FlyFree eVTOL takes off like five quadcopters strapped together
By Loz Blain
April 09, 2024
How did we miss this one? This Spanish eVTOL has been flying in prototype form for a number of years now, using a unique 4x4-prop FlyFree tilting mechanism designed to keep the cabin level – and a new five-seat design takes things up a level.
Madrid-based Crisalion Mobility (formerly UMiles Next) has an integrated vision for the future of transport, with a range of autonomous and remote-controlled ground vehicles working in fleet-managed concert with electric VTOL aircraft to streamline cargo and passenger operations.
As such, the company has designed a range of little autonomous, chain-capable mobility pods, golf carts, baggage carts, personal minicars and even the super-slick rock-carrying future dump truck below, which wouldn't look out of place on the Moon.
Beta Alia eVTOL nails first piloted heli-to-airplane transition
By C.C. Weiss
April 23, 2024
Ever since its launch, we thought Vermont's Beta Technologies might prove itself the real deal in an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) world dominated by renderings, concepts, prototypes and other "maybe somedays."
That was back in 2020, and the company has since emerged a leader in the space. Now it's taken another major step, becoming the first to perform a successful transition – from helicopter-style hovering to airplane-like cruising – with a pilot on board. And it's kindly captured the achievement on video.
A big reason Beta landed the #2 spot on the Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index (AAM RI) back in 2021 was that it had just received the very first military airworthiness approval for manned electric aircraft flight, meaning the Air Force was confident enough to put its own pilot in the seat and take flight. A few months ago, Beta delivered the Alia platform (in conventional takeoff and landing/CTOL form) to the US Air Force at Florida's Eglin Air Force Base.
China green-lights mass production of autonomous flying taxis
The EHang EH216-S autonomous flying taxi is the first eVTOL ready for mass production and could lead the way for flying cars around the world.
Autonomous flying taxis could soon be a reality after vehicle manufacturer EHang obtained the world’s first production certificate to manufacture them in China.
EHang's EH216-S "passenger-carrying pilotless" electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle received clearance to be mass-produced from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), company representatives announced in a statement on April 7.
Many companies manufacture eVTOLs, but they have so far only been developed as prototypes for test flights. This decision represents a notable step towards introducing eVTOLs commercially.
"Our vision is to introduce safe and reliable pilotless eVTOL aircraft to the global market, thereby offering safe, autonomous and eco-friendly air mobility services to everyone," Huazhi Hu, CEO of EHang, said in the statement. The production certificate gives EHang the go-ahead to manufacture flying cars, encompassing the sourcing of raw materials, supply chain management, quality control and testing, in addition to after-sales repair and maintenance — all verified by comprehensive reviews and inspections.
