this while keeping production costs lower than those of its competitors. That’s because the firm leverages outside aerospace companies to supply the majority of Midnight’s components. Archer will need an FAA production certificate, which will follow Midnight type certification, to begin using the facility to its full potential.

Deep Dive: Archer Secures $65 Million in Financing for ‘World’s Largest’ eVTOL Production Plant

And a Few More Headlines:

• UP.Summit 2023 in Dallas wrapped up last week, but check out our roundup of the biggest headlines.

• NASA postponed an International Space Station spacewalk after discovering a leak on the orbital complex.

• Personal eVTOL manufacturer Applied eVTOL Concepts will certify its Epiphany Transporter (what a name!) as a light sport aircraft.

• Airspace security provider Dedrone introduced a solution to enable BVLOS drone first responder operations.

• The NFL and other sports leagues are dealing with a new threat: unlicensed drones flying over stadiums.

Spotlight on…

Pivotal

Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Boeing’s Wisk Aero, and other eVTOL air taxi companies are still years away from commercial service. That’s also true for the personal eVTOL space…with the exception of Pivotal, formerly Opener Aero.

Pivotal so far is the only eVTOL manufacturer to actually sell and deliver its aircraft to paying customers in the U.S.—in other words, they own the vehicle outright. For now, a half dozen customers own BlackFly, Pivotal’s preproduction design. But the company last week unveiled Helix, a scalable production model it hopes will become the first personal eVTOL on the market.

I got to fly a BlackFly simulator at UP.Summit in Dallas—the aircraft featured a single seat with joystick controllers on either armrest. That’s it, as far as flight controls go. UP.Summit attendees were also treated to a BlackFly demonstration flight, where the aircraft showed off transitions between vertical flight, hover, and cruise. Helix is expected to include more robust hardware and an upgraded propulsion system that will extend the aircraft’s range of uses.

Deep Dive: Opener Rebrands to Pivotal and Unveils Helix, Its First Scalable Production Aircraft

On the Horizon…

The FAA’s authority was recently extended through December 31, but that doesn’t mean FAA reauthorization is in the rearview mirror. The pressure is still on lawmakers to pass the House reauthorization bill, which calls for measures such as a final BVLOS drone rule and funding for advanced air mobility (AAM)-related activities.

On the topic of AAM, California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Calif.) that would create an AAM and Aviation Electrification Committee for the state. Its job would be to assess current state and federal laws and identify potential changes to ensure safe operations in California. Wisk, Archer, and other manufacturers have facilities in the state; some, such as Joby, plan to fly there.

Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation loosened its drone laws by removing the passport requirement for obtaining a remote pilot certificate. The move lowers the barrier to verification to encompass documents such as a photo ID or driver’s license, which should open the industry to more drone pilots.

Mark Your Calendars

Each week, I’ll be running through a list of upcoming industry events. The FAI World Drone Racing Championship wrapped up Monday in Seoul, South Korea, but here are a few conferences to keep an eye on:

• Intergeo 2023—Tuesday through Thursday in Berlin
• Dronitaly—Wednesday through Friday in Bologna, Italy
• World’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conference—November 12-14 in Jerusalem
• ICAO Drone Enable—December 5-7 in Montreal
• 11th Annual eVTOL Symposium—February 6-8 in Silicon Valley, California 
• AUVSI Xponential 2024—April 22-25 in San Diego 

Tweet of the Week

Want to see your tweet here next week? Have comments or feedback? Share your thoughts on X, formerly Twitter, and tag me (@jack_daleo)! Or check out FLYING’s media accounts:

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I want to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms about everything in the modern flying space, whether they’re about a new drone you just bought or the future of space exploration. Reach out to jack@flying.media or tweet me @jack_daleo with your thoughts.

The post In Israel and Gaza, Drones Change the Calculus of War appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

EasyJet signed a contract with Airbus for its carbon-removal initiative, becoming the first airline to do so.

The aerospace company’s technology, available through a program called the Airbus Carbon Capture Offer, uses direct air carbon capture and storage, or DACCS, that allows airlines to gain carbon removal credits and support the movement to decarbonize aviation.

DACCS uses fans and filtration to extract CO2 from the air so it can be stored in underground reservoirs. While CO2 emissions from aircraft operations cannot be eliminated at source, the companies said, an DACCS can remove an equivalent amount from the air. EasyJet and Airbus said the technology is complementary to other carbon reduction efforts including sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF.

• READ MORE: Rolls-Royce and EasyJet Join To Develop Aircraft Engines Using Hydrogen Combustion

 “Decarbonising a hard to abate sector, such as aviation, is a huge challenge and we believe carbon removal will play an important role in addressing our residual emissions in the future, complementing other components to help us achieve our pathway to net zero,” said Thomas Haagensen, group markets director at EasyJet. “Our ultimate aim is to achieve zero carbon emission flying and, as well as investing into important projects like direct air carbon capture technology, we are working with multiple partners—including Airbus—to accelerate the development of zero carbon emission aircraft technology.”

EasyJet was one of the first airlines to sign an agreement with Airbus in 2022 to negotiate regarding the possible pre-purchase of carbon removal credits. The credits EasyJet will receive through the deal with Airbus will last from 2026 to 2029, the companies said.

“EasyJet is a strong advocate of decarbonisation, for its operations and the wider aviation sector. This agreement demonstrates the airline’s willingness to extend its environmental commitment through Airbus’ Carbon Capture Offer,” said Julie Kitcher, executive vice president of communications, sustainability, and corporate affairs at Airbus. “Initiatives such as this one underline Airbus’ commitment to decarbonisation solutions for our industry and to, bringing together airlines and industry players from all sectors in order to build a sustainable aviation ecosystem.”

The post EasyJet Commits to Airbus Decarbonization Program appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter…with a twist! This week, I’m on-site in Dallas covering the UP.Summit, an annual, invite-only gathering of 300 of the transportation industry’s most dynamic, groundbreaking, and futuristic technology companies.

Among them are many of the same aircraft you’ve seen me highlight in this column each week, from drones, to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) designs, to spacecraft that have been to the International Space Station and back.

Among the attendees are former presidents and prime ministers, current state legislators and members of Congress, representatives from the Department of Defense, and CEOs and executives of some of the most disruptive companies in the industry, from Google’s Wing (and partner Walmart) to Volocopter to SpaceX.

Below you’ll find a roundup of the biggest announcements made during the three-day event, including from cutting-edge companies such as Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Sikorsky, Zipline, UP.Labs…and the list goes on and on. Without further ado, here’s what has come out of the event as Day 2 comes to a close:

Jetson Aero got seed funding…from the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am in a move that would come as quite a surprise if you haven’t followed the artist’s evolution over the years. The longtime frontman has invested in many a tech company over the years—and even launched and acquired a few of his own.

Now, will.i.am will attempt to make history by training to fly Jetson’s Jetson One, the firm’s single-seat personal eVTOL aircraft. The artist and entrepreneur would be one of the first on the planet to fly such a vehicle. Read more here.

