Flight Forward: Weekly Updates on AAM and UAS
Welcome to our brand new blog series, "Flight Forward: Weekly Updates on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)" on the Global Aerial Management Group website. In this series, we'll be bringing you a curated selection of the latest news headlines that are shaping the future of AAM and UAS industries. From technological breakthroughs to regulatory updates, industry partnerships, and beyond, our goal is to keep you informed and engaged with the rapidly evolving world of aerial transportation and unmanned systems. Join us each week as we explore five top news stories that highlight the innovation, progress, and potential of AAM and UAS. Buckle up and get ready to soar into the future of flight with us!
Image: Airbus
1. CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Unveiled at German Development Base
Airbus unveiled the full-scale prototype of its CityAirbus NextGen electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at its facility in Donauwörth, Germany. This four-passenger model is set to undergo flight testing later this year. The aircraft is designed for short flights of up to approximately 80 kilometers at speeds of 120 km/h, boasting a 12-meter wingspan. It features multiple rotors for vertical lift and various propellers for propulsion. Ground tests on the electric motors and rotors have already commenced, with the engineering team also focusing on flight controls and avionics in preparation for the upcoming flight trials. Airbus considers this unveiling and the establishment of the Donauwörth base as significant milestones in its commitment to the advanced air mobility sector.
Image: Signature
2. Signature Aviation Electrifies FBO Locations with Beta's Aircraft Chargers
Signature Aviation partners with Beta Technologies to introduce electric aircraft chargers at its fixed-base operators (FBOs) along the U.S. East Coast. The initial charging station was launched at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire, with plans for installations at more locations in the pipeline. Beta's charging stations can power electric aircraft and ground vehicles. Beta's infrastructure currently includes 19 operational sites and an additional 50 in progress across the eastern U.S. In parallel, Beta is developing electric air taxis for future service. Signature, based in Orlando, Florida, manages over 200 FBO sites worldwide, offering various services to business aviation clients. The collaboration aligns with Signature's commitment to sustainability, exemplified by its recent carbon neutrality achievement in 2022.
Image: SkyDrive
3. SkyDrive Launches Production of SD-05 eVTOL Prototype
SkyDrive, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer based in Toyota, Japan, has begun production of its "SKYDRIVE (SD-05)" prototype at Suzuki Motor Corp.'s plant in Iwata-city, Shizuoka, Japan. This development signifies a crucial step in SkyDrive's mission to transform urban air mobility. The inaugural riveting ceremony on March 6, attended by key figures from SkyDrive and Suzuki, symbolized the start of production and highlighted the partnership between the two companies. With plans to enter the U.S. market and establish a base in Beaufort County, SkyDrive aims to create an advanced air mobility ecosystem in South Carolina while collaborating with local and state authorities. By emphasizing safety, affordability, reduced noise, and emissions, SkyDrive, through its arm Sky Works Inc. and collaboration with Suzuki, is dedicated to providing innovative aerial mobility solutions. The company intends to showcase its eVTOL aircraft at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, demonstrating the potential of eVTOL technology on a global platform.
Image: Whisper Aero
4. Whisper Aero Proposes 100-Seat Electric 'Jetliner' Concept
Whisper Aero has introduced a groundbreaking concept for a 100-seat electric airliner, aiming to support the aviation industry's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The proposed Whisper Jetliner features innovative upper surface blowing technology with electric ducted fans integrated into the wing's leading edge, enhancing performance metrics such as lift coefficient and wing loading, thereby improving the cruise lift-to-drag ratio. This design includes an outboard horizontal tail configuration to optimize aerodynamic efficiency.
Whisper Aero has presented this concept to NASA under the Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) program to receive funding for further development. The startup, known for its ultraquiet and ultraefficient electric ducted fans, envisions leveraging advancements in battery energy densities to achieve a range of 770 miles for the Jetliner by 2050. Despite requiring a 4-megawatt turbine-based range extender for reserve energy needs, the Jetliner boasts a significantly lower energy cost of $733 for a 500-mile trip compared to $2,100 for the A220, showcasing the economic benefits of electric propulsion in the aviation sector.
