Category: Aviation

Alef Aeronautics has achieved a significant milestone as its flying car, the “Model A,” has received official clearance for testing from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Special Airworthiness Certification granted to Alef is the first of its kind, allowing the company to conduct road and aerial trials before making the vehicle available to the public.

According to Alef, the certification obtained from the FAA imposes certain limitations on the vehicle’s permitted flying locations and purposes. Additionally, the Model A must comply with safety standards set by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration before it can take to the skies. However, Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, expressed optimism, stating that the company is hopeful that the next step will involve meeting the necessary safety standards.

Continue reading… “Alef Aeronautics’ Electric Flying Car Receives FAA Clearance for Testing”

London-based freight drone airline, Dronamics, announced a significant milestone as its flagship aircraft, the Black Swan, successfully completed its first flight at Balchik airport in Bulgaria. Following months of ground testing and subscale flights, the Black Swan was remotely operated by two commercial airline pilots from Dronamics’ ground control center. The achievement marks a momentous occasion for the company, showcasing the validity and potential of their drone technology.

With its European operating authorization, Dronamics’ licensed cargo drone technology has now received approval for commercial flights in Europe and is expected to commence operations later this year. These flights will provide a rapid and cost-effective solution for ecommerce, pharmaceutical, spare parts, and perishable businesses to meet evolving customer demands.

Continue reading… “Dronamics’ Flagship Drone, the Black Swan, Successfully Completes Inaugural Flight in Bulgaria”

Destinus’ Eiger Prototype which conducted its maiden flight on April 13th, 2022

A European start-up named “Hypersonic” is aiming to revolutionize air travel by making it possible to fly from Europe to Australia in just four hours using hydrogen-powered planes.

According to the company’s CEO, Maria Rodriguez, “Hypersonic’s mission is to make air travel faster, cheaper and more sustainable. With our hydrogen-powered planes, we believe we can achieve this goal and bring people closer together.”

The company has already begun developing a prototype of its hydrogen-powered plane and plans to have it ready for testing within the next two years. Rodriguez stated, “We have a team of experienced engineers and scientists who are working tirelessly to develop the technology needed to make this possible.”

Continue reading… “The hypersonic hydrogen-powered jet aiming to cut flights from Europe to Australia to just 4 hours”

Facility will allow companies to test and operate vertical take-off and landing

Dubai will house an advanced air mobility (AAM) integrator centre, the first of its kind in the world, which would allow companies to test and operate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

To be set up by VPorts, which specialises in the design, construction and operation of AAM infrastructure, in Dubai South with an investment of $40 million over three years, the project itself will create 1,500 high-quality direct jobs in the UAE.

‘‘We are excited to build the first vertiport network connecting major UAE industrial areas. Similar to heliports, the vertiports will be designed for take-off and landing by eVTOLs,” said Dr Fethi Chebil, CEO and founder of VPorts.

Continue reading… “Dubai to house world’s first advanced air mobility integrator centre for flying cars”

Zephyr acts as a tower in the sky, complementing terrestrial networks.

Airbus HAPS Connectivity Business (Airbus HAPS) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Space Compass Corporation of Japan (Space Compass) for a cooperation agreement to service the Japanese market with mobile connectivity and earth observation services from the Stratosphere with Airbus’ Zephyr platform.

“Our dedicated team will be working closely with Space Compass to offer 4G/5G low-latency mobile services, at unprecedented economics. Our innovative, record-breaking, green-energy-powered, platform is attracting interest from multiple mobile network operators and satellite and other service providers globally,” said Samer Halawi, Chief Executive of Airbus HAPS.

Continue reading… “Airbus Solar-Powered Aircraft to Provide Connectivity Services in Japan”

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a… flying car? That’s right, folks. The future is now, and flying cars are (finally) a reality. To simplify the concept, a flying car is a type of personal aircraft that combines the features of an aeroplane and a car.

BY VIGNESH R

The flying car trend is rising as companies race to develop the first commercially viable model. Several prototypes have been developed recently, and several companies are vying for the first flying car manufacturer title. Recently, SkyDrive got $66M funding to develop flying cars and cargo drones, also there was a flying motorbike startup which was in the news, earlier this year. 

The market for flying cars is expected to be worth billions of dollars, and there is significant interest from major automakers and tech giants alike. Flying cars could revolutionise transportation and make getting around much easier, faster, and more efficient.

Continue reading… “Alef Aeronautics’ flying car with street driving and vertical take-off ability impresses Tesla investors”

By VYTE KLISAUSKAITE

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) intends to develop a next-generation military vertical take-off and landing VTOL demonstrator for the military. 

The project, called ANCILLARY and part of the X-Plane program, aims to apply innovation and technology from the commercial eVTOL sector to develop new architecture and design in the military sector “required for a leap ahead low-weight, high-payload, and long-endurance VTOL capabilities”.  

DARPA highlighted that its main goal is to build a military VTOL unmanned aircraft system that could launch without complex launch-and-recovery infrastructure, thus enabling its expeditionary deployments.  

Continue reading… “DARPA to develop next-gen military VTOL demonstrator”

They have the potential to revolutionize air travel in cities around the world, United says.

By Eric Kiefer

On Thursday, United Airlines announced that it is investing $15 million in Eve Air Mobility with a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft, plus an option to buy 200 more.

NEWARK, NJ — United Airlines is on the “Eve” of a new paradigm when it comes to air travel, the company says. And according to United, its goal of creating a fleet of electric flying taxis continues to lift off.

On Thursday, the Chicago-headquartered airline – which maintains a hub in Newark, New Jersey – announced that it is investing $15 million in Eve Air Mobility with a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft, plus an option to buy 200 more. The first deliveries of the cutting-edge vehicles may come as early as 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, the companies intend to work on future projects, including studies on the development, use and application of Eve’s aircraft and the urban air mobility (UAM) ecosystem.

This week’s announcement marks another big investment from United in flying taxis – or electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) – which “have the potential to revolutionize the commuter experience in cities around the world,” the airline claims.

What makes the vehicles so unique? According to United, rather than relying on traditional combustion engines, eVTOL aircraft are designed to use electric motors, providing carbon-free flights and making them excellent fits to serve as “air taxis” in urban markets.

Continue reading… “United Airlines Is Building A Fleet Of Electric Flying Taxis”