Flying Magazine reports, “Beta will train additional company and FAA personnel using dual controls on its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Alia 250. The company on Wednesday said the agency granted it a letter of authorization (LOA) to start dual seat pilot training of “manufacturer and FAA personnel,” such as the aviation safety inspector who will ultimately help certify the aircraft for commercial service.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Tag: Approval
Archer Aviation Receives FAA Approval to Start Commercial Services
Reuters reports, “Archer Aviation said on Wednesday the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the company a certificate to begin commercial operations, making it the second electric air taxi maker to achieve the key milestone.”
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FCC Approves Starlink for Moving Vehicles
Aviation International News reports that the Federal Communications Commission “has approved SpaceX’s application to provide satellite communications for vehicles while in motion.” The approval “paves the way for SpaceX to offer Ku-band airborne satcom using its Starlink satellite network.” Public charter provider JSX “is the first customer for airborne Starlink and it expects to begin offering the service later this year.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
UAV Startup Flytrex Receives FAA Approval to Expand Grocery Delivery to Thousands of Homes
Insider reports that Flytrex has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration “to expand backyard drone delivery to thousands of homes in North Carolina, the company announced Tuesday, May 25.” Flytrex has been testing their UAV operations under the FAA’s ongoing pilot UAV program for months. The company “previously delivered food and beverages at a golf course in North Dakota. But its biggest FAA experiment started in late 2020 when it took to the skies carrying trash bags from a Walmart store in North Carolina.” Initial testing included drops made to houses about a half-mile from the store. With the FAA certification, Flytrex can now “operate its drone system above people, allowing for the largest-scale backyard drone deliveries of goods known to date,” the company said in a statement.
Full Story (Insider)