A pioneering new project is launching in Coventry to build the foundation for drone and air taxi services in the UK.
Urban Ascent brings together leading organisations across technology, research, and local government to prepare Coventry for a future of safe, sustainable aerial drone mobility. The aim is to develop a city-scale blueprint for integrating drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft into urban environments.
In real life this means assessing how drones could enhance services in areas such as:
- medical logistics – speeding up transport of samples, medicines, and supplies for the NHS
- emergency response – delivering life-saving defibrillators or providing live aerial views enhancing situational awareness
- infrastructure inspection – reducing spending, working at risk and disruption by automating surveys of roads, bridges, and utilities
- urban air taxi preparation – supporting the long-term vision for passenger eVTOL operations to increase mobility and reduce congestion and emission
Councillor Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change said, “Coventry is already leading the way when it comes to drones and their future use in all sorts of areas. This project will see us take the next step in aligning technology with public needs. Here we are talking about things like drones being used to fly urgent medical supplies between hospitals, being used to inspect bridges and roads and even using them to enable an overview of things like road accidents and road congestion. We’re proud to help shape the next chapter of UK aviation from the heart of Coventry.”
Rather than conducting live trials, Urban Ascent focuses on designing the essential frameworks that will make urban drone operations possible in the future including building a business case for urban air mobility and exploring regulatory and infrastructure readiness, including vertiport planning
Mariya Tarabanovska, Innovation Lead – Future Flight at Innovate UK said, “The Urban Ascent project is a strong example of how local authorities, industry, and academia can come together to prepare for the safe and scalable integration of new aviation services which benefit local communities and drive growth across the UK. We’re proud to support this work through the Future Flight programme.”
The work is funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport through the Future Flight Regional Demonstrator programme. Led by Coventry City Council, the consortium includes Skyfarer Ltd, Coventry University, the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), SLiNK-TECH, and Odys Aviation. The consortium is supported by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, building on insights from the earlier Drone Ready Cities initiative funded by the Regional Pioneers Fund.
Coventry City Council, as project lead, is building on its legacy as a transport innovation city – from pioneering the UK’s first electric bus fleet to being a testbed for connected and autonomous vehicles. But each partner brings expertise in aerospace, systems integration, transport research, planning, and public service design, creating a model for place-based innovation.
Skyfarer, a leader in drone operations and flight safety, will act as operational and regulatory lead. The company will coordinate the development of operational procedures, safety frameworks, and integration with national airspace systems.
The Research Centre for Future Transport and Cities at Coventry University will lead the assessment of priority use cases, showcasing how drones could enhance services in logistics, emergency response, and infrastructure management. The team will also develop the business case for urban air mobility in Coventry, providing evidence-based insights on how drone and eVTOL technologies can deliver tangible social and economic value for cities.
Consortium Partners:
Coventry City Council, Skyfarer Ltd, Coventry University, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), SLiNK-TECH, Odys Aviation. Supported by Midlands Aerospace Alliance
Funded by:
Innovate UK and the Department for Transport as part of the Future Flight Programme (Regional Demonstrator Competition)
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Electra.aero, Inc.(Electra) has selected Evolito, a leading developer of electric engines, generators and fully-integrated electric propulsion systems for aerospace, to supply the electric propulsion units (EPUs) for Electra’s groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft that takes off and lands in 150 feet (45 meters).
Evolito will provide Electra with high-performance EPUs that integrate lightweight motors, high-integrity motor controllers, and advanced thermal controls. Engineered for aerospace-grade reliability and efficiency, these EPUs drive the eight propellers along the edge of the EL9’s wing. This distributed electric propulsion system enables the EL9’s ultra-high lift, delivering low airspeeds and precision landings.
“Our production contract with Evolito is a significant step forward for our vision for Direct Aviation—safe, quiet, and affordable air mobility that connects communities in ways never before possible,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.