Joby Aviation put pilots in the cockpit for the first time, advancing to crewed flight testing of its preproduction prototype eVTOL air taxi. Among those considered major eVTOL air taxi players (Archer Aviation, Lilium, Wisk Aero, and Volocopter to name a few), only Volocopter reached that milestone before Joby.

The next step for the manufacturer is “for credit” flight testing with the FAA, using a full-scale production prototype. The hope is for that to take place next year in time for a 2025 commercial launch with Delta Air Lines, beginning with air taxi routes in New York and Los Angeles. For a deeper dive, check out FLYING’s story from earlier this week. Meanwhile…

Archer got the ball rolling with the Air Force after the department paid out $1 million to the eVTOL firm, the first installment of what is expected to be many as part of its freshly signed contracts with AFWERX Agility Prime, worth up to $142 million. The payout was exchanged for a mobile flight simulator, which is now on its way to the Air Force.

The Air Force will train pilots to fly Archer’s Midnight eVTOL using the sim, familiarizing them with the aircraft and providing the company with valuable feedback on the pilot experience. And at an unspecified date, the company is expected to deliver up to six Midnight models to an as yet unnamed air force base. Here’s a deeper dive on that news.

Boeing’s Wisk Aero launched a flight test campaign in Los Angeles, bringing its Gen 5 autonomous air taxi, also known as Cora, to the City of Angels. CEO Brian Yutko said the company is the first eVTOL manufacturer to fly at a commercial airport in Los Angeles. He added that Wisk expects to fly its newer Gen 6 prototype for the first time in 2024.

“We’re flying at a dense urban airport with real-world autonomous operations at work, for the third time within this past year,” Yutko told FLYING at UP.Summit. “This is a step forward not only for our aircraft testing program, but for developing organizational skill at operating autonomous aircraft in complex environments.”

Sikorsky and startup Rain are automating firefighting in a collaboration that saw Rain equip a Sikorsky optionally piloted Black Hawk with its Wildfire Mission Autonomy System, taking the pilot out of the equation. The system automates just about every step of the process, from identification to dispatching to precision targeting of the blazes. Sikorsky’s Matrix autonomy suite beamed commands to the uncrewed Black Hawk.

The partnership hopes to improve response times and lower costs for firefighting companies, which are contending with an unprecedented number of blazes. More on that here.

UP.Labs and Alaska Airlines launched an incubator, with hopes of fostering six startups over the next three years. UP.Labs, a branch of UP.Partners (the host of UP.Summit), will launch the partnership with the airline in 2024.

The project will be called the Airline Venture Lab, and it’ll explore ways to address the greatest areas of friction in aviation, for both Alaska Airlines and the industry at large. Potential use cases include operational efficiency, guest experience, and the business of travel.

Reliable Robotics and the Air Force made a trio of positive findings after completing a large aircraft automation study. The partners found that the airframe they examined (which wasn’t named) could handle system upgrades without impacting remote pilot abilities. 

They also discovered that large, remotely piloted military aircraft can match the efficiency and flexibility of commercial aircraft, without the need to build a new airframe. Finally, Reliable found that its Remotely Operated Aircraft System (ROAS) could achieve the same levels of reliability required by the FAA while flying on larger airframes.

Beta Technologies opened its first electric-aircraft assembly plant in Vermont, which the company said will one day churn out 300 aircraft per year. The facility will build both the company’s eVTOL and its eCTOL (conventional takeoff and landing), which was revealed earlier this year.

The site spans 188,500 square feet and is located on a 40-acre plot of land at Burlington International Airport (KBTV), which will allow it to double in size in the future. FLYING’s Jonathan Welsh has the scoop.

Wing Drone Delivery is now serving customers in the Dallas area through a partnership with Walmart, announced in August. The agreement unites the largest retailer in the world and one of the largest corporations on the planet (Wing parent Alphabet) to deliver a variety of food and convenience items in minutes, straight to customers’ doorsteps, front yards, and more.

I’ll have more on this news Friday when I take a trip to the Dallas suburb of Frisco, where a Walmart Supercenter has been equipped to make Wing drone deliveries.

Personal eVTOL manufacturer Opener rebranded to Pivotal and launched Helix, its first scalable production aircraft. I got the chance to see the firm’s preproduction design, BlackFly, in action during a showcase Thursday morning. The aircraft showed off transitions between three phases of flight: vertical lift, forward cruise, and thrust-borne hover.

Helix will carry over many of the features of BlackFly, but it’s expected to have a more robust propulsion system, greater comfort, and possibly a higher payload capacity. A handful of customers are already flying the eVTOL, making it one of the earliest entries on the market.

Oh, and here’s the company’s BlackFly in action:

Still with me? Here are a few more quick hitters:

Elroy Air now Has 1,000 orders in its backlog for the Chaparral, its heavy-duty cargo delivery drone.

Regent raised $60 Million and partnered with Japan Airlines to develop a system for operations in the country with its all-electric seaglider.

Zipline partnered with Mendocino Farms to deliver sandwiches, salads, and more using its P2 drone delivery system.

And finally, Verge Aero unveiled the X7 Drone, an upgraded design which the company will use to perform drone light shows.

Bonus! Here are a few more photos from my first two days in Dallas:

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The post Flying Cars, Rocket Ships, Self-Piloting Drones and More Abound at UP.Summit 2023 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter, our weekly look at the biggest stories in emerging aviation technology. From low-altitude drones to high-flying rockets at the edge of the atmosphere, we’ll take you on a tour of the modern flying world to help you make sense of it all.

Now for this week’s top story:

Blue Origin Appoints Amazon’s Dave Limp as New CEO

What happened? As rivals SpaceX and Virgin Galactic dominate the commercial spaceflight sector, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has been grounded. Its pace of progress has slowed from a run to a walk to a limp. But perhaps the best way to correct a limp is with a Limp—Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon devices and services, to be specific.

Tumultuous tenure: Bezos hired Limp as CEO in part because of his “sense of urgency,” which hints at the billionaire businessman’s aims. Under current chief executive Bob Smith, Blue Origin completed the highly publicized maiden voyage of its New Shepard spaceship, ferrying Bezos and Star Trek icon William Shatner to the edge of the atmosphere.

Since then, the company has stalled. It made a few more commercial flights before a September 2022 crash prompted the FAA to bring down the hammer, grounding New Shepard indefinitely. Smith has also missed out on lucrative NASA and DOD contracts, struggled to launch the New Glenn super-heavy rocket, and faced accusations of a toxic workplace.

Changing of the guard: Bezos is probably hoping Limp is the catalyst Blue Origin needs to right the ship, both figuratively and literally. At Amazon, he was involved with Project Kuiper, a planned competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, and led ambitious projects such as Alexa, Echo, and FireTV. He also held executive positions with a pair of now-defunct technology firms.

