First flown in 1982 and still in production almost 40 years later, the Cessna Caravan is playing a key role in the introduction of advanced air mobility and alternative propulsion.
Training specialist CAE has unveiled its first flight simulator targeted to the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft market and been named the pilot training partner for Vertical Aerospace’s VX4.
While startups have been racking up conditional orders for their in-development advanced air mobility aircraft, news concerning the infrastructure that will been needed to support all these aircraft has been slower coming. But there were signs of progress at the Farnborough Airshow.
Customer interest in advanced air mobility continued to expand at the Farnborough Airshow, both by mission and geography, diversifying the orderbook beyond its early focus on airlines and lessors.
The advanced air mobility supply base is beginning to look quite familiar to aerospace industry watchers, as established companies with commercial aircraft experience are rising to the top. It is a trend that was reinforced by news from the Farnborough International Airshow.
As startups advance zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion toward production by the mid-2020s for aircraft with up to 50 seats, a UK research program is indicating the technology’s potential to power regional airliners with 100 seats.
Satellite communications provider Inmarsat and Flight Crowd, a not-for-profit organization formed to promote public awareness of urban air mobility, will collaborate on a series of outreach events.
The U.S. Energy Department has awarded Raytheon two research and development projects to test hydrogen and ammonia as zero-carbon fuels for electricity generation.
Advanced air mobility developer Beta Technologies has secured a 75-year lease at Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont to build a 355,000-ft.² electric aircraft production facility.
The engine-maker says it has performed the world’s first test in simulated altitude conditions of a megawatt-class and multi-kilovolt hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Financial analysis firm Jefferies is the first to recommend a “buy” rating on an advanced air mobility stock, citing a $7.30 price target for Eve Holding versus its current price, $6.75.
As Farnborough bursts back onto the global events scene, advanced air mobility—a market that has gained in prominence over the pandemic—is high on the agenda.
Changes in the funding environment for advanced air mobility startups come at a time when the companies are entering the most expensive phase of their existence.
Vertical Aerospace and Babcock International are exploring application of the VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi to emergency medical services and cargo transportation.
The application will allow Joby’s U.S.-based certification to be concurrently validated by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, accelerating access to the British market.
