eVTOL

It is said that once is an accident, twice a coincidence, while thrice is a trend. That may now apply to recent leadership changes at top electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) plane manufacturers working toward craft certification ­– the latest occurring at Germany’s Lilium.

Developer of electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis Joby Aviation says it has obtained its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate nearly a half year ahead of schedule. The company will now use the permit to operate traditional aircraft to prepare the launch of services with next-generation vehicles in 2024.

News that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has changed its thinking on how it will certify electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for air taxi use has rattled developers of those vehicles – many prototypes of which are already well along in the approval process. In response to the jittery nerves that may have created, the regulator is assuring companies the alterations it has made won’t send any projects off the certification rails.

In a surprise move, Archer cofounder Brett Adcock has left the electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) plane developer, even as its Maker air taxi prototype continues quickly advancing toward certification objectives.

London-based electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace has negotiated an arrangement with UK and European Union civil aviation authorities to pursue concurrent vehicle validation of its VX4 air taxis.

Next-generation electric takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) manufacturer Archer Aviation and United Airways are deepening their partnership through the establishment of a joint advisory committee to prepare efficient, safety-focused maintenance operations for future air taxis and other urban air mobility (UAM) planes.

Embraer air mobility unit Eve has announced its partnership with defense, tech, and transport giant Thales to develop the production of electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, in what may be an effort to kick off work to create a prototype craft into higher gear.

In the company’s next step in preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Volocopter performed a crewed test flight outside Paris, France.

Japanese automotive and motorcycle giant Suzuki says it is joining forces with aerial vehicle company SkyDrive in the latter’s efforts to produce an electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying car for urban air mobility uses like air taxis.

Future urban air mobility aircraft won’t simply be used for (relatively) affordable, carbon-free public transport like air taxis and other forms of aerial ride-sharing. Now next-generation craft developer Lilium is also looking to market its electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jet to the well-heeled elite as inner and inter-city supplements to their globe-spanning private planes.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a preliminary report on the February 16 crash of a Joby electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi prototype, citing “a component failure” as the cause.

San Francisco-based electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle and air taxi company Archer Aviation finished last year with a bang. Now, its co-founders and -CEOs Brett Adcock and Adam Goldstein tell DroneDJ why they think 2022 will be even more exciting.

Joby Aviation, the maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi craft, has announced a partnership with All Nippon Airways (ANA) to prepare for aerial ridesharing services in Japan.

South Korea’s SK Telecom and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft specialist Joby Aviation have announced an agreement to develop advanced air mobility (AAM) ride-sharing services between cities across one of southeast Asia’s most promising next-generation transportation markets.

The specialist UK vertiport startup Urban-Air Port has announced a project to create hundreds of hubs for electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) around the world over the next five years, fueled by a significant equity stake by Hyundai’s advanced air mobility (AAM) division Supernal.

German drone company Wingcopter and US medical UAV services provider Spright have deepened their relationship with a new deal for electric vertical takeoff and (eVTOL) aerial delivery craft valued at $16 million dollars.

Santa Ana, California, startup Overair is not only aiming to become a global player in electric takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturing, it also wants to revolutionize the propulsion technologies most advanced air mobility (AAM) companies rely on with what it says is a quieter, more efficient large propeller system.

Though still young, 2022 is shaping up to be monumental for Swedish flying car developer Jetson, which plans to deliver the first series of its one-passenger personal electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle later this year, then turn to outside investors to help scale activity.

Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle company AutoFlight is accelerating development of its Prosperity I air taxi by establishing its first unit in Europe, which will oversee efforts to obtain the craft’s European Union certification.

Australian air taxi infrastructure company Skyportz is moving to secure use of prime urban real estate for future electric takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL) air taxi operation by – somewhat like the fast-moving homophonic UK drone group Skyports – working with large parking lot businesses to serve as heliports.

With its eyes set on 2024 to launch a commercial air taxi service, California-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle company Joby Aviation has ramped up the flight-testing process of its pre-production prototype aircraft.