Limp is not an aerospace expert by any means. But Bezos clearly trusts his ability to turn ideas into reality (it’s an open secret that Alexa and Echo were pet projects of his), and do it quickly. He’s certainly an upgrade over Smith, at least according to current employees, one of whom gave the less-than-glowing assessment, “Anything is better than Bob.”

Quick quote: “I’ve worked closely with [Limp] for many years. He is the right leader at the right time for Blue. Dave is a proven innovator with a customer-first mindset and extensive experience leading and scaling large, complex organizations. Dave has an outstanding sense of urgency, brings energy to everything, and helps teams move very fast,” Bezos wrote in a note to Blue Origin employees obtained by CNBC.

My take: When this news came across my radar, one thing in particular caught my attention: Bezos’ repeated emphasis on speed.

Reading too deeply into the public comments of a CEO is a dangerous game, but it’s easy to see why Bezos might prioritize quickness. Since New Shepard was grounded, SpaceX has launched thousands of satellites and ferried astronauts to and from the International Space Station with NASA. Virgin Galactic has now completed space tourism trips in back-to-back-to-back months. United Launch Alliance has made a handful of launches, too.

All of these competitors have leapfrogged Blue Origin—at least for now. Limp’s likely prerogative as new boss will be getting one of the company’s programs (New Shepard, New Glenn, the Blue Moon lander, or the Orbital Reef space station) into orbit quickly. New Shepard, for which the FAA just closed its mishap investigation, seems to be a likely candidate.

Deep dive: Can Blue Origin Course Correct With Amazon’s Dave Limp at the Helm?

In Other News…

Boosters Delivered to Kennedy Space Center for Artemis II Mission

What happened? About one year from now, NASA will send four astronauts around the moon and back. Before then, though, it needs to build the spacecraft that will carry them. That process appears set to begin soon, after contractor Northrop Grumman delivered 10 booster motor segments to Kennedy Space Station

Back to the moon: Artemis III, tentatively planned for 2025, would mark humanity’s return to the moon for the first time since Apollo 17 more than half a century ago. Before that, Artemis II will serve as a litmus test—if it succeeds, the agency will move to the next step. The mission will be flown with the Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy lift rocket and the Orion spacecraft.

Northrop provided segments for the SLS’s twin solid rocket boosters, which will generate 8.8 million pounds of thrust and help Orion reach 24,500 mph on its way to the moon. Now, the parts are being evaluated and are expected to be stacked in February. NASA also added four RS-25 engines to the rocket’s core stage last week. But concerns the project will fall behind schedule persist.

Deep dive: Booster Delivery Marks NASA Artemis II Moon Mission Milestone

VI&E Solutions, Ace VTOL Look to Add 700 Vertiports in Oceania

What happened? As more electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designs hit the market, they’ll need a place to land. Enter Volatus Infrastructure and Energy Solutions (VI&E): The vertiport company partnered with eVTOL manufacturer Ace VTOL to build a network of 700 vertiports in Australia, New Zealand, and other countries in the region.

Global dominance? The vertiport industry will rely on the development of another industry, eVTOL aircraft, for scale. But when those wacky-looking aircraft finally hit the skies, VI&E is in position to capitalize. The company is planning four U.S. vertiport projects for 2024 and will look to add more through partnerships with regional aviation real estate developers.

Of greater consequence, perhaps, are the company’s plans beyond the U.S. It has agreements with eVTOL manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and regulatory authorities in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and more. Already, that gives it a global footprint, with which the likes of Ferrovial Vertiports, Groupe ADP, and other rivals will need to compete.

Deep Dive: VI&E Solutions, Ace VTOL Plan to Add 700 Vertiports in Oceania Region

And a Few More Headlines:

• NATO is set to adopt the U.K. Ministry of Defense’s SAPIENT protocol as a standard for counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS).

• VoltAero made what it says is the first flight of an electric aircraft running on 100 percent sustainable fuel…made from wine waste.

• In another milestone flight, Beta Technologies’ electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft crossed the border from New York to Montreal.

• The FAA announced a $300 million allocation for net-zero goal projects, such as sustainable aviation fuels infrastructure.

• The agency also proposed a rule to limit debris from commercial space vehicles.

Spotlight on…

Horizon Aircraft

[Courtesy: Horizon Aircraft]

Air taxi manufacturers Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Lilium, and EHang share one core tenet: They will only build 100 percent electric aircraft. Horizon Aircraft raises an eyebrow in response.

Rather than go full-electric, the Canadian company built a hybrid eVTOL which relies on a gas-powered range extender that charges its batteries during flight. Like the firms above, Horizon plans to use it for regional air taxi routes, as well as for medical evacuation, critical supply delivery, and commercial cargo services.

The company’s aircraft may not achieve the same emissions reductions as its rivals. But the Cavorite X7, a newly announced model that will replace its flagship Cavorite X5 (pictured above), is expected to have a greater range, speed, and useful load than all of them. Plus, with seven seats, it projects as one of the highest occupancy eVTOL designs out there. Keep an eye on this one.

Deep Dive: Horizon Aircraft Announces Plans for 7-Seat Hybrid eVTOL Design

On the Horizon…

No one likes a government shutdown. But the one currently looming could be a real doozy for the FAA. That’s because Saturday marks the deadline for FAA reauthorization, and a funding bill has yet to pass both houses of Congress. In short, this could be a disaster.

Commercial and passenger airlines will still fly. But air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration personnel, and FAA staff will work without pay. What’s more, training for ATC learning the ropes will be put on hold, potentially exacerbating an existing shortage. Airport infrastructure investments, FAA rulemaking, and facility security inspections will all go on pause.

For our purposes, the shutdown would also prevent the passage of key incentives for the drone and advanced air mobility (AAM) industries, which are included in the House FAA reauthorization bill. These include provisions such as a timeline for a final beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone law and permanent rules for AAM operations.

The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) proposal the FAA submitted in July is another piece of rulemaking that could be put on hold. Comments on that document will close October 23, less than a month from now (mark your calendars!). But the agency won’t be able to begin the process to address them through rulemaking until a shutdown ends.

Mark Your Calendars

Each week, I’ll be running through a list of upcoming industry events. DroneX 2023 wrapped up Wednesday in London, but here are a few conferences to keep an eye on:

• Airtaxi World Congress—October 2-5 in San Francisco
• UP.Summit—October 4-6 in Dallas 
• FAI World Drone Racing Championship—October 6-9 near Seoul, South Korea
• Intergeo 2023—October 10-12 in Berlin
• Dronitaly—October 11-13 in Bologna, Italy
• World’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conference—November 12-14 in Jerusalem

Tweet of the Week

Want to see your tweet here next week? Have comments or feedback? Share your thoughts on Twitter and tag me (@jack_daleo)! Or check out FLYING’s media accounts:

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I want to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms about everything in the modern flying space, whether they’re about a new drone you just bought or the future of space exploration. Reach out to jack@flying.media or tweet me @jack_daleo with your thoughts.

