The space agency on Monday announced a new collaboration with electric aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation to explore how the company’s battery cell systems—designed for its flagship Midnight air taxi—could one day be applied for space. 

A core focus of the collaboration, the partners said, is ensuring U.S. leadership in the next generation of air transportation. It follows air taxi simulations NASA conducted with Archer competitor Joby Aviation, and both come in the wake of the world’s first electric air taxi flight for a paying customer, completed by China’s EHang in December. EHang has also begun deliveries to its operational partners.

The industry leadership of Archer, Joby, and other American air taxi manufacturers is being challenged by Chinese firms, such as EHang and AutoFlight, as well as European rivals such as Volocopter. U.S. lawmakers and government agencies fear those companies could undermine American firms by beating them to commercial launch and scale.

“Many countries around the world are challenging the U.S. in this new era of flight, and our country is at risk of losing its global leadership position unless we work together, government and industry, to ensure we seize the moment and pioneer this new era of aviation technology, which stands to benefit all Americans,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer.

The initial NASA project will study and test Archer’s battery packs to see how they can safely support advanced air mobility (AAM) operations. The goal is to validate the technology for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis like Midnight, electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) designs such as Beta Technologies’ CX300, and potentially even usage in space.

According to Archer, the initial focus on battery cell safety is part of a “much larger partnership” with NASA under a Space Act Agreement for the advancement of “mission-critical” eVTOL aircraft technology.

The company believes the maturation of battery cell technology, in particular, will be key to U.S. mass production and adoption of eVTOL air taxis and other AAM services. Following testing, it plans to share the results with the industry to help it develop more efficient battery system supply chains.

“AAM promises to provide substantial public benefits to our communities, including transforming how urban and rural communities live and commute by maximizing mobility, bolstering cargo and logistics options, and creating pathways to manufacturing jobs and other ladders of social and economic opportunity,” Archer said in a news release. “Core to unlocking this potential is designing, developing, and mass producing batteries and electric motors that are purpose built for electric aircraft.”

Archer’s battery packs are designed specifically to power Midnight’s proprietary electric powertrain, which the company is beginning to mass manufacture. It said the cell’s cylindrical form factor “has a track record of safety, performance and scalability proven through decades of volume manufacturing, deployed across many applications globally, including in millions of electric vehicles.”

NASA will test the battery system’s safety, energy, and power performance capabilities using the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), one of the world’s most advanced high speed X-ray facilities. It will seek to understand how the cells function in “extreme abuse cases,” perhaps as a way to simulate the harsh environment of space.

NASA—which in addition to Archer and Joby is collaborating with the U.S. Air Force and other partners on an array of AAM initiatives—is one of many government agencies aiming to assert U.S. leadership in emerging aviation.

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force, is working with Archer, Joby, and plenty of other manufacturers in a series of “quid-pro-quo” arrangements. The manufacturers receive access to Air Force resources and feedback that can speed aircraft development, testing, and commercialization, and the Air Force gets to explore defense use cases for technology not yet on the market. AFWERX is also collaborating with the FAA to share flight test data and capabilities.

The FAA has been tasked with spearheading the growth of the domestic AAM industry. So far, the agency has released an AAM Concept of Operations, which will serve as the early blueprint for regulations and operational rules to enable scale. The first stage of that blueprint is detailed further in the regulator’s Innovate28 plan—a timeline of goals and milestones culminating in initial AAM operations by the time the 2028 Summer Olympics arrive in Los Angeles.

However, the U.S. may be four years behind its global competition: Germany’s Volocopter, China’s AutoFlight, and several other non-U.S. manufacturers plan to demonstrate or commercially launch their air taxis at the Paris Olympic Games this summer.

Both Archer and Joby anticipate entry into service in 2025, pending type certification of their respective aircraft. But though they may arrive on the scene after their foreign counterparts, the opportunity to lead remains. Later entrants will be able to evaluate the successes (or failures) of the initial wave of aircraft. Through collaborations such as the one between Archer and NASA, they’ll have more time to research safe, scaled operations.

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Making the announcement at England’s biennial Farnborough International Airshow, the California-based company said it believes it’s the “first eVTOL company to apply for foreign validation of its FAA type certificate.”  

• READ MORE: Farnborough Set To Come in Hot–and Cheap?

Joby’s ongoing U.S. certification will be validated concurrently by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the U.K.— a strategy aimed at moving quickly into the British market. 

“We’re incredibly excited about the potential for electric aerial ridesharing to offer a new form of clean and affordable urban and regional connectivity across the U.K., where more than 80 percent of the population lives in, or near, cities,” said Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt in a released statement. 

