Category Filtering: 'vertiflite'
Normally this column corrects erroneous use of terminology and proffers definitions to be used as canonical. As the second in an extended series intended to bring clarity, this installment deviates as it highlights common aviation certifications.
After a heady and hectic summer (see “eVTOL Leaders Continue to Partner for Growth,” Vertiflite, Sept/Oct 2023), the leading developers of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft settled into a familiar rhythm as each sought to demonstrate progress towards launching commercial operations.
In conjunction with the 18th UAS Summit & Expo, the HYSKY Society held its first conference, FLYING HY. Headed by former VFS hydrogen advisor Danielle McLean — who initiated the hydrogen electric vertical takeoff and landing (H2eVTOL) aircraft efforts at VFS — the educational non-profit HYSKY is a spinoff of the VFS H2eVTOL Council.
The 1,700-nm (3,200-km) journey covered 16.5 hours of total flight time, including rest stops, charging stops and media events at 21 airports — including a hop from Plattsburgh International Airport (KPBG) to KBTV on the morning of Oct. 10 — as the aircraft traversed 12 states. Alia will remain at Duke Field into the winter for flight testing by both the US Air Force (USAF) and Beta test pilots.
On Sept. 27, Beta Technologies made the first international flight of its all-electric Alia electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft prototype, N250UT, from Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) in New York to Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Quebec.
On Sept. 4, eVTOL Insights released a special report on women in the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.
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.