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The post Can Dave Limp Correct Blue Origin’s Limping Pace? appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Diamond Aircraft said one of its DA42-VI light twins recently flew for the first time using sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, at the Bremen Airport (EDDW) in Germany.

The company said the airplane, which is part of the training fleet of European Flight Academy—an operation under Lufthansa Aviation Training—flew circuits around the airport after a period of testing and preparation involving Diamond, LAT, and the engine manufacturer Austro Engine.

Bremen Airport was chosen for the demonstration flight in part because it is among the first airports in Germany to stock SAF provided by World Fuel Services. The fuel is refined from oil waste, aquatic plants, and soil-based plants in Ghent, Belgium. The process includes hydrogenating the oils and fats prior to refining them in a manner similar to fossil fuels, Diamond said.

• READ MORE: Neste Makes Deal to Boost SAF Availability in Southern California

The joint event marked the beginning of extensive testing with blended SAF aimed at making flight training for Lufthansa pilots more sustainable. Results of the current testing will help determine whether SAF can eventually become the sole fuel for the European Flight Academy, the companies said.

 “I am very pleased that we are all standing here together today and are able to witness this test flight of one of our European Flight Academy training aircraft, fueled for the first time with SAF,” said Birgit Bubelach, head of training services at Lufthansa Aviation Training. “This has been made possible by our long-standing good partnership with the airport operator as well as the fuel supplier here at Bremen Airport, who, at our request and without hesitation, were available to our training aircraft manufacturer Diamond and its engine manufacturer Austro Engine for the testing of SAF for their engines.”

• READ MORE: Aviate Academy Orders Diamond DA42-VI Twin-Engine Trainers

Diamond Aircraft and Austro Engine said they anticipate increasing the availability of SAF blends as a “drop-in” fuel for general aviation and releasing the entire fleet to use the blended fuel by the end of 2025. “Significant market penetration of SAFs is expected by 2030 and availability of 100 percent pure SAFs without blending for 2050,” the companies said.

The post Diamond DA42 Twin Makes First SAF Flight appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Neste said it is working with Vopak, a company specializing in energy industry infrastructure, to expand its capability to supply renewable fuels to customers on the West Coast of the United States.

Neste has commissioned storage capacity at Vopak’s Los Angeles terminal for Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF, and Neste MY Renewable Diesel. The company said the fuel-storage arrangement marks a significant step toward making Neste’s renewable fuels more readily available in the Southern California region.

• READ MORE: ICAO Marks First Certification of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Under CORSIA Standard

The Vopak terminal’s location in the vast Port of Los Angeles will aid Neste strategically in connecting with fuel logistics via vessels, barges, trucks, and pipelines. The location also will help boost the flow of Neste’s renewable fuels to customers at area hubs like airlines requiring SAF at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) and critical hubs in the LA Angeles area, such as SAF for airlines at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and renewable diesel for road vehicles.

• READ MORE: Neste Delivers More than 500,000 Gallons of SAF to LAX

“Neste is fully committed to supporting the energy transition in the U.S. as well as globally by working closely together with partners to increase the availability of our renewable fuels,” said Annika Tibbe, acting president for Neste U.S. “Our cooperation with Vopak shows how repurposing existing fuel distribution infrastructure can accelerate the much-needed transition to renewable energy. California has been at the forefront of adopting and endorsing climate-friendly policies and solutions. We are glad to enable more cities, businesses, and individual travelers in the state to take advantage of Neste’s renewable solutions to reduce their emissions and help fight against climate change.”

• READ MORE: Neste to Provide DHL with 105 Million Gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Said Maria Ciliberti, Vopak president United States and Canada: “We are proud to serve Neste. Repurposing Vopak’s assets from oil and traditional fossil fuel products to low-carbon energy solutions is right on target with our strategy. We are happy that our services and infrastructure have been selected and are committed to being a part of the Los Angeles energy transition.”

The post Neste Makes Deal to Boost SAF Availability in Southern California appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Airbus Helicopters unveiled the PioneerLab, a twin-engine technology demonstrator, during the German National Aviation Conference in Hamburg.

The company said the purpose of the demonstrator, which is based on its H145 helicopter platform, is to test technologies that reduce helicopter emissions and make use of bio-based materials—both in its fuel as well as structural components.

• READ MORE: Airbus Helicopters’ Diesel H120 First Flight Test Successful

“With PioneerLab, we continue our ambitious strategy to test and mature new technologies on board our helicopter demonstrators,” said Tomasz Krysinski, head of research and innovation programs at Airbus Helicopters. “PioneerLab, which is based in Germany at our Donauwörth site, will be our platform to test technologies specifically dedicated to twin-engine helicopters.”

One of the company’s goals with  the PioneerLab is to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent compared with a conventional H145. The expected reduction reflects the demonstrator’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and a number of aerodynamic improvements.

• READ MORE: SMS for Helicopters

The company also plans to use the demonstrator to flight-test structural parts that are made from bio-based and recycled materials to reduce the aircraft’s environmental footprint. Airbus Helicopters said it intends to produce the new parts using processes that consume less material and energy while improving recyclability.

The test program will also include integration of the latest digital light control technologies aimed at increasing autonomy and safety during takeoff, landing, and other critical phases of flight.

The PioneerLab’s flight test program has begun at the manufacturer’s largest German site in Donauwörth. A rotor strike alerting system was the first item aboard the demonstrator. The next testing phase will include an automated takeoff and landing system.

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The application window is now open for $300 million in federal aviation grants earmarked for projects that will support sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) infrastructure and low-emission aviation technology, the FAA announced Monday. 

The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, described as the largest climate investment in history, according to the FAA.

“We have a need for speed in this race, and thanks to President [Joe] Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have more resources than ever before to accelerate this critical work,” said Laurence Wildgoose, FAA assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment. “We look forward to receiving applications that can help accelerate the use of high-integrity SAF and the development of powerful, low-emission aviation technologies.” 

The new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST)-SAF grants will be given to entities that focus on the production, transport, and blending of sustainable aviation fuels.

Airports, air carriers, universities, aviation and aerospace companies, state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations are eligible for the grants to develop the technology designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve aircraft fuel efficiency, and increase the usage of SAF.

How to Apply 

The competitive grant process opened Monday. The FAA’s target for the first round of grant awards is mid-2024. More information about how to apply may be found here.

The U.S. aviation industry has set a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

• READ MORE: FAA Awards $92M for Airport Net-Zero Emission Goals

To achieve it, the FAA has awarded over $100 million to various entities to develop and implement technologies to reduce the fuel burn, emissions, and noise in the aircraft industry. Among the avenues under consideration are the development of scalable and sustainable electric-powered aircraft and other airport vehicles.

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According to researchers at the University of California-Davis Department of Food Science and Technology, the equivalent of 3 in 10 grapes initially collected for winemaking end up going to waste. Most aviation companies would see that statistic and think nothing of it.