FAA-CAA Agreement

Last March, the FAA and CAA issued a joint statement saying they would leverage an existing bilateral aviation safety agreement aimed at using current regulatory frameworks to smooth the path into service for eVTOL aircraft. 

In the statement, both agencies said they “recognize the potential of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft to significantly benefit the public.” The FAA and CAA also said they “must continue to maintain the high safety standards that the public expects.”

We’re pleased to announce we have formally applied to certify our eVTOL aircraft for use in the United Kingdom! We can’t wait to bring our fast, quiet and affordable new mode of transportation to the UK. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/X5C1OLmMoT

— Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) July 17, 2022

FAA Shifts Approach

It’s been about two months since the FAA acknowledged changes to its approach to type certificating eVTOL aircraft, putting eVTOLs under the category for powered lift aircraft. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has told FLYING the policy shift will require additional rules and clarifications from the FAA, especially regarding bilateral validation with other countries. Nonetheless, shortly after the FAA acknowledged the change, Joby said it didn’t expect the shift to delay its certification timeline. 

• READ MORE: GAMA Has Questions about eVTOL Certification

In May, company officials said the FAA had accepted “close to 80 percent” of Joby’s means of compliance toward type certification, with one area specific plan (ASCP) approved and two others submitted for review.

Planning to piggyback off Uber’s rideshare app—Joby has said it is on track for FAA certification in time to enter service in the U.S. in 2024. 

About the Aircraft

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The company defines its eVTOL, named Antelope, as a “volar”—an urban air mobility (UAM) aircraft meant for private use. Antelope features an exceedingly futuristic design with a hidden propulsion system.

Alongside concept images of the Antelope, Bellwether’s website claims “the revolution of transportation is inevitable. Only by breaking the existing transportation system can we [maximize the efficiency of our living environment and enter into a new 3-dimensional lifestyle.”

Bellwether this week released the footage of the first free flight of the half-scale Antelope, which took place in November in Dubai. The sleek “hypercar” can be seen flying several feet above the ground, maneuvering around a grassy field.

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Bellwether Industries was founded in 2019 to “provide the most compatible Urban Air Mobility solution for intracity travels with a safe, efficient, and comfortable experience.”

While the price of the final product is yet to be known, Bellwether says it plans to have its full-scale prototype begin flight testing next year.

“We believe that people commuting in the sky is inevitable within the next 10 years. Therefore, we created a volar for anyone to fly anytime and anywhere to any point,” the company said. “The ultimate goal of Bellwether Industries is to build a brand-new 3-dimensional lifestyle and to lead the world toward a more comprehensive urban mobility.”

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Jetson One made waves in 2021 when it publicly revealed its “build-your-own” recreational eVTOL.

The Jetson One sets itself apart from most eVTOLs as a single-rider recreational aircraft, weighing in at just 190 pounds. Equipped with Tesla battery cells, the aircraft has a maximum flight time of 20 minutes and a top speed of 63 mph.

Currently, it is available for $92,000 with a $22,000 deposit. Jetson designed its eVTOL to be easy to fly, with no need for a pilot certificate. The aircraft will be classified as an ultralight vehicle that does not require any certifications.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us, to finalize a production-ready Jetson One and to prepare it for mass production in 2023,” said Peter Ternstrom, co-founder and president of Jetson, Thursday in a statement. “This is an incredibly exciting time for us [and the] eVTOL industry.”

Read More: Meet Jetson One: The eVTOL Aircraft You Build Yourself

The company on Thursday also announced the addition of Rikard Steiber as a senior adviser to expand investing for its eVTOL aircraft.

Steiber, CEO of GoodTrust, previously pioneered investing with the Drone Racing League and Einride autonomous electric trucks. He is also an upcoming paying passenger of Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceplane.

“With Jetson One, the dream of flying now becomes a reality,” Steiber said. “Everyone can now become a pilot.”

Looking ahead, the company said Thursday it is committed to “recruiting significantly” and begin its first round of external fundraising. The company has not disclosed how much has been invested so far and by whom.

“It is important for us to find the right team members now as we expand and grow our company.

“Jetson is looking globally for talented individuals who share our vision. We are at the forefront of a new industry. The skill set needed to lead in this industry is incredibly niche. As is the mindset and energy to be in a company that wants to shape the future,” said Tomasz Patan, co-founder and CTO.

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The combined efforts of Renault and motion design hub TheArsenale resulted in the creation of a “reinterpretation of the 4L that can fly!” according to a news release. The news comes as the company celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Renault 4.