“Evolito’s lightweight, durable, and cost-effective design will provide exceptional long-term value for operators through low maintenance, long life, and proven reliability.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Electra on the EL9, a game-changing aircraft that aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation,” said Dr. Chris Harris, CEO and Co-founder of Evolito. “Our engine technology is designed for type-certification and scalable production, making it ideally suited to support Electra’s vision for clean, accessible, and efficient regional air travel.”
“Evolito’s EPUs deliver exceptional performance and reliability on a technology chassis with a proven heritage,” noted JP Stewart, Electra’s Senior Vice President, Product Development.
Electra’s nine-passenger EL9 Ultra Short combines patented blown-lift technology and distributed electric propulsion to take off and land in just 150 feet (45 meters), dramatically reducing noise and emissions while unlocking thousands of new access points for air service. Using electric engines to blow air over the wing and large flaps significantly increases wing lift at very slow speeds, allowing the EL9 to take off and land in just 1/10th of the space needed by conventional aircraft. Powered wind tunnel tests of the EL9’s blown wing have validated lift coefficients greater than 20, or seven times greater than the range typical of unblown wings.
With the EL9, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, a new model of regional air mobility that saves travellers time, maximizes existing infrastructure, and connects underserved communities. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and commercial service entry anticipated in late 2029, into 2030 under FAA Part 23 regulations. With over 2,200 pre-orders from more than 60 commercial customers worldwide, including both airlines and helicopter operators, the EL9 is already one of the most in-demand aircraft in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector.
The EL9’s blown-lift technology enables Direct Aviation, a new mode of air travel that uses hundreds of thousands of smaller, more accessible locations to bypass congested airport hubs and bring air travel closer to where travellers live, work, and play.
About Evolito
Evolito is leading electric propulsion and power generation for aerospace with world-leading, light weight axial-flux motors and integrated systems designed for certification and scalable production. Evolito’s electric propulsion systems offer the highest power and torque densities in class. Evolito supports VTOL and fixed-wing applications with propulsion and generation solutions that deliver unmatched power density, efficiency, and safety. The privately held company is based in Oxford. Evolito’s investors include B-Flexion, Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) and HostPlus.
About Electra.aero
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is an advanced aerospace company building hybrid-electric Ultra Short airplanes that achieve unprecedented performance advantages to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the EL9 Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, the next level of connectivity that brings air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra’s Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5x the payload and 10x longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs with significantly greater safety and far less certification risk.
Electra’s team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, and Safran are among Electra’s strategic investors along with Prysm Capital, Statkraft Ventures (Norway’s sovereign fund), the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and other private investors. Electra’s contracted customers include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy, along with over 2,200 letters of intent from 60+ commercial customers, including both airlines and helicopter operators.
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- Archer announced today that it has signed an agreement outlining plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight aircraft to Africa’s largest carrier and Star Alliance member, Ethiopian Airlines, under Archer’s “Launch Edition” program valued at up to $30M.
- The companies will work together to over time build an air taxi network in the region, with Archer planning to provide Ethiopian Airlines with a team of pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial deployment of these early launch edition Midnight aircraft in Ethiopia.
- While the two companies will primarily focus on developing an air taxi network in the region, they will also explore other use cases, including eco-tourism.
Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced today that it has signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, making it the second customer planning to deploy Archer’s Midnight under the “Launch Edition” program. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier and a proud member of Star Alliance, operates an extensive global network, serving over 140 international destinations across five continents. The two will now work to bring an all-electric air taxi network to the region using Archer’s Midnight aircraft.
Archer announced the Launch Edition program in February 2025 in an effort to create a scalable commercialization framework for safely deploying aircraft in early adopter markets, enabling the company to demonstrate the capabilities of its Midnight aircraft, drive public acceptance, build operational experience and generate early revenue.
Archer plans to deploy an initial fleet of Midnight “Launch Edition” aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines with a team of Archer pilots, technicians, and engineers to support this initial deployment. Archer also plans to provide backend software infrastructure and front-end booking applications to help power urban air mobility operations during the Launch Edition program.
