e-flight-journal

On 9 August 2023 the British eVTOL startup Vertical Aerospace filed a K-6 form to the Securities and Exchang Commission (SEC) revealing an accident involved with its VX4 eVTOL prototype.

According to the filing, VX4 had an accident on Wednesday August 9, 2023 during flight testing at its Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport, UK. The aircraft was remotely piloted and there were no injuries.
 
Vertical Aerospace stated in the filing that the flight test programme is designed to establish the limits of the aircraft’s performance, and the incident occurred during an uncrewed test of the aircraft’s maneuverability during a motor failure test scenario, which is a key requirement to progress to crewed operations. They are working closely with the relevant authorities.

VX4 prototype of Vertical Aerospace

Ther American eVTOL startup Archer announced that it has significantly expanded its partnership with the DoD by signing new contracts with the U.S. Air Force with a total value of up to $142 million including the delivery of up to six of Archer’s Midnight aircraft to the Air Force, the sharing of additional flight test data and certification related test reports, pilot training, and the development of maintenance and repair operations.

According to Archer, this is the largest contract of the U.S. Air Force’s „Agility Prime“ program as of today. Archer has been partnering with the DoD since 2021 on a series of projects through the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX program with the goal of helping the AFWERX Agility Prime program assess the transformational potential of the vertical flight market and eVTOL technologies for DoD purposes. Now, with Archer recently completing the manufacturing of its first Midnight aircraft, the DoD recognizes that with its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, target payload of approximately 1,000lbs, proprietary electric powertrain system, and low noise profile, Archer’s aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift in military aviation and operations. These aircraft hold the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles, from personnel transport and logistics support to rescue operations and more. Archer’s Midnight aircraft are expected to provide a safer and quieter alternative to helicopters while being more cost-effective for the U.S. military to transport, operate and maintain in the field.

Autoflight, a leading eVTOL company with facilities in China and Germany, annouced on July 27 2023 that they have successfully executed a world’s first formation flight of three autonomous eVTOL aircraft in Shanghai.

Three of Autoflight’s „Prosperity I“ eVTOL were involved in the groundbreaking flight, demonstrating the company’s capability in rapid prototype design, manufacturing, and its ambition to shape the future of aerial transportation.

„We aim to complement urban and regional means of transport for all people by building very safe, quiet, and affordable airtaxis,“ says Tian Yu, Founder of Autoflight, who has decades of experience developing and delivering remotely piloted aircraft at an immense scale.

Lukasz Gadowski, legendary technology entrepreneur, investor, and backer of Autoflight, adds, „It is a delight to be part of a venture that’s reshaping the frontiers of technology and innovation. With this successful flight, we have set a new standard for the eVTOL industry.“

The company, with dual headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, and Shanghai, China, previously achieved a world record flight in February 2023 where one of their prototypes covered 250 km on a single battery charge, demonstrating the potential for sustainability in the sector.

Over the past 18 months, Autoflight has continued to revolutionize eVTOL technology, achieving a series of world firsts: the first full-scale eVTOL transition flight in January 2022 and the first eVTOL full length flight video release in June 2022.

The record-setting formation flight saw three generations of the „Prosperity I“ aircraft, indicating the rapid evolution of the aircraft’s development. The company plans to make the prototypes into products, with a cargo version set to be released for safe cargo transport in Asia next year, and a passenger version gradually developed in the coming years, meeting the highest safety standards for aviation.

„The formation flight is a testament to our commitment towards making aerial transport safe, sustainable, and accessible,“ says Mark Henning, former Airbus Helicopter Engineering Chief and head of the Autoflight Europe team. „We have much more to come.“

For more information: https://autoflight.com

On 20 July 2023, the all-electric eDA40 of Diamond Aircraft made its first flight at Diamond Aircraft’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt in Austria. This marks a significant milestone for the manufacturer and is a big step towards certifying the aircraft. The first flight was piloted by Diamond’s Head of Flight Test Sören Pedersen the maiden flight covered system checks, all basic maneuvers and initial performance evaluation.

Diamond Aircraft annouced the eDA40 project in 2021 which will apply for EASA/FAA Part 23 certification. eDA40 is designed to target the flight training market. The electric propulsion is an ENGINeUS^TM electric smart motor with 130kw peak power by Safran Electrical & Power and charged by Electric Power Systems’ (EPS) battery module equipped with a Direct Current (DC) fast charging system. eDA40 is designed to have 90 minutes duration and 20 minutes quick recharge which should be good enough for the circuit flights of flight training.

The eDA40 is scheduled to be presented at AERO Friedrichshafen and e-Flight-Expo from 17-20 April 2024.

For more information about eDA40: https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/flight-school-solution/electric-aircraft/

The Wisk Generation 5 Lift and cruise aircraft flew at Airventure Oshkosh for the first time. The 2 seater aircraft was flying unmanned automated but under human supervision.

some more impressions from the world largest Airshow

Very interesting talks at the second day of the Electric Aircraft Symposium:

Panel on Leisure eVTOL in Oshkosh.

2 days to go for the world’s largest Aviation event, Airventure Oshkosh to start Exhibitors getting into their show booths. Several electric aircraft and eVTOL manufacturers are expected. But conventional Aircraft will still be the major Focus of this event.

Diamond DA 50 on the way to the Diamond exhibit.

Panel: Community Integration – with: Yolanka Wulff Cami , Rex Alexander 5 Alpha, Starr Ginn NASA, Grant Fisk Volatus

At the same time the VFS Electric Aircraft Symposium (EAS) in the University of Wisconsin has started at Saturday morning .

Speakers of world leading companies like Joby, Archer, Beta, Wisk , Skydrive, Rolls Royce etc as well as NASA.

The EAS continues until Sunday 5:30 PM – you may also join online – more info at –https://vtol.org/eas.

Mike Romanowski from Archer talking at EAS on the progress of their eVTOL

on July 19 2023 the corporate registry in China indicated that a company called „Commercial Aicraft Times“(商飞时代）was formed. What is interesting is that this is a joint venture among CATL, the largest lithium battery manufacturer in the world, COMAC （China’s Airbus/Boeing equivalent and the manufacturer of China’s C919 jetliner) and Shanghai Jiaotong University (Jiaotong means „transportation“ in Chinese and by no accident it is the alma mater of the founder and chairman of CATL). The name of the joint venture is obviously a combination of COMAC and CATL in Chinese language.

According to the description of the business scope in the corporate registry, the joint venture company’s business scope includes “ the design and production of civil aircraft parts, civil aircraft (engine, propeller) production, battery sales, etc.“

This partnership may be not a surprise considering that the three parties have already signed a MoU last year and CATL mentioned the possible aviation use at the introduction event unveiling its latest battery technology at Shanghai Auto Show in this April. It should be very interesting to see the outcome of this partnership.

Next to the big electric highlights of the show like the debut of the Autoflight Prosperity, the Voltaero Cassio 330, and the Archer Midnight there were many new sustainable projects in the halls and on the airfield. Have a first look at our images and read more in our next e-flight-Journal – coming soon.

https://www.voltaero.aero/en/

local media reports that the German eVTOL manufacturer Lilium signed an agreement with the government of Bao’an district of Shenzhen city to set up their Asia headquarter in Bao’an district.

Lilium also reportedly signed 100 pre-order with a local helicopter operator.

As a background, Shenzhen is the head office of Tecent who is the largest shareholder of Lilium and who invested extra $100mn in Lilium in May