Based on the original Renault 4L that debuted in 1961, the Air 4 serves as a concept of what the car could look like 60 years from now. 

Renault is just the latest of car manufacturers entering the air mobility market. Hyundai and Honda recently made their entrance with vertiport development and eVTOL aircraft respectively.

Renault constructed the Air 4 with carbon fiber and is powered by lithium-polymer batteries that can put out up to 90,000mAh of energy—enough to accelerate you to a top speed of 26 meters per second, according to the company. The Air 4 is projected to have a maximum altitude of roughly 2,296 feet (700 meters), thanks to a total thrust of about 838 pounds (380 kg).

Instead of wheels, the Air 4 features four two-blade propellers, one at each corner of the vehicle. The body sits in the middle of the rota frame, with the driver gaining access to the cabin by lifting the front-hinged shell, according to the company. Video posted on YouTube shows the aircraft in flight.

The Air 4 marks TheArsenale’s first product for its ROAD TO AIR division, which founder and CEO Patrice Meignan has dedicated to transforming the future of transport networks.

“I have dedicated my life to the passion for mobility, and I continually explore all aspects of the moving world,” he said in a statement. “After 25 years of forward-looking research, we believe that the icons of car culture are eternal, whether on earth or in the air. 

“For 60 years, the Renault 4 has been driven by ordinary people who make it extraordinary. It is a car that symbolises adventure: simple, practical, useful and as modern as it is retro. Most drivers will tell you, it allows you to travel differently and to live an adventure. This ‘travelling different’ has inspired my team and I. With AIR4 by TheArsenale, the Renault 4 is ready for its greatest adventure yet.”

The Air 4 is currently on display in France but will travel to Miami, New York, and Macau in 2022.

The post Renault Unveils eVTOL Concept Aircraft appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Supernal, which will be based in the U.S., will lead Hyundai’s Urban Air Mobility Division, which is expected to develop “a family of electric air vehicles.”

“In adding a new dimension to mobility, we are on a mission to transform how people and society move, connect, and live,” said Jaiwon Shin, chief executive officer of Supernal and president of Hyundai Motor Group, in a statement. “We have bold ambitions at Supernal, but being first to market is not one of them. We are working to build the right product and the right integrated market, and we will leverage Hyundai Motor Group’s scaled manufacturing expertise to ensure AAM [advanced air mobility] reaches the right price point and is accessible to the masses.”

The company plans not only to produce products in the eVTOL market, but to also provide services throughout UAM infrastructure.

• Read more: Hyundai, UK Startup to Build Network of eVTOL Airports

Much like Honda’s “mobility ecosystem,” Supernal plans to create an entire transit network. The company describes taking a car to a vertiport, taking off in an eVTOL, and riding an e-scooter for the last mile—all through a single app on your smartphone.

Hyundai previously introduced its initial concept eVTOL, the S-A1, at CES 2020 and has plans to begin the certification process in 2024. The S-A1 will be fully electric, capable of autonomous flight, and will seat up to five passengers in urban areas.

“We’re developing a commercially viable advanced air mobility (AAM) product from the start, designing and manufacturing our vehicle to the highest safety, noise, efficiency, and affordability standards,” said Ben Diachun, Supernal’s chief technology officer, in a statement. “Our growing team, which includes veterans of aerospace, automotive, and other deep-tech industries, is engineering sustainable vehicles that have the potential to evolve how we live, work, and play.”

Supernal has cited affordability as one of its most important factors to consider while developing its technology. The company plans to leverage artificial intelligence, autonomous control, electric powertrains, and mass production capabilities to advance their eVTOL technology and to keep costs at a minimum.

The company also plans to establish a “bench of academic partners” to bolster research efforts and talent pipelines.

“As an industry disruptor, we have a responsibility to ensure AAM integrates with and augments existing transit options and effectively serves local community needs. Developing the market— from the vehicle to critical infrastructure networks and public acceptance—takes thoughtful and strategic coordination; everything needs to align at the same time for AAM to reach its full promise,” Shin said.

Last year, Hyundai partnered with the city of Los Angeles and Urban Movement Labs to determine how public engagement and local policy will inform AAM efforts and timelines.

• Read more: Is Los Angeles Becoming a Battleground for eVTOLs?

Hyundai also partnered with Urban-Air Port in the U.K. to develop multifunctional AAM infrastructure, set to showcase a full-scale vertiport next year.