Royan, France-based VoltAero isn’t most aviation companies. The firm on Thursday announced it completed what it claims is an industry first. This week, it flew a hybrid-electric aircraft powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from partner TotalEnergies Aviation—fuel derived from bioethanol produced from the waste created by French vineyards.

The flight took off from VoltAero’s development facility in Royan, using the company’s Cassio S testbed airplane—a modified Cessna 337 Skymaster—equipped with a proprietary hybrid-electric powertrain. It ran on TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100 fuel, which since 2022 has been used in automobile competitions such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance sports car race.

Compared to the fossil fuel equivalent, VoltAero said the vineyard-derived fuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 65 percent over its entire lifecycle and that it will “significantly lower” operating costs. It’s certified as a 100 percent sustainable product according to a mass balance system applied by a voluntary, European Union-approved certification body.

“Based on initial results, we calculated a truly impressive CO2 reduction of approximately 80 percent while operating the Cassio powertrain in its electric-hybrid mode and with the internal combustion engine fueled by TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100,” said Jean Botti, CEO and chief technology officer of VoltAero. “It underscores the opportunity for production Cassio aircraft to represent a major step closer to aviation’s decarbonization goals by replacing standard Avgas 100 high-octane fuel for aviation piston engines.”

The company added that its goal was to validate its powertrain with SAF, “thereby derisking airworthiness certification” for Cassio aircraft in development. It’s been testing hybrid-electric aircraft for years, starting in 2020 with the Cassio 1 testbed, which made two crossings of the English Channel the following year.

“This demonstration flight is part of our commitment to support players in the aviation sector for their decarbonization objectives,” said Joël Navaron, president of TotalEnergies. “More broadly, it demonstrates our desire to continue our research and development efforts to offer an alternative to aviation gasoline containing lead, thereby meeting the challenges of general aviation’s decarbonization.”

VoltAero was originally part of Airbus’s E-Fan project, which ran from 2014 to 2017. Botti previously served as CTO of Airbus and led the program’s research. But he asserted in a 2020 Q&A that on Cassio designs “there’s nothing carried over from the E-Fan apart from the knowledge gained from the years of working on E-Fan.”

Designed with a modular fuselage that can be reconfigured for a variety of use cases, VoltAero’s Cassio models are expected to be flown by regional commercial operations, air taxi and air charter companies, and private owners. They’ll also be used for utility services such as cargo or postal delivery and medical evacuations.

How It’s Made

The company’s first production aircraft is the Cassio 330. It will be flown by a single pilot with space for four or five passengers and rely on 330 kilowatts of hybrid-electric propulsion power. VoltAero pulled back the curtain on the first Cassio 330 prototype at the Paris Air Show in June, and the firm expects to fly it for the first time this year.

At the tail end of Cassio 330 flight testing, the company will roll out a second prototype, which is expected to take off in the second quarter of 2024. The upcoming model will feature an avionics suite from Avidyne, including its Quantum 14-inch displays for single-pilot operations and advanced connectivity.

The 330 will eventually be joined by the Cassio 480, a six-seat version with 480 kilowatts of propulsion power. Further out is the Cassio 600, an even larger design for 10 to 12 passengers with—you guessed it—600 kilowatts of power. Both designs will be larger than the 330 and feature retractable landing gear.

All three models are expected to be built around an aluminum airframe, with a forward fixed canard and aft-set wings with twin booms to support the aircraft’s high-set horizontal tail. They’ll use electric motors in the aft fuselage-mounted hybrid propulsion unit to deliver fully electric power during taxi, takeoff, landing, and primary flight—so long as that distance is less than 93 sm (81 nm).

The Cassio family’s propulsion power unit is made by combining a 4-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine and a Safran ENGINeUS smart electric motor, with peak power ratings of 165 kilowatts and 180 kilowatts, respectively. It combines 300-kilowatt internal combustion engine power with a trio of 60-kilowatt electric motors for a total output of 480 kilowatts. French company Akira Technologies will lead the integration and validation of the unit.

Like other hybrid designs, the propulsion system’s hybrid feature will use the internal combustion engine as a range extender. The module will recharge the aircraft’s batteries during flight, and it can serve as a backup in case of an issue on the electric propulsion side. 

In full hybrid mode, Cassio 330 is expected to reduce emissions by 20 percent versus comparable aircraft. That jumps to 100 percent in full electric mode. Notably, the power requirement for ground charging VoltAero’s initial design is only 380 volts, which the company said is available at most airports.

Cassio 330 will have a flight duration of three and a half hours (which could rise to five with the range extender), a range of 800 sm (695 nm) and a cruise speed of 200 knots. It’ll be able to take off and land with less than 1,800 feet of runway. And with its 2.5 metric ton maximum takeoff weight, the aircraft is classified as a CS-23 normal-category airplane under European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations.

The first Cassio 330 models will be assembled at VoltAero’s “purpose built” facility at Rochefort Charente-Maritime Airport (LFDN) in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

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Hello, and welcome to the Future of FLYING newsletter, our weekly look at the biggest stories in emerging aviation technology. From low-altitude drones to high-flying rockets at the edge of the atmosphere, we’ll take you on a tour of the modern flying world to help you make sense of it all.

Now for this week’s top story:

Joby Picks Ohio Over California for First Manufacturing Plant

What happened? The city council of Marina, California, will be sorely disappointed. The town, home to Joby’s pilot production line, was passed over as the site of the company’s first full-scale manufacturing facility. The plant will eventually produce 500 air taxi units every year and is expected to create some 2,000 jobs. It could one day encompass 2 million square feet.

Scaling up: The Ohio site at the Dayton International Airport (KDAY) will be funded by a $500 million investment from Joby mixed with incentives from state and local groups. It could also qualify for the Department of Energy’s Title XVII loan guarantee program as a clean energy project. Toyota, Joby’s biggest backer, will advise the company on the road to mass production.

The facility won’t be fully operational until 2025. But it will be an invaluable piece of the puzzle for a company looking to get its air taxis buzzing over major U.S. cities such as New York and Los Angeles by 2025. Beyond that, the FAA is eyeing scaled electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

A blow to Marina: Joby’s Marina facility just rolled out the company’s first eVTOL aircraft production model in June. But while the company reportedly has plans to continue expanding in California, the heartbeat of its manufacturing activities will be in Ohio. Detroit and North Carolina were also considered.

Ohio is considered the birthplace of aviation—the Wright brothers lived and worked there, and Dayton, the site of the facility, is also home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the headquarters of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), which has been a key partner for Joby.

Quick quote: “We’re building the future of aviation right where it all started, in Dayton, Ohio,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “The Wright brothers harnessed revolutionary technology of their time to open up the skies, and we intend to do the same—this time, bringing quiet and emissions-free flight that we hope will have an equally profound impact on our world.” 

My take: The Wright brothers would probably cower in fear if they saw Joby’s eVTOL in the skies. But their old stomping ground was likely an ideal choice for Joby.

