Kerry Lynch

Market research from Valuation Reports is estimating that the market for electric aircraft reached $6.754 billion in 2020—even though few had entered service—but will reach $9.566 billion by 2027 as deliveries ramp up and so too does demand for sustainability.

The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act (AAIM), H.R.6270, would direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program that would provide planning and construction grants to support advanced air mobility infrastructure development. The proposed legislation closely mirrors a bill that has already been backed by the U.S. Senate.

Honda says that its gas turbine hybrid propulsion system will support a range of up to 249 miles for its planned eVTOL aircraft. In a September 30 announcement, it published few details as to its timeline for type certification and how it intends to achieve this objective.

As advanced air mobility nears market entry in the next several years, industry leaders agree that much work lies ahead on building out the infrastructure and tackling key issues such as autonomy, safety, and security. But those leaders, speaking during a webinar hosted by Helicopter Association International (HAI) last week, agreed that the existing ground infrastructure in place can provide a starting point for such operations.

During a recent webinar hosted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), participants debated how soon the urban air mobility sector might be providing transportation alternatives, given issues surrounding certification basis, automation, and training. Participants believe flexibilities in FAA Part 23 rules are enabling technological advancements, but automation will be a slow process, and training must remain in focus.

Revealing its initial customers for the eFlyer 800, Bye Aerospace said Jet It and JetClub signed a purchase agreement including orders and options for the seven-passenger cabin-class aircraft, along with purchase deposits for four eFlyer 4 aircraft.  As launch customers, Jet It founder and CEO Glenn Gonzales and JetClub founder and CEO Vishal Hiremath will join Bye Aerospace’s Strategic Advisory Council for the eFlyer.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America. is encouraging local communities and their airports to engage with companies advancing sustainability and emerging technology for the industry as a why to reinvent themselves and stimulate prosperity. Arlington in Washington state is a classic case in point, having recently attracted Eviation to relocate its program to develop a nine-passenger electric aircraft called Alice to the town's general aviation airport.

Responding to a call from Airbus, Air France-KLM, Groupe ADP, and the Choose Paris Region for airport hydrogen projects, the selected 11 organizations and/or consortiums proposed a range of projects surround distribution, storage, development, use, and lifecycle of hydrogent.

Stakeholders backing electric aviation and plans for new urban air mobility initiatives had the chance to make the case for more proactive U.S. political leadership in support of their efforts. Those giving evidence to the U.S. House of Representatives this week included MagniX CEO Roei Ganzarski and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, as well as Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told members of the U.S. National Business Aviation Association that the agency is establishing a dedicated executive council to address a wide array of tasks associated with the development of advanced air mobility technology and services. Dickson announced the move a day after the U.S. Senate joined the House of Representatives in considering a new Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act.