Reuters reports, “The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday finalized comprehensive training and pilot certification rules for flying air taxis, addressing a key hurdle to the deployment of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The FAA called the rule ‘the final piece in the puzzle for safely introducing these aircraft in the near term.’ Some flying companies hope to begin flying commercial passengers as soon as 2025.”
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Tag: eVTOL
Toyota to Invest $500M in Joby’s eVTOL Air Taxi
Flying Magazine reports, “One of the world’s largest automobile manufacturers this week committed half a billion dollars to help develop a new mode of flight. Toyota on Wednesday announced it will funnel an additional $500 million into the commercial production and certification of Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi. The four-passenger design—which takes off vertically like a helicopter but cruises on fixed wings—last year began crewed testing and is expected to begin ferrying customers as early as next year, pending FAA approval.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
eVTOL Developer Lilium Powers on its First In-production Jet
Aerotime reports, “In a significant milestone the electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Lilium has successfully powered on its first in-production Lilium Jet. The first Lilium Jet, MSN 1, will be used exclusively for ground testing to confirm safety for the first piloted flight scheduled for early 2025 with MSN 2, which itself is currently in final assembly. This power-on test “confirms that the aircraft is being built in accordance with Lilium’s platform design and the flight systems are functioning correctly,” the developer said on October 1, 2024.”
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Vertical Aerospace Completes VX4 Phase One Testing
Reuters reports, “UK-based Vertical Aerospace has completed the first phase of piloted testing of a prototype of its air-taxi, VX4, it said on Thursday, sending the company’s shares up 3.9% in U.S. premarket trading. The VX4 has 1,500 pre-orders worth $6 billion from companies including Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines and Japan Airlines. The phase one testing included multiple piloted tethered flights and ground runs. It completed 70 individual test points to validate its safety in the real-world flight scenarios.”
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Joby Aviation Submits Application for Air Taxi Certificate in UAE
Aerotime reports, “Joby Aviation is moving forward with its plans to launch commercial eVTOL operations in the Middle East. On September 9, 2024, the Californian company announced that it has submitted an application to aviation authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to become certified as an air taxi operator. The announcement was made during the Advanced Air Mobility Symposium, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which is taking place in Montréal, Québec, Canada, between September 9-12, 2024.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Amazon Selected as 1 of 6 Participants in U.K. Drone Trials
Flying Magazine reports, “The U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is launching a series of trials to integrate drones into the country’s everyday life. The CAA on Thursday announced it selected six projects that will test the self-flying aircraft’s use for delivery to consumers, infrastructure inspection, emergency services, and more. Prime Air, the drone delivery arm of Amazon flying in Texas, was one of the selections.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Future Flight Global May Purchase Up to 116 Air Taxis from Archer Aviation
Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation this week secured another purchase order agreement for its flagship Midnight air taxi. The company on Tuesday said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Future Flight Global (FFG), a startup that plans to operate eVTOL and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, for the planned sale of as many as 116 air taxis.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Archer Aviation to Operate Electric Air Taxis in Los Angeles by 2026
Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation is adding a third major U.S. city to its planned air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines. The company on Thursday announced it intends to launch a city center-to-airport network in Los Angeles by 2026, building on its plans to fly in New York City and Chicago. The service is meant to replace one-to-two-hour drives by car with more direct aerial routes while remaining cost competitive with ground-based rideshare options such as Uber and Lyft.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Beta Granted FAA Approval to Begin eVTOL Pilot Training
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)
Joby Aviation Applies for FAA Type Certification in Australia
Reuters reports, “Electric air taxi maker Joby Aviation said on Tuesday [that] it has formally applied for its aircraft to be certified for use in Australia. … Joby’s application to Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority for an FAA type certification validation leverages a bilateral agreement between U.S. and Australian regulators for mutual recognition of aviation approvals and certifications.”
Full Story (Reuters)