Regional air mobility startup Lilium will become a publicly traded company Sept. 15, with less cash in hand than was hoped for.

The FAA has issued research contracts worth more than $100 million to six aerospace partner companies and teams under the third phase of its long-running Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program.

In support of U.S. plans to boost sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production to at least 3 billion gal. a year by 2030, the U.S. Energy Department (DOE) has awarded $64.7 million in funding for 22 projects to produce cost-effective low-carbon biofuels.

The research and technology effort in Europe toward the use of hydrogen in commercial air transport is in full swing, but the readiness level varies depending on the industry segment. 

European flight-training provider Bartolini Air has taken delivery of the first new CAP10C NG as launch customer of the re-introduced aerobatic airplane, which it uses for upset-recovery training.

The move follows Aerion's disclosure in May that it was shutting down operations after failing to secure the large new capital requirements needed to continue to develop the AS2 supersonic business jet

The startup is aiming for Part 23 type certification of its aircraft in late 2024.

The U.S. startup has teamed with UK-based LCC easyJet on the project to get direct airline input while it is still in the development phase.