While Archer and Ethiopian Airlines will primarily focus on developing an air taxi network in the region using Midnight, the two are also exploring using Midnight for a broader range of use cases, including eco-tourism.
Archer and Ethiopian Airlines formalized this partnership during a signing ceremony this week in Addis Ababa. The two will continue working with the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) to efficiently and safely operationalize Midnight.
Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said, “We are committed to pioneering advanced air mobility solutions that enhance connectivity and drive sustainable aviation in Africa. Our partnership with Archer Aviation marks an important step in bringing cutting-edge eVTOL technology to Ethiopia. Together, we aim to redefine regional travel and create new opportunities for efficient, eco-friendly transportation.”
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said, “Last month we announced Abu Dhabi Aviation as our first Launch Edition customer—today we’re following that up with our second, Ethiopian Airlines. Africa presents an untapped opportunity with regards to advanced air mobility, with a variety of compelling use cases that we’ll be exploring together, and I’m proud to be taking a big step forward here alongside Ethiopian Airlines.”
Alastair Curtis, General Manager, Africa, at Archer, said, “This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines represents a transformative step in bringing sustainable and efficient air mobility solutions to Ethiopia and the broader African market. At Archer, we’re committed to working with forward-thinking partners to unlock the potential of eVTOL technology. This is just the beginning of a new era of aviation for Africa.”
“U.S. aviation companies have time and again highlighted the best of American quality and innovation, and we’re excited at the opportunity for Archer to make an impact in the region while making America more prosperous through its new agreement with Ethiopian Airlines,” said Nathan Stickney, Commercial Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Addis Ababa.
Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is a true African success story, transforming a visionary dream into a globally renowned reality for nearly eight decades. Ethiopian Airlines is committed to environmental sustainability through continuous investment in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, innovative green initiatives, and sustainable aviation practices. As Africa’s leading airline, Ethiopian prioritizes reducing carbon emissions, enhancing operational efficiency, and implementing eco-friendly solutions across its operations. From embracing cutting-edge technology to driving reforestation projects, Ethiopian remains dedicated to building a greener future for global aviation. For more information, please visit www.ethiopianairlines.com
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Electra has revealed the design of its groundbreaking EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric product aircraft, a nine-passenger piloted aircraft built for the electric future that redefines air travel without airports, emissions, or noise. Electra now enters the development phase of the EL9 backed by over a year of successful flight testing of its EL2 Goldfinch two-seat prototype, proving the technology’s readiness for the future of electric aviation.
Electra’s innovative EL9 hybrid-electric propulsion system with blown lift technology enables ultra-short takeoffs and landings in soccer field-size spaces previously limited to helicopters and eVTOLs, but at one-third the cost and with the improved safety and reliability of a fixed-wing aircraft. This unlocks thousands of new locations for direct air service, including small regional airports or unconventional sites like grass fields or parking lots, offering seamless point-to-point regional connectivity for both passengers and cargo. The EL9 aircraft operates with far lower emissions and noise than conventional planes, while its hybrid-electric power system provides extended range and inflight battery recharging, with no ground charging stations required.
“Today’s reveal of the EL9 showcases the dedication of our incredible team and partners,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This aircraft is more than a new design—it’s the gateway to a cleaner, quieter, and more affordable future for regional travel. With the EL9, we’re not just making sustainable aviation a reality, we’re redefining how people and cargo move through Direct Aviation, a new category of safe and seamless travel that brings air mobility closer to where we live, work and play.”
The EL9 combines blown lift technology with distributed electric propulsion using four independent battery packs and a small turbine-powered generator that drives eight electric motors distributed along the wing to provide high lift at low airspeeds. The aircraft can take off and land in as short as 150 feet, and cruises at 175 knots. With range and payload to fly missions that matter, the EL9 will carry nine passengers with baggage or 3,000 pounds of cargo for 330 nautical miles, and has a maximum ferry range of 1,100 nautical miles with IFR reserves. It will be certified for IFR and flight into known icing conditions. While the EL9 will be equipped with two pilot crew stations, Electra’s Safe Single Pilot technology with fly-by-wire controls will enable ease of precision landings for a single pilot.
