Blue Skies.
What's happening around the globe with Drones, eVTOL, Air Taxis and the UAV industry.
The Round Up.
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History
The idea of the flying car has captivated the imaginations of inventors and futurists for centuries. From Leonardo da Vinci's designs for a "flying chariot" in the 15th century, to the AeroMobil prototype unveiled in 2014, the dream of personal airborne transportation has always been tantalizingly close, yet just out of reach.
In the early 20th century, several inventors and entrepreneurs attempted to bring the flying car to fruition. Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer of aviation, developed a prototype for a flying car called the Autoplane in 1917. The Autoplane was intended to be a hybrid vehicle that could be driven on roads and then, with the flip of a switch, transform into an airplane. However, the technology of the time was not advanced enough to make the Autoplane a practical or viable mode of transportation. The dream of the flying car would have to wait for another generation of innovators to take up the challenge.
Growth
The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVToL) industry has seen a surge in research and investment in recent years, as companies and governments look to this technology as a solution for urban transportation and delivery. While eVToLs, or "flying cars," have been a fixture of science fiction for decades, they are now on the cusp of becoming a reality.
One of the major players in the eVToL industry is Joby Aviation, which recently secured $590 million in funding from investors including Toyota and JetBlue. Joby's eVToL, called the S4, is designed to be an all-electric aircraft capable of carrying up to four passengers at a time. The company plans to use the funding to accelerate the development and testing of the S4, with the goal of beginning commercial operations in the next few years.
Another company making waves in the eVToL space is Vertical Aerospace, which recently completed a successful test flight of its VA-1X prototype. The VA-1X is a fully electric aircraft that can carry up to four passengers and is designed for short-haul trips. The company plans to begin testing the VA-1X with paying customers in the near future, with the goal of launching commercial operations in the coming years.
In addition to these private sector efforts, governments around the world are also investing in eVToL technology. For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently announced a partnership with German firm Volocopter to develop an eVToL network in the city of Dubai. The network, which is set to launch in the next few years, will initially consist of a fleet of nine fully electric aircraft that will be used to transport passengers between various points in the city. The US military and the Chinese state are also making large scale steps into the industry, more on that below.
While the eVToL industry still has some way to go before these flying cars become a common sight in our cities, the recent research and investments suggest that we are getting closer every day from a technical and engineering perspective. As eVToL technology continues to advance and mature, it has the potential to revolutionize urban transportation and delivery, providing a fast and efficient way for people and goods to move around our increasingly congested cities and in a sustainable way.
Investors Predict Growth In eVTOL Orders
In a recent study released by Horizon Aircraft, 96% of senior venture capital and private equity professionals predict more eVTOL orders in the coming years, with just 2% indicating little or no increase. The study represents input from investors across the globe.
(Horizon Aircraft)
According to research 66% of venture capital and private equity professionals in the sector expect the global order book for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to exceed 8,000 per year by 2025 with orders in excess of $30bn. The study also found that investors expect manned advanced air mobility aircraft to continue to dominate the order books. By 2025, 72% of private equity and venture capital professionals predict that these aircraft will make up between 80% and 90% of orders.
NASA - Safe Air Taxi Flights
(NASA)
Tabletop exercises allow researchers to explore options and test scenarios in fields from military strategy and cybersecurity to disaster response planning. NASA is now using tabletop exercises to test how electric air taxis will fit safely into the national airspace.
US Military eVTOL - A Tech Race With China
The US Air Force's Agility Prime program has invested over $100m since 2020 into the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, known as air taxis, as concerns mount over Chinese drone manufacturer DJI's dominant market share. DJI currently controls more than 75% of the global drone market, raising fears among US officials that the company's drones could be used for espionage in American airspace. The military's backing of eVTOLs has not only helped US developers secure billions in funding, but has also increased the likelihood that they will be able to compete in the civilian market in the future.
(Wikipedia)
How Should Airports Prepare for Electric Aircraft?
The master plan for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas includes a proposed redevelopment of the existing Dallas CBD Vertiport to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. The facility’s existing heliport–one of the largest in the world and initially designed to accommodate the civilian version of the V-22 Osprey–has been proposed to be relocated to the top of the redeveloped convention center. By 2035, battery-electric aircraft might account for one to five percent of the overall U.S. fleet of aircraft.
Los Angeles A Pioneering Center For Air Taxi Operations?
The certification of eVTOLs by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in 2025 is expected to be the milestone that will open the way for air taxi operations throughout the U.S. By that time, Los Angeles will already be one step ahead, due to many strategic collaborations, including with Overair and Skyports.
Eve Announces Brazilian Development Banks Approval Of $92.5m Credit To Support Development Program
Eve announces approval of $92.5 million line of credit to support eVTOL development program. Both credit lines are expected to offer beneficial terms and conditions with a 12-year maturity and amortization grace period. Eve holding inc- first credit line is expected to be granted by climate fund. The second line of credit is expected to be granted by innovation finance.
(aviationtoday)
Sikorsky To Enter The Field With New Hybrid eVTOL
The Lockheed Martin subsidiary is on track to begin building the demonstrator aircraft sometime in 2023, he said. It will use the Matrix autonomy system as its core operating system
(Ted Carlson)
Archer Selects Molicel to Supply Battery Cells for its Production Midnight Aircraft
Archer Aviation Inc., a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and E-One Moli Energy Corp. (Molicel), an industry-leading supplier of lithium-ion battery cells, announced they have entered into a memorandum of understanding for Molicel to manufacture and supply the battery cells for Archer’s production electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight.
(Archer)
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Papers, Books & Research Articles
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20205000636/downloads/2021-08-20-eVTOL-White-Paper-Final_V48.pdf