The Future of Advanced Air Mobility
Charles Alcock

Charles Alcock

Charles Alcock is a senior editor with AIN Publications, having returned to the company in 2019 to launch FutureFlight.aero. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. In his new UK-based role, he focuses on covering new aerospace technologies and international news.

Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at Manchester University in the northwest of England and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

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Early eVTOL Aircraft Deliveries Boost EHang's Revenues

The Chinese company intends to apply for a type certificate for its four-passenger, extended-range VT30 model during 2024.
Five months after earning a type certificate in China, EHang said it is close to securing the production certificate it needs to launch high-rate output of its two-seat EH216-S eVTOL aircraft. With 23 early examples delivered during the fourth quarter of 2023, revenues grew to around $16.5 million as the manufacturer shrunk its operating loss to approximately $10.6 million.
EHang's factory in Yunfu, China

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Vertical's Second VX4 eVTOL Aircraft Almost Assembled for Flight Testing

The UK company is preparing for public demonstrations of the four-passenger model at London's Heathrow Airport and during the Farnborough International airshow.
Vertical Aerospace is pursuing type certification for the VX4 eVTOL aircraft with disciplined control over spending as it receives new funding it said will cover work through the second quarter of 2025. Around 70 percent of the components for its second prototype are new, with many supplied by key partners such as GKN Aerospace.
Vertical Aerospace's VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft will carry four passengers.

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Bravo Air Plans To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL Aircraft

The private charter operator is based in Augusta, Georgia
After establishing a U.S. base in South Carolina, Japan's SkyDrive has reached a sales and partnership agreement with Georgia-based Bravo Air.
SkyDrive is developing a three-seat eVTOL aircraft.

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Atlantic FBOs Prepare To Support Lilium eVTOL Flights

Infrastructure and support will be available at 30 or more U.S. locations
Following its agreement with Lilium, Atlantic Aviation is now partnered with four eVTOL aircraft manufacturers to support operations at its FBOs, also including Joby, Archer, and Beta Technologies.
Lilium Jet eVTOL aircraft.

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Falcon Aviation to Operate Archer eVTOL Aircraft For Dubai to Abu Dhabi Flights

The UAE business aviation group operates helicopters and jets for private and corporate customers.
Following Joby's recent announcement of an exclusive agreement to operate air taxi services within Dubai, rival Archer is staking its own claim to the UAE market through an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based business aviation services group Falcon. The partners aim to launch services in 2025 using existing heliports at the Atlantis resort in Dubai's The Palm development and the Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi's Corniche district.
Falcon Aviation plans to operate Archer's eVTOL aircraft from its heliport at the Atlantis resort in Dubai's The Palm development

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Cranfield Aerospace Integrates Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain into Aircraft Nacelle

The company's partner, aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman, is seeking new investors to ensure its survival.
Having solved the challenge of how to package and install its hydrogen propulsion system, Cranfield Aerospace says it will start assembling the technology demonstrator it will use for ground and flight testing for its planned hydrogen-powered regional airliner.
Cranfield Aerospace plans to convert the Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen propulsion.

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CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL Prototype Unveiled at German Development Base

The all-electric aircraft, which features eight sets of electric motors and rotors, is expected to operate on routes of up to around 50 miles.
Airbus is stepping up ground testing of propulsion systems, flight controls, and avionics as it prepares to start flight testing the four-seat eVTOL aircraft by the end of 2024. On Thursday, it opened its new advanced air mobility development center in Donauwörth, Germany.
CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft at Donauwörth, Germany, test center

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Transcend Will Use HyperDrive Magnetic Levitation Technology for Vy 421 Tilt-wing VTOL Aircraft

The company has partnered with another Boston-based start-up, Maglev Aero, to replace electric motors.
Transcend Air now plans to replace electric motors in its hybrid-electric tiltwing VTOL design with a magnetic levitation propulsion system developed by MagLev Aero. The companies say the tailfin-mounted units will be much quieter than traditional rotorcraft tail rotors.
A digital rendering of the Vy 421 VTOL aircraft

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Volocopter Gets Clearance to Start Early Serial Production of VoloCity eVTOL Aircraft

Germany's LBA civil aviation authority has extended the company's production organization approval.
As it urgently seeks to complete EASA type certification for its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft by this summer, Volocopter has gained clearance to start a preliminary phase of serial manufacturing at its facilities in Bruchsal, Germany. The company also is now cleared to operate an approved training organization allowing it to train eVTOL aircraft pilots.
Volocopter's eVTOL assembly line in Bruchsal, Germany

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Lyte Aviation Expands LA-44 Hydrogen-Electric VTOL Aircraft Family to Offer Business Aviation Model

Like the 44-seat SkyBus and freight-carrying SkyTruck versions of the aircraft, the LA-44 X Prime will be priced at around $44 million and enter service around the end of the decade.
South Korean transportation group Ghenus Air has agreed to buy 10 of Lyte Aviation's LA-44 aircraft, including 3 of the new X Prime version that will feature a 19-seat cabin for private and business aviation customers. Lyte Aviation aims to have a prototype of the hydrogen-electric VTOL aircraft ready to fly in 24 months from now.
Lyte Aviation's LA-44 X Prime hydrogen-electric aircraft