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NASA Flying LA-8 Testbed

NASA Flying LA-8 Testbed

  • 12 Jun 2020 01:41 PM
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NASA Langley Research Center on April 24 premiered a video describing its Langley Aerodrome 8 (LA-8) modular unmanned aerial vehicle, a testbed the agency called a “flying laboratory for urban air mobility.” NASA is using the LA-8 to investigate different eVTOL technologies and configurations in the hopes of aiding the private sector in establishing the UAM market.

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ElectraFly and Utah Association to Collaborate on 3D Parts

ElectraFly and Utah Association to Collaborate on 3D Parts

  • 12 Jun 2020 01:31 PM
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The Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI), a multi-disciplinary association working to strengthen the state’s manufacturing and technical capabilities, announced April 14 it had partnered with Salt Lake City, Utah-based personal flying vehicle developer ElectraFly to create 3D-printed carbon fiber aircraft parts for its hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft.

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eCTOL News - June 2020

eCTOL News - June 2020

  • 12 Jun 2020 01:25 PM
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Electric propulsion system designer MagniX and engineering, testing and certification firm AeroTEC conducted the first flight of an all-electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) modification to a Cessna Caravan 208B plane on May 28. AeroTEC called the 11-seat eCaravan (shown) the largest commercial electric aircraft to date.

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AI Software Developer Daedalean Gaining Momentum

AI Software Developer Daedalean Gaining Momentum

  • 11 Jun 2020 12:08 PM
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Daedalean AG — a four-year-old Swiss startup developing aircraft-agnostic flight control software using computer-vision and machine-learning to perform tasks ranging from pilot augmentation to fully autonomous flight — is conducting a Series B funding round with a $25M goal by the end of this year.

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USMC Part of Agility Prime

USMC Part of Agility Prime

  • 17 May 2020 09:41 AM
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The US Marine Corps announced March 10 (during a VFS-organized media briefing) its intention to partner with the US Air Force on the latter’s Agility Prime project, contributing funding and potential use cases towards the goal of accelerating commercial certification and assessing potential government uses for non-traditional electric or hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft. Like the USAF, the Marine Corps said it hopes to nurture...

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Urban Aero, Ascent Partner for Asian UAM

Urban Aero, Ascent Partner for Asian UAM

  • 17 May 2020 09:39 AM
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Israeli ducted-fan VTOL maker Urban Aeronautics announced on March 20 a partnership with Singapore-based helicopter charter booking company Ascent Flights Global to offer UAM services in Asia using the CityHawk, a six-seat manned VTOL aircraft manufactured by Urban subsidiary Metro Skyways. Although currently powered by a turboshaft engine, the aircraft is being designed for operational conversion to a hydrogen-powered eVTOL....

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eCTOL News

eCTOL News

  • 17 May 2020 09:38 AM
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France’s VoltAero conducted the first flight of its Cassio 1 hybrid-electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft on March 10 at its Royan-Médis Aérodrome facility. The testbed aircraft was powered by two 80-hp (60-kW) Safran ENGINeUS 45 electric motors with forward-facing propellers, three 80-hp Emrax electric motors driving a rear pusher prop, and a 402-hp (300-kW) modified Nissan V6 internal combustion...

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eVTOL Aircraft Damage Reports

eVTOL Aircraft Damage Reports

  • 16 May 2020 08:10 PM
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The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded on March 27 that the crash of an unmanned Kitty Hawk Heaviside (above, Kitty Hawk credit) eVTOL during an Oct. 17, 2019, developmental test flight in Tres Pinos, California, was caused by a software timing error affecting the aircraft’s controllability. The timing error had, in turn, been caused by an operator failing to terminate a battery charging script prior to...

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Stealth-Mode Archer Startup Poaching UAM Talent

  • 16 May 2020 07:18 PM
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A secretive eVTOL aircraft startup has been reportedly hiring away experienced engineers from other urban air mobility (UAM) companies, according to Aviation Today on April 6. The publication’s unnamed sources said Archer Aviation of Santa Clara, California, has collected a team of about 20 individuals, including previous employees from Kitty Hawk and from Airbus’ Vahana demonstrator team. The sources added that Archer...

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