The Wall Street Journal reports that The Boeing Company is investing another $450 million into Wisk, its joint venture with Kitty Hawk Corp. aiming to develop pilotless air-taxis. The Journal says Airbus and Embraer have their own air taxi units.
Full Story (Wall Street Journal)
Tag: Air Taxis
France to Test Electric Air Taxis Before 2024 Summer Olympics
The Hill reports that France “is set to begin testing electric air taxis in the coming months, with the goal of launching them in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics.” The flying taxis “will be tested at a hub outside Paris at Pontoise” in the hopes of establishing two flight paths to the 2024 Olympics from both Paris airports and two southwest suburbs, respectively.
Full Story (The Hill)
BAE Systems Developing Power Management System for Air Taxis
Aviation Today reports that BAE Systems is developing “energy storage and management solutions for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.” BAE Systems Controls and Avionics Solutions Business Development Lead for Aircraft Electrification Justin McClellan told Aviation Today, “Our main focus, I’d say, on battery technology and energy storage would be on high-reliability high-integrity energy storage for flight-critical applications like primary power for the eVTOL aircraft or air taxis.” BAE Systems expects the eVTOL module to be ready by the end of 2022 or early 2023.
US Air Force Could Be Flying Air Taxis by 2023
Aviation Today reports that AFWERX Director Col. Nathan Diller said that the US Air Force’s Agility Prime program has been investing in electric air taxis and could have them in use by 2023. The vertical takeoff and landing capable air taxis potentially could be used to evacuate downed aircrew.
Full Story (Aviation Today)