The Air Force presence is huge. In June, Joby agreed to ship nine eVTOLs to Edwards Air Force Base in California, part of its three-year, $131 million contract with AFWERX, the department’s innovation arm. Don’t be shocked if Wright-Patterson is the next military installation to follow suit.

Outside that, Dayton International Airport gives the company tons of room to work with. The plant is initially slated to take up around 580,000 square feet, but the airfield is big enough for that to nearly quadruple in size as production scales up. Plus, the backing of state and local stakeholders such as JobsOhio doesn’t hurt. For this to work, the local community needs to be on board.

In all, it’s a positive step for Joby, which remains on track to be one of the earliest entrants into the advanced air mobility (AAM) space.

Deep dive: Joby Passes On California, Picks Ohio for First Scaled eVTOL Manufacturing Plant 

In Other News…

Beta Technologies Chargers Headed to the Air Force

What happened? Beta is the alpha when it comes to installing eVTOL chargers on air force bases. The company agreed to send its proprietary system to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, marking the first time the Air Force has deployed the tech at a base. Notably, the chargers aren’t just for Beta aircraft, one of which is also being sent to Eglin—they’ll work on just about any electric vehicle.

You’ve heard of eVTOL…: …but how about eCTOL? That stands for electric conventional  takeoff and landing and is the description Beta applied to its recently launched CX300 electric airplane. Interestingly, that’s the model being sent to Eglin rather than the flagship Alia-250 eVTOL the company has been building for years.

It’s unclear whether that was Beta’s decision or the Air Force’s. But it’s notable that one or the other is interested in experimenting with the eCTOL variant over the original. That could simply be due to timing—the conventional takeoff design is expected to fly before its eVTOL counterpart.

Deep dive: Beta Technologies Will Deliver Electric Aircraft Chargers to Air Force Base

Zipline the Latest Drone Delivery Player to Receive BVLOS Approval

What happened? South San Francisco-based Zipline is the fourth in a string of drone delivery firms to receive FAA approval for operations beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot. Phoenix Air Unmanned, UPS Flight Forward, and uAvionix are the other three—all four will serve to simplify the BVLOS grant process, according to the FAA.

The rich get richer: If you follow the industry, you know this is a big deal. But if you’re wondering what all the hubbub is about: Since U.S. drone operators are required to monitor the airspace along routes using visual observers, the ability to fly beyond their purview could double or even triple Zipline’s service area. In addition, it cuts costs to make the entire operation more efficient.

Zipline was arguably the undisputed top dog of drone delivery prior to this approval, having completed three-quarter of a million deliveries. Now, it can expand its operations and extend its dominance.

Deep Dive: Zipline Drone Delivery Secures Latest BVLOS Approval in Wave of FAA Exemptions

And a Few More Headlines:

• eVTOL manufacturer Lilium began assembly of the first of seven fuselages for the aircraft it will use to obtain type certification.

• Honeywell and the U.S. Department of Energy are developing hydrogen fuel storage for long-range drones.

• The FAA accepted Universal Hydrogen’s supplemental type certificate bid to convert ATR 72 regional airliners.

• Volatus Infrastructure and Energy Solutions launched a Series A investment campaign headed by Silicon Prairie.

• Japanese eVTOL maker SkyDrive received a preorder for up to 50 aircraft from a Korean aircraft leaser.

Spotlight on…

Land Rotor

I’m tying this feature to the news that Land Rotor is now partnered with eVTOL dealership (yes, like a car dealership) Aeroauto in an agreement worth up to $700 million. The company has a pretty neat looking personal aircraft that is designed to hover above city streets or soar over skyscrapers. However, I think its path to market is even more interesting.

Land Rotor is betting on a very unique idea: the Drone Ride. The concept is simple—at amusement parks around the world, the company will tether its eVTOL to the ground inside a building and allow thrill seeking guests to take it for a simulated test ride.

But the thinking behind it, in my opinion, is borderline genius. Not only does the Drone Ride help familiarize the general public with a novel (and in its view, potentially dangerous) aircraft type. It also allows Land Rotor to essentially crowdsource testing and development: Each ride will give the company data on performance and the health of the aircraft’s components. And because this is all being done in a controlled environment, it avoids the risk regulators seek to avoid with strict regulations around testing. However, that testing won’t count toward FAA certification.

I know, this sounds a little out there, but Land Rotor is very serious about the concept. The company is installing the first drone ride in Orlando, sandwiched between Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Eventually, it expects to have attractions installed worldwide before it begins selling to the commercial market.

Deep Dive: Aeroauto Agrees to Distribute Land Rotor eVTOL in Deal Worth Up to $700M

Mark Your Calendars

Each week, I’ll be running through a list of upcoming industry events. Here are a few conferences to keep an eye on:

• DroneX 2023—September 26-27 in London
• World Aviation Festival—September 26-28 in Lisbon, Portugal
• Airtaxi World Congress—October 2-5 in San Francisco
• UP.Summit—October 4-6 in Dallas 
• FAI World Drone Racing Championship—October 6-9 near Seoul, South Korea
• Intergeo 2023—October 10-12 in Berlin
• Dronitaly—October 11-13 in Bologna, Italy
• World’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conference—November 12-14 in Jerusalem

Tweet of the Week

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I want to hear your questions, comments, concerns, and criticisms about everything in the modern flying space, whether they’re about a new drone you just bought or the future of space exploration. Reach out to jack@flying.media or tweet me @jack_daleo with your thoughts.

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Orlando, Florida, is an amusement park goer’s dream. But nestled between two of the city’s top destinations is a ride like no other.

Sandwiched by Universal Studios and SeaWorld, the Drone Ride, currently under development, will be operated by Orlando-based flying sports car manufacturer Land Rotor. The attraction will feature a prototype of the company’s advanced air mobility (AAM) Sportster—unveiled in full last week—tethered to the ground inside a building. But the vehicle won’t be boxed in for long.

On Monday, Land Rotor and Aeroauto, a Palm Beach, Florida-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft dealership, signed an exclusive distribution agreement to deliver up to 10,000 Sportsters globally by 2030. At around $70,000 per unit, the deal could be worth up to $700 million.

At the moment, no money is changing hands. But Land Rotor has made a firm commitment to deliver 10,000 Sportsters to Aeroauto through 2030.

“Those are aggressive figures,” Thomas-John Veilleux, founder and CEO of Land Rotor, told FLYING. “But we think they’re very tangible based on market conditions and consumer interest in the price point that we’re aiming at.”

Veilleux, an aviator for more than 30 years who got his start flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, founded a pair of drone firms, Maine UAV and FireDroneUSA, before deciding to put down roots into the AAM space with Land Rotor.

Low and Slow

Land Rotor’s business model is one of the most intriguing in the entire AAM space.

At the moment, it’s twofold. The company is working toward mass producing sports recreation vehicles for the consumer market, both for offroad and “street legal” use cases. Before that, though, it will focus on a surprising core market: amusement parks.

While eVTOL air taxi operators such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation are eyeing urban air mobility routes in cities like New York and Chicago by 2025, Land Rotor is taking a more deliberate approach—one Veilleux characterizes as “low and slow.”

“The Ford Model A wasn’t a Ferrari,” he said. “Those early cars were low and slow and underpowered. And that was never Henry Ford’s motivation, to produce a race car early on. He saw the need to sell consumers on something that was low and slow and affordable.”

Veilleux and his team came up with the Drone Ride concept shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The idea was to take the risk out of product development. Veilleux said Land Rotor could have been selling prototypes, but it opted not to because of safety concerns and a lack of policy and education around AAM.

“We really need that to be safe,” he said. “That comes before profit.”

To ensure that’s the case, Land Rotor tethered its prototype to the floor of an FAA-approved building and will soon begin offering rides to thrill-seeking customers. The controlled environment will not only help the company skirt testing requirements but will allow it to use riders as pseudo-test pilots, collecting data on each simulated jaunt to assess the health of the Sportster’s components.

With an audience already in place at these amusement park venues, Land Rotor is able to install its tech and immediately get eyes on it.

“It gives us the ability to test the equipment and rack up lots and lots of hours as a laboratory of sorts indoors,” said Veilleux. “So we can track flight hours and log various components for time between overhaul and maintenance schedules.”

The unique strategy won’t be limited to Orlando. The company plans to install more rides in New York City, Las Vegas, and Houston, as well as outside the U.S. in Mexico, Canada, the U.K., and several markets in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific Region. 

The attractions will provide some revenue. But Veilleux said the real benefits will be the ability to test components and popularize the experience the vehicle can provide. To that last point, he compared the Drone Ride to Disney World’s Soarin’ attraction.

“It’s nothing more than an IMAX theater,” Veilleux said. “You go in and you sit in this chair and it lifts you up. And the ride, it tilts you and there’s wind in your hair, and it’s just an incredible, immersive experience. And it’s really nothing more than a huge elevator chair that lifts you up. But the ride isn’t called an elevator chair—it is called Soarin’, because they’re not selling the technology. What they’re selling is the experience.”

Veilleux told FLYING Land Rotor has a five-year growth strategy for the Drone Ride, eyeing launches in 14 major cities.

Aeroauto’s Job

Aeroauto, meanwhile, will handle all sales of Sportster aircraft and provide maintenance, distribution, and flight training services when the time comes. It’ll also connect customers with charging stations, landing areas, storage facilities, and whatever infrastructure they need to get flying. Strategic partnerships will add insurance and financing options to the equation.

The eVTOL dealer sells both personal and commercial aircraft from China’s EHang, as well as recreational models from Ace VTOL, Air EV, and others. Sean Borman, president and CEO of Aeroauto, said the Sportster is in the ultralight category shared by designs from manufacturers such as Jetson or Ryse Aerotech, so it must conform to the same speed, weight, capacity, and height requirements as its other portfolio aircraft. However, he said Land Rotor’s aesthetic design and comparatively low price point will drive sales.

“Jetson, for example, has 3,000 pre orders already, and they’ve just started doing their production,” Borman told FLYING. “And I foresee just as much or more desire and need and want for the Land Rotor [Sportster].”

Aeroauto has an agreement with Volatus Infrastructure to add eVTOL chargers and other systems to its showrooms. And through a partnership with airport RV rental company Fly2RV, it can tap into a network of FBOs to allow customers to purchase, test fly, and service vehicles at their local airfields.

“The customer, when they walk in with nothing, walks out before they leave and has everything that they need, with a schedule set up to have everything delivered once the vehicle is available,” Borman said.

Borman added that the company’s ability to distribute 10,000 Sportster units “shouldn’t be an issue.” He pointed specifically to the Fly2RV agreement, which encompasses more than 100 FBOs and is expected to grow.

The firm operates a handful of facilities in Florida. But it expects to have more dealerships worldwide by 2030, with plans to expand to Texas and interest from customers in California, India, Italy, Colombia, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates. If Borman’s words are any indication, Land Rotor will be a big selling point for that network.

“In my humble opinion, John and Land Rotor are going to be the Henry Ford of this new technology, of these flying cars, AAM,” he said. “You know, really being able to bring these vehicles to the masses on a grand scale, pricing it to the point that anybody can get one.”

The Sportster’s Specs

Land Rotor’s Sportster is designed to glide over roads like a rotorcraft, using lidar technology that keeps it close to the ground until flight conditions enable a legal, safe takeoff. The current prototype is not yet permitted to hover over the street, but Veilleux said that’s the ultimate goal.

“Everybody loves their ATVs,” he said. “And we thought, well, this is an air terrain vehicle, essentially, that we’re creating. It’s like a modern ATV.”

Initial Sportster models will be powered by lithium-ion batteries. Currently, the aircraft requires three hours of charge for just less than an hour of flight at empty weight, which Veilleux acknowledged is not ideal. However, the plan is to improve efficiency by swapping batteries for hydrogen or hybrid propulsion systems using biofuels.

The aircraft has a redundant electrical system, relying on four motors to lift a single 200-pound passenger. Another four motors allow any one of the main propellers to fail.

Its machined aluminum frame is surrounded by a carbon-fiber body, featuring a small windshield, which Veilleux admitted was added in part to make the vehicle “sexy.” A sweeping aerodynamic nose also has aesthetic appeal.

Land Rotor is working on a patent that would limit the aircraft’s forward and sideways movement, eliminating the 360 degrees of freedom associated with drones to ensure it operates more like a car on the road. The Sportster is also GPS-governed to max out at 50 mph and remain in ground effect. Those restrictions may limit use cases, but they could also tear down barriers for flight training.

The current prototype falls under the FAA’s Part 103 compliance for experimental aircraft.

“This is the closest thing to the Star Wars landspeeder that we’ve really ever seen, because the vehicle can stay on the ground,” Veilleux said. “So it is very plausible that we could work with the government in outfitting this vehicle to be legally used on the roads. So we currently are not authorized to do that, but that is the vision of it.”

Perhaps the most exciting thing about Sportster, though, is its affordability. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $70,000, it’s comparable to a Tesla or an electric pickup or SUV.

“From what we’ve seen, that’s the lowest priced vehicle in the industry at the moment,” said Borman.

Veilleux didn’t directly compare himself to Ford as Borman did. But he did point to the similarities between the auto pioneer’s mission and Land Rotor’s. Just as Ford needed to convince the public to give up horses and buggies for those newfangled horseless carriages, Veilleux’s task is the same.

“That’s what we’re trying to do here is educate the public about electric air mobility, and we certainly want to make it accessible and more affordable and safe,” he said. “And so it is our hope that Land Rotor will be that pioneer that connects with audiences and people. All the companies are saying, ‘Hey, look at our amazing innovations.’…but nobody’s really, really connecting with the consumer in the way Henry Ford did.”

Replicating Ford’s success will be a monumental task. But as things stand, Veilleux predicted the first Sportster production model could be on display in an Aeroauto showroom in the next two years.

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The Flash doesn’t get his superspeed from hydrogen fuel, but the U.S. Department of Energy’s FLASH project promises to explore new avenues for the emerging fuel source.

FLASH—which stands for Fuel Additives for Solid Hydrogen Carriers in Electric Aviation—is the DOE’s latest hydrogen-related initiative. The project will see the department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and aerospace and defense titan Honeywell collaborate on a prototype hydrogen fuel storage system for long-range drones.

But while most hydrogen fuel is stored as a gas or liquid, the partners are eyeing a mechanism to store solid hydrogen. The material could be quickly burned off to produce the element’s gaseous form, allowing uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) fuel cells to convert it to electric power.

The yearlong collaboration is expected to result in the development of a hydrogen fuel cartridge, which Honeywell could deploy on its application platforms. The company develops other solid-state cartridge systems for UAVs, but it’ll look to boost their performance through low-temperature, fast-release technology from FLASH.

Honeywell will provide technological expertise, fuel cartridge testing, supply chain support, and fuel cell prototyping and evaluation for the project. NREL in FLASH’s first phase “will provide technical expertise on FLASH formulations, fabrication, and characterization of the hydrogen fuel storage.”

The project’s ultimate goal is to mature new hydrogen carrier tech within the DOE Energy Materials Network’s Hydrogen Materials Advanced Research Consortium (HyMARC) project. HyMARC is focused specifically on providing clean, affordable hydrogen.

“This is a dream project for a national lab researcher,” said Steve Christensen, one of the NREL leads on the project proposal. “Honeywell has already built and tested devices that can use our materials, giving us the chance to drop our technology directly into their systems and move this promising drone fuel toward commercialization through collaborative research and development.”

Christensen added that the DOE hopes the technologies developed through FLASH “result in a market application.”

The initiative is funded by NREL, Honeywell, and the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office through the Technology Commercialization Fund. The fund is strapped with $62 billion in allocations through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and supports a range of clean energy projects.

FLASH specifically is focused on developing a solid substance that could release hydrogen gas. NREL and Honeywell said the material has a high hydrogen capacity and can be operated at low temperatures. The idea is to provide a continuous supply of hydrogen that can be converted to electricity to enable low-noise, zero-emission, long-range flights.

“This class of materials is remarkably tunable and therefore highly versatile to industrial hydrogen delivery requirements,” said Noemi Leick, NREL’s principal investigator on the project.

The partners are looking to apply the tech on long-range and heavy payload UAVs in particular. These are mostly powered by internal combustion engines, which create more noise and emissions than electric propulsion. And when electric batteries are used, they can limit the drone’s range because they must be charged frequently.

Honeywell pointed out that hydrogen today is largely stored in bulky, compressed gas tanks, which are difficult to install on a compact drone. NREL added that the FLASH fuel storage system and a fuel cell could be bundled into a single, swappable cartridge—much like the electric battery cartridges many UAV operators are used to.

“Today’s long-range drones are typically powered by internal combustion engines,” said Katherine Hurst, NREL senior scientist and group manager. “While they provide the required range that battery-powered electric UAVs lack, these engines have issues with excessive noise, vibration, and emissions, including carbon emissions. This is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the performance of hydrogen storage materials that we developed in our laboratory together with Honeywell to fuel a real-life flying vehicle.”

The partners pointed to atmospheric monitoring—which can be inhibited by the exhaust gases and rumbling engines of UAVs—as a potential new use case for FLASH technology. They also floated inspections of electric power lines, gas pipelines, solar panel farms, wind turbines, and other long-range applications as potential opportunities. In particular, long-range, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions could lower operating costs for service providers.

“Hydrogen can offer significant advantages for electric vertical take-off and landing [eVTOL] systems in terms of endurance and range,” said Dave Shilliday, vice president and general manager of urban air mobility and uncrewed aerial systems at Honeywell Aerospace. “Additionally, using hydrogen as a power source can also significantly expand the possibilities of UAVs beyond the limitations posed by battery-electric powertrains. Honeywell will work with NREL to develop the necessary hydrogen-related technology to contribute to the further growth of the industry.”

As things stand, the FLASH solution is projected to operate as a one-way fuel that must be recycled or refilled once spent. However, a project within NREL’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development program is exploring ways to recycle hydrogen fuel using electrochemical processes, which could one day allow UAVs to be powered by renewable energy.

If the project is deemed a success, FLASH “will be qualified for future technological development in optimization, scaling, and cost reduction,” NREL said. The laboratory also filed a nonprovisional patent application for FLASH tech, which laid the foundation to allow Honeywell Aerospace to continue developing it for commercial deployment.

It’s unclear whether Honeywell or NREL will explore hydrogen fuel storage systems for crewed electric aircraft as well. But it’s worth noting the former recently agreed to install flight control systems for electric aircraft maker Heart Aerospace and has partnerships with several manned eVTOL manufacturers—including Archer Aviation, Lilium, Vertical Aerospace, and Pipistrel—through its urban air mobility business.

NREL, meanwhile, just partnered with Joby Aviation to research the environmental impact of its air taxi, signaling potential interest in exploring hydrogen for crewed electric aircraft. The lab is also committed to researching hydrogen storage and fuel more generally, positioning it as a potential player as the aviation industry works to meet long-term sustainability goals.

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The move toward alternative fuel sources for airliners has taken a step forward as the FAA accepted Universal Hydrogen’s application for a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the conversion of ATR 72 regional airliners to electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

The FAA on Thursday issued the G-1 Issue Paper that establishes certification criteria, including airworthiness and environmental standards required by the FAA to ultimately certify the Universal Hydrogen design for ATR 72 conversion to hydrogen power.

• READ MORE: ATR 72 Hydrogen-Electric Demonstrator Unveiled

California-based Universal Hydrogen will continue working with the FAA to finalize the full certification requirements.

Hydrogen Logistics

In addition, the company is building a hydrogen logistics network. According to Universal Hydrogen, its modular hydrogen capsules can be transported over the existing freight network from production directly to the airplane anywhere in the world.

Universal Hydrogen is also working to certify a powertrain conversion kit to retrofit existing regional aircraft to fly on hydrogen.

In July 2022, Universal Hydrogen unveiled its test demonstrator aircraft, a modified ATR 72-500 at its facility in Toulouse, France. The airplane’s powertrain was converted from a conventional turboprop configuration to electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells. 

The conversion kits for ATR 72s include proprietary, liquid hydrogen modular capsules intended to make green hydrogen fuel transport and loading effective and efficient.  

Several air carriers are taking notice of the new technology. In 2022, Universal Hydrogen secured a deal with Connect Airlines for a firm order to convert 75 ATR 72-600s to hydrogen powertrains. The agreement includes an option to convert 25 additional aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025.

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