The post Hyundai Launches New Business Targeting eVTOL Market appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Vertical Aerospace says it has received an additional $205 million in funding to support the development and certification of its VA-X4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The news comes as Vertical awaits a merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Broadstone Acquisition Corp., which would make it the fourth eVTOL company to go public this year as part of similar mergers. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year, but a date for when the SPAC’s shareholders will vote has not been announced. The transaction has anticipated gross proceeds of $394 million and a pro forma equity value of $2.2 billion.

Mudrick Capital is funding Vertical with $200 million through secured notes, which are subject to completion of customary closing conditions. This includes the completion of the proposed combination with Broadstone.

Kouros SA, who is contributing $5 million to this effort, is investing in the decarbonization of transport and energy production. As part of Vertical’s private investment in public equity (PIPE) program, Kouros is supporting companies such as:

• American Airlines
• Avolon
• Honeywell
• Microsoft’s M12
• Rolls-Royce

Vertical founder and CEO Stephen Fitzpatrick celebrated the news in a statement this week.

“We are delighted to welcome Mudrick Capital and Kouros as new partners to Vertical Aerospace. Their investments are more expert validation of our technology and approach to the exciting future of zero-emissions flight.”

Mudrick Capital founder and CIO Jason Mudrick added, “With this investment, the company now has the proper capitalization to bring electric flight into commercial operation by the middle of this decade and move towards high-scale production.”

The funds will be necessary as Vertical seeks to manufacture and certify the VA-X4, which the company says will cost around $250 million.

The VA-X4, a piloted eVTOL aircraft, will be capable of reaching speeds of more than 200 mph, according to the company. The passenger aircraft is expected to be 100 times quieter than a helicopter in cruise flight, with a range of more than 100 miles.

Expected to receive global certification in 2024, the VA-X4 will be certified to a safety standard equivalent to that of a passenger jet, according to Vertical. Vertical has already gained support across the aviation industry, including a recent partnership with Heathrow Airport, and it reports having up to 1,350 conditional pre-orders, worth $5.4 billion, already in its orderbook.

The post Vertical Aerospace Secures $205 Million Toward eVTOL Development appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Jetson Aerospace, namesake of the 1960s-era Hanna-Barbera cartoon, has unveiled its personal eVTOL aircraft, the Jetson One.

The Jetson One, revealed to the public last week, is a recreational ultralight eVTOL aircraft that doesn’t require a pilot certificate to fly. Pre-orders have already begun and it will only set you back $92,000, with some assembly required.

Upon delivery during summer of next year, the small eVTOL will arrive 50 percent assembled. The frame comes in one piece while the batteries and cables are up to you—with detailed instructions, of course.

“If you get the Jetson at lunchtime, you’re ready to fly by dinner,” Peter Ternström, Jetson president and co-founder, told FLYING this week.

He talked about the inspiration for the Jetson One.

“I wanted to have a little sports car for the sky,” Ternström said. “It has always been my dream since just a kid and finally now, the technology is available.”

The 190 lb. aircraft, powered by Tesla battery cells, only lasts about 20 minutes in the air. But the short battery life is of no concern to Ternström, however, as that’s not what Jetson is aiming for.

“The scope of the project is not to solve big issues like urban mobility or air taxis or something like that,” he said. “The Jetson is all about having fun.”

Think of the Jetson One as a Jet Ski—something you take out for a joyride, but can’t ride to work.

“It’s a profoundly ecstatic experience to fly this thing because it’s completely vibration-free,” Ternstöm said. “And it makes a buzzing noise like something from ‘Star Wars.’”

Just like vehicles you would find in “Star Wars,” the Jetson One comes packed with amazing technology. The bottom of the aircraft comes equipped with a LIDAR sensor, with software that limits how fast you can travel depending on your surroundings. Safety features include ballistic parachutes and zero-input hovering—just let go of the throttle and joystick and you’ll come to a peaceful stop mid-air.

According to Ternström, the Jetson One is designed to allow anyone to climb in and fly without the need for piloting experience. The eVTOL’s software also includes a “virtual cushion.” When landing, the aircraft slows down your descent to mitigate hard landings.

While you may not need a pilot certificate to fly the Jetson One, you may need one to purchase it. Ternström said that he wants the first customers to “know what they’re doing.”

“I am not going to sell it to anyone. Whether or not they like it or not, the first 30 people to receive their Jetson, they are going to be ambassadors for the brand because the level of attention they’re going to get with their flying device is going to be astronomical,” he said. “That’s why I’m selecting people.”

Still, if you manage to get inside one, no training will be required. The Jetson One, in the U.S., will be classified as an ultralight vehicle that will not be required to attain any airworthiness certifications.

“It offers them some flexibility, it offers them also some restrictions that aren’t part of the usual aircraft world,” said Dick Knapinski, director of communications at EAA.

Due to its classification, the Jetson One will not be permitted to fly in populated areas or controlled airspace.

Knapinski believes there are three things that stand in the way of a successful eVTOL aircraft: the engineering, the regulatory process, and consumer acceptance.

“It appears the Jetson people have got a lot of the engineering down,” he said.

As for regulatory obstacles, Knapinski says technology oftentimes moves faster than regulations. It will take time for the Jetson One to deliver and to find its place within FAA certifications.

Finally, consumer acceptance is often the determining factor for any emerging technology.

“They can have the best innovation in the world. If they don’t sell many of them, they’re not going to be successful,” he said.

Knapinski hopes to see the Jetson One in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in the near future.

The post Meet Jetson One: The eVTOL Aircraft You Build Yourself appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

HT Aero, an urban air mobility (UAM) company and affiliate of China-based electric car maker XPeng, has raised $500 million in Series A funding as it seeks to stake its claim in the rapidly growing UAM industry.

The company says the money will help fund research and development as it works to get what it describes as “a fully integrated flying vehicle and automobile, designed for both low-altitude air travel and road driving,” off the ground in two years. It is among a growing field of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developers seeking solutions to growing urban issues like pollution and traffic congestion.

Currently, there are more than 200 companies working to launch their vehicles, with some expected to enter commercial service by 2024. Analysts estimate that by 2040 the industry could be valued at trillions of dollars.

The funding round announced this week is led by IDG Capital, 5Y Capital, and XPeng. Other investors include:

• Sequoia China
• Eastern Bell Capital
• GGV Capital
• GL Ventures
• Yunfeng Capital

“We believe that the flying vehicle sector will be a trillion-dollar market,” said Guangfu Cui, partner of IDG Capital, in a statement. “The rapid technological evolution of batteries, autonomous driving, and materials science provide the synergies needed to create a new paradigm for flying cars.”

Unlike many eVTOL companies, which are largely targeting services for the business sector, HT Aero says it aims to develop an aircraft geared toward individual consumers.

Since launching in 2013, the company has developed five generations of intelligent, electric-powered, crewed flying vehicles. It recently released details of its latest version, Xpeng X2, a two-seater with an enclosed cockpit. The aircraft has a full carbon fiber structure and weighs just over 1,200 pounds (empty aircraft with battery); a maximum design speed of 80 mph; and has a range of 35 minutes at low-altitude, making it most suitable for urban flight scenarios, the company says. Founder and president Deli Zhao said the goal is to have it ready for official rollout in 2024.

XPeng is just one of several automakers investing in the future of eVTOL. Honda announced in September that it plans to create its own aircraft, Toyota has partnered with California-based Joby Aviation as it develops one, and Hyundai has reached an agreement with a U.K. company to build a network of eVTOL airports.

The post HT Aero Raises $500M in Quest to Launch eVTOL appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Israel-based startup Air has unveiled its personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft geared toward the individual consumer market.

Air One, the company’s inaugural vehicle, is an all-electric, two-seater eVTOL with an expected range of 110 miles on a single charge, a top speed of 155 mph, and an endurance of roughly one hour, according to the company.

It’s a fixed-wing aircraft with eight vertical-lift rotors mounted on the four corners of the airframe.

Using what it calls “Fly by Intent” software—an intuitive fly-by-wire system that can manage complex functions and navigation—the company says it’s creating a vehicle that’s easy to fly.

Additional safety features include an AI-enabled monitoring system, designed to perform vehicle inspections, the company states.

The company says its vehicle “prioritizes everyday practicality for consumers.” For example, Air One has collapsible wings to make parking easier.

“The future of mobility is in the sky,” said Air CEO and co-founder Rani Plaut in a statement. “But to get there, we need to build consumer confidence in eVTOLs as a legitimate mode of everyday transport and develop vehicles on a mass-scale to bring that vision to life.

“Air One is our hat in the ring.”

Air says it is currently working with the FAA to obtain G1 preliminary type certification, which it hopes to achieve in 2023, and will begin rolling out aircraft for commercial use in 2024. It is also seeking mass production of its aircraft.

Although pricing info isn’t expected to be available to the public until 2022, the company says it is taking preorders with additional cost details to be released to those who sign up.

There are dozens of companies working to accelerate the eVTOL industry and make it a reality in day-to-day life, but most are focused on commercial applications. Air joins the ranks of other developers, including HT Aero, Tetra Aviation, and Next UAS, which say that in order for eVTOL to become a reality, it needs to be more accessible.

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