Electra has over 2,100 orders for the EL9 from 52 operators worldwide, representing more than $8 billion in market value. The first test flights are planned for 2027, with certification and service entry anticipated in 2029 under FAA Part 23 regulations.
The EL9 design was presented at Electra’s headquarters in Manassas, Virginia, to an audience of more than 300 guests, including leaders from the aerospace industry, partners, customers, government officials, media, and friends.
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Supernal LLC – Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company – today announced its return to the biennial Farnborough International Airshow, where it will display its full-scale electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle product concept, S-A2, and share its progress toward launching commercial flights in 2028. The event marks the introduction of S-A2 to the aviation community and is the latest milestone in Supernal’s journey toward realizing safe and efficient everyday passenger air travel.
Following its official debut in January, S-A2 will be on display to the public in Supernal’s airshow chalet (A025). The aircraft is uniquely designed to get people in urban areas to their destinations faster and leverages expertise from Supernal’s aerospace engineering teams in collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group’s automotive designers and manufacturing teams. S-A2 will cruise at 120 mph and have an initial range of 60 miles to meet typical city operation needs. The aircraft utilizes a distributed electric propulsion architecture and will operate quietly to meet community noise standards. Most importantly, S-A2 is engineered to achieve global commercial aviation safety standards with a robust airframe structure that includes redundant components in critical systems such as powertrain, flight controls and avionics.
“We are eager to share Supernal’s latest product milestone – our eVTOL product concept – with the aviation industry as we work to launch commercial Advanced Air Mobility operations in 2028,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “With our ‘right product, right market at the right time’ philosophy, S-A2 embodies critical work Supernal is conducting with fleet operators, suppliers, governments and Hyundai Motor Group to ensure AAM becomes a safe, economically viable and widespread mode of transportation in the coming decades.”
Supernal will initiate prototype testing of S-A2 in 2025; prior to then, the company will begin flying its full-scale technology demonstrator (FSTD). The FSTD test program will inform Supernal’s prototype vehicle by helping to mature and validate vehicle systems, build flight testing capabilities and form strong supply chains. The company today announced GKN successfully delivered the full composite wing assembly for the FSTD and will deliver the booms by the end of the month.
“2024 is a pivotal year for Supernal’s eVTOL development, marking the transition from engineering design to the build and execution phases,” said David McBride, chief technology officer, Supernal. “In addition to gaining instrumental learnings from our full-scale technology demonstrator, we will also begin prototype development and continue refining our production vehicle for scaled manufacturing in the coming months.”
In pursuit of integrating AAM into existing transit options, Supernal continues to convene crucial stakeholders to responsibly co-create the industry’s ecosystem. At the airshow, Supernal will host an industry panel in collaboration with the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, July 24, at 10:00 a.m. Shin and leaders from Honeywell and Kearney will share perspectives on solving AAM challenges to adoption, such as regulatory gaps, the need for new infrastructure and gaining public acceptance. In addition, Supernal will advance and announce efforts related to AAM market development at the airshow.
“We know an eVTOL vehicle is just one piece of the AAM puzzle,” said Shin. “Building the entire ground-to-air ecosystem requires thoughtful collaboration among leaders across all aspects of the industry. The Farnborough International Airshow provides the right platform to do just that.”
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- Stuart Simpson, Vertical Aerospace’s CFO and seasoned FTSE100 executive,
appointed to CEO as company moves to pivotal phase of certifying its VX4 aircraft and
commercialisation. - Founder and current CEO, Stephen Fitzpatrick, continues his role as Board member,
focused on business strategy and delivering on the company’s vision. - Ben Story, who brings 30 years of fundraising, business strategy and leadership
experience from roles at Rolls-Royce, Citi and Transport for London, appointed to
Vertical’s Board.
Vertical Aerospace Ltd. (“Vertical” or the “Company”) (NYSE: EVTL; EVTLW), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering zero emission aviation, has made several leadership appointments as the company moves towards a pivotal phase of certifying its VX4 aircraft and commercialisation.
Stuart Simpson, Vertical’s CFO and seasoned FTSE100 executive with a career which spans 30 years and includes leadership roles across the technology, automotive and logistics sectors, has been appointed to CEO, effective immediately. He will be responsible for leading the execution of the company’s strategy as it progresses towards certification of the VX4 aircraft, bringing it to market, and launching further fundraising activity.
Founder and current CEO, Stephen Fitzpatrick, who recently committed additional capital to the company, will continue to play a prominent role in Vertical as a Board member, focused on business strategy and working with the executive team to deliver on the company’s vision.
Stuart joined Vertical Aerospace in 2023 from Avast, a FTSE100 global leader in digital security and privacy, where he was Group CFO and a member of the leadership team that was responsible for the company’s $9 billion merger with NortonLifeLock in 2021.
Prior to that, Stuart held the roles of Interim Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Royal Mail Group, overseeing the Group’s return to the FTSE100 during his tenure. Concurrently, he was a Board member at GLS Group, a global, technology led, parcel service provider.
Stuart also has extensive automotive industry experience in the UK and internationally, having held several Director roles at General Motors globally and senior positions at Rolls Royce and Bentley Motor Car Company. The process for appointing a new CFO is underway, with Stuart continuing to oversee the company’s financial function in the interim.
In addition, Vertical has strengthened its Board with the appointment of Ben Story, a former Director and Executive Team member at Rolls-Royce, Board member at Transport for London and Managing Director at Citi. Ben brings 30 years of experience at the highest level of industrial technology, energy, transportation, and global finance and will bring invaluable experience to the company along its path to commercialisation.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and Board Member, Vertical Aerospace, said:
“I am immensely proud of all that the team has achieved over the past four years as Vertical leads the world into a new era of electric flight and becomes a British engineering success story. Vertical is now ready to move into an incredibly important phase of development as we begin testing our more advanced, piloted, full-scale prototype, progress towards certification and are preparing for industrialisation.
Stuart’s extensive leadership experience in high growth technology based companies make him incredibly well qualified to lead the company into this next phase and I know he shares my passion to bring the benefits of electric aviation to the world. I look forward to seeing what Vertical is going to achieve under his leadership.”
Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said:
“It’s been phenomenal to experience the progress the business has made since I joined, and I could not be more excited to move into this role. I share Stephen’s confidence that our experienced team, technology, and compelling business model of working with leading industry partners position us very well to successfully develop one of the most advanced electric aircraft in the world.
I look forward to working with our formidable team in progressing our path to certification, bringing in additional investment and taking the VX4 to market.”
The changes come as the final assembly of the new generation full-scale VX4 prototype nears completion, with the aircraft on track to begin a robust test flight programme ahead of intended public demonstrations at Farnborough International Airshow and Heathrow Airport later in 2024. This prototype features next generation propellers, will use Vertical’s proprietary battery technology for the first time, and incorporates much more of the company’s leading aerospace partners’ technology. ”
Mike Flewitt, Chairman of Vertical, said:
“Vertical is moving into a really exciting phase of its corporate evolution, and Stuart and Ben are both fantastic appointments to take the business through it. Both have significant strategic and fundraising experience and in their new roles, they will strengthen what is already a very strong team with decades of experience in certifying and bringing new aircraft to market. I look forward to working alongside both and Stephen as we create a new chapter in travel.”
Ben Story, Board Member of Vertical, said
“I’ve been following the exciting progress Vertical has been making in this nascent sector, and the talented team has achieved so much in a relatively short amount of time. I look forward to playing my part in taking the business into this next exciting phase and bringing the VX4 to market.”
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Drone technology could transform our skies and boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.
From: Department for Transport and Anthony Browne MP
- flying taxis and routine emergency service drones should be a reality by 2028
- new action plan will make sure regulation and infrastructure is in place to support exciting greener, quieter aviation technologies
- comes as Aviation and Technology Minister visits pioneering UK company Vertical Aerospace in Bristol to see technology first-hand
Flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical 999 care deliveries could all be a reality by 2030 thanks to the government and industry’s joint Future of Flight action plan, announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) today (18 March 2024).
Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, the plan details how technology once confined to the realm of sci-fi could transform our skies, with studies estimating drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.
It details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030 – transforming how people and goods are transported.
Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said:
Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality.
From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation – improving people’s lives and boosting the economy.
The plan was unveiled on the same day the minister is due to visit Vertical Aerospace in Bristol – one of the UK companies making flying taxis and at the cutting edge of innovation in aviation.
These greener, quieter flying taxis are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process and have been made possible thanks to rapid advances in battery technology, meaning they are light enough to stay in the air and powerful enough to cover the distances needed.
Some of the other actions set out in the plan include:
- allowing drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
- breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft)
- developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
- engaging communities and local authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies
First imagined in the Flightpath to the Future in 2022, this joint plan between industry and government sets out the strategic direction of the sector over the next 5 years, striking a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions.
The benefits of this new technology are already being seen in the UK. West Midlands Police uses drones to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour. In July 2023, a drone team was deployed, successfully identifying 2 offenders and another suspect at a speed and distance that would have taken ground officers hours to track down.
Drones are also helping frontline NHS staff save lives. For 6 months between October 2022 and March 2023, the UK drone service provider Skyfarer partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Medical Logistics UK to test drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites. In one case, drones reliably helped cut delivery times of surgical implants between Coventry and Rugby hospitals from up to an hour to just 18 minutes – a 70% decrease.
The Future of Flight action plan contains measures to make drone applications and assessments easier by creating new and simple digital platforms that operators can use – ensuring companies and public services are no longer shackled by red tape and get drones up and flying quicker.
It will also enable the development of vertiports – mini-airports for drones and electric aircraft that take off vertically – by developing certification standards and reviewing the use of existing infrastructure to deliver at speed, boost safety and security and put the passenger first.
Industry partners will also undertake multiple industry-leading trials to explore new ways to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight and demonstrate electric aircraft – keeping accidents to a minimum and making the most of technological advances. This could include finding and repairing faults quicker on our railways with fewer delays and cancellations for train passengers, providing new connections across the UK and using technology to help our emergency services.
The Future of Flight action plan comes ahead of the fifth meeting of the Future of Flight Industry Group, a joint force established in February 2023 for government and industry leaders to tackle the biggest challenges facing the sector and set ambitious goals as emerging aviation technologies become more commonplace.
Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports and Chairman of the Future of Flight Industry Group, said:
The UK is home to one of the world’s most important aerospace industries and is in an ideal position to be a pioneer in the next era of aviation. The government and industry have a joint commitment to support the development, industrialisation and introduction of new aviation technologies. Continued collaboration will ensure that we capitalise on the significant domestic and international market opportunities presented by the future of flight.
By supporting research and development in electric aircraft and drones, and with the help of key partners like the CAA, the action plan aims to usher in a new era of eco-friendly aviation and boost the economy with new investments, ensuring the UK captures the full potential of this emerging global industry as a force for good and a driver of growth.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Head of Future Safety and Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
Aviation stands on the cusp of its next, potentially biggest, revolution since the invention of the jet engine. Drones, eVTOL and other different vehicles have the potential to change transportation options forever.
We welcome the firm direction the government’s Future of Flight action plan provides for the industry as it continues to innovate. Our role in this bright future of aviation will be enabling technological advances and providing regulatory support while ensