2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Autonomous, hybrid-electric Alia MV250 flight tests slated for first half of 2026

Beta and Near Earth Autonomy Partner on Uncrewed Alia Aircraft

David Donald

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Tests illustrate how regular helicopters can be converted for autonomous operations

Honeywell Flies Autonomous Helicopter

Chad Trautvetter

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Working with NASA, company successfully tested autonomous inspection system on Boeing aircraft

Drones Could be Used For Airliner Preflight Checks

Charles Alcock

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Modular payload container could be integrated with multiple air and ground vehicles

Lift, Near Earth Develop Casualty Evac Pod for U.S. Army

The long-term viability of the eVTOL aircraft market will depend on the ability to adapt and certify the segment’s vehicles for autonomous flight, according to Embraer executives assembled at the company’s main facilities in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, for a series of media briefings this week. Discussing the prospects for the eVTOL vehicle under development by&nbsp;Eve Urban Air Mobility, which is <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-12/cash-reserves-boosted-eve-says-its-ready-accelerate-plans-advanced-air">majority-owned</a> by the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer's engineering head Luis Carlos Affonso said a key benefit of advanced air mobility lies with the immunity from pilot shortages full flight autonomy would allow.
Eve aims to start deliveries of its four-passenger eVTOL model in 2026, and already has collected more than 1,800 provisional commitments from operators. Initially, the planned air taxi services will operate with a pilot on board.
“This is something that could dramatically change the economics and allow the industry to grow because today there is a shortage of pilots,” he explained. “If you think of eVTOL [aircraft] today, it’s one pilot for four passengers…Eve will only fulfill the vision of scaling if it is autonomous.”
Eve co-CEO Andre Stein didn’t disagree that, in the long-term, large-scale adoption of eVTOL applications eventually will require flight autonomy. However, he also acknowledged that it will take some time for regulators and the public to accept the concept.
“There is enough market to start,” said Stein. “It’s not like you’re going to have 50,000 aircraft by 2026. But to reach the market that you’re talking about [50,000 aircraft by 2035], you’re going to need [autonomous operation]. But to start you don’t.”
Stein noted that enough markets exist today to make a business case based on the cost savings that an eVTOL machine offers over a conventional helicopter. “Even if you can expect to [operate an eVTOL aircraft] for something about six times less than an equivalent turbine helicopter that can do the same mission, that addresses a lot of markets already,” he explained. “But to scale, I completely agree [with Affonso].”
Stein added that the adoption of autonomous operation will not happen uniformly across various markets. Markets in Asia, for example, will likely see pilotless eVTOL flights before the U.S. does,&nbsp;he explained. “Some regions might have it pretty soon," said Stein. "You’re seeing things happen in China, for example, with other players. But to have that with the FAA might take longer.”
Eve has acknowledged the challenge of overcoming people’s safety concerns about flights with no pilot on board and Stein called for early engagement with the public and regulators. The fact that autonomous ground vehicles will likely come first will also help, he said. “And that’s a much harder point, both in terms of technology and perception,” he said, referring to the adoption of autonomous cars. “So if that’s in place it will help create the perception that these things are safe.”
In fact, Stein maintained, autonomous cars will present more of a technological challenge than autonomous eVTOL operations “by a big margin.”
“It will be a very structured operation…no drunken guy crossing in front of you in the sky,” he said. “You will be flying a known network, you’ll know where you’re going to fly and your alternate even before you take off.”
Embraer and Eve last month concluded a <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-brief/2022-05-10/eves-concept-operations-rio-de-janeiro-offers-urban-air-mobility-blueprint">30-day trial</a> with Brazilian helicopter operator Helisul to evaluate autonomous operations over Rio de Janeiro. &nbsp;The aerial data collection and real-time evaluation of the technologies in urban scenarios used regular piloted helicopters as part of the Embraer Autonomous Systems project (Project EASy).
During the trial, Embraer and Eve and program partners Daedalean, Iris Automation, and Near Earth Autonomy explored various scenarios for takeoff, climb, cruise, approach, and landing phases of flight.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Long-term Business Case for eVTOL Makers will Hinge on Autonomous Operation, say Embraer Execs

Volocopter is partnering with Near Earth Autonomy to complete the development of autonomous flight technology for its unmanned VoloDrone freight-carrying eVTOL aircraft. Pittsburgh-based Near Earth will provide hardware that will be integrated and tested with autonomous flight control software being developed by Volocopter.
The companies plan to demonstrate the systems in a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight demonstration to be conducted during 2022 in Munich, close to where Volocopter is based. In a May 27 announcement, they said that the joint project will aim to establish standardized BVLOS missions for the VoloDrone in providing business-to-business transportation services.
The all-electric VoloDrone is expected to be able to carry a payload of 200 kg (440 pounds) on flights of up to around 40 km (25 miles). With BVLOS autonomous capability, Volocopter estimates the projected market for VoloDrone services to be around $120 billion by 2035. 
The German company aims to start commercial operations with both the VoloDrone and the passenger-carrying VoloCopter model within the next three years. Eventually, it aims to certify the two-seat VoloCopter for autonomous operations, but the partnership with Near&nbsp;Earth is confined to the freight aircraft for now. It is also working on the four-seat VoloConnect aircraft, which will be able to fly up to around 60 miles when it enters service in 2026.
"We are very excited to work together with the leading player in the aerial autonomy industry," said Christophe Hommet, Volocopter's chief engineer for the VoloDrone program. "Near Earth Autonomy has years of experience, shown real results, and is going to help our VoloDrone stay ahead of the curve with autonomous capabilities."
Volocopter has been flight-testing its eVTOL designs for almost 10 years, logging more than 1,000 flight tests with several prototypes. Near Earth says that it has conducted 3,500 flight tests lasting over 2,000 flight hours with its technology installed on several different aircraft types. Its technology is intended to support autonomous aircraft flight without GPS support.
Working with logistics group DB Schenker, which is an investor in the company, Volocopter recently started operational trials to understand how the VoloDrone can be integrated into the cargo delivery process. These are in progress at one of DB Schenker’s facilities in Germany. 
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Managing Editor

Volocopter and Near Earth Join Forces to Develop Autonomous System For VoloDrone

Mark Huber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Near Earth Autonomy

News

Beta and Near Earth Autonomy Partner on Uncrewed Alia Aircraft

Honeywell Flies Autonomous Helicopter

Drones Could be Used For Airliner Preflight Checks

Lift, Near Earth Develop Casualty Evac Pod for U.S. Army

Long-term Business Case for eVTOL Makers will Hinge on Autonomous Operation, say Embraer Execs

Volocopter and Near Earth Join Forces to Develop Autonomous System For VoloDrone

K-Max Leaps From Unmanned to Autonomous Operations

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