Category Filtering: 'vertiflite'
Vancouver-based Helijet International has placed a firm order for four Beta Technologies Alia 250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and secured options for four additional aircraft. When delivered, these will join its current fleet of 19 helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Battery performance and associated aircraft range capability remains a major area of focus for the nascent electric aircraft industry. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recognized the need for civil aviation authorities to assess battery performance for electric aircraft in a recently published white paper, “Managing Range and Endurance of Battery-Electric Aircraft.”
Beta Technologies’ recent opening of its new 188,500-ft² (17,500-m²) manufacturing plant for its Alia aircraft is the latest indicator that the 2017-founded South Burlington, Vermont-based company is one of the world’s leading electric aircraft companies. Beta has two prototype Alia aircraft that it is currently testing for two future models: the CX300 electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) and A250 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The two aircraft share 80% common design elements, creating a simple, streamlined path to commercialization and certification, Beta says. The company plans to produce up to 300 aircraft per year and eventually hire hundreds of factory workers, beyond its 600 employees today.
Joby Aviation recently achieved a major milestone with the US Department of Defense when it delivered the first Joby production eVTOL aircraft (N5421A) to Edwards Air Force Base in California for military evaluation and flight testing.
SURVICE Engineering is adherent to the growth-through acquisition strategy.
VFS began its Transformative Vertical Flight workshops nearly a decade ago because of the groundswell of innovators around the world who were harnessing advancements in batteries, electric motors, advanced manufacturing and fly-by-wire flight controls to get eVTOL aircraft off the ground.
This year’s AirVenture had more vertical flight content than ever before.
Archer is likely to be among the finalists in the race to provide electric-powered aircraft for civil and military sectors.
In a multi-day event on Aug. 1–3, officials from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assured attendees that the agency would be ready for the introduction of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other types of advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles.
In June, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published its proposed Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) entitled, “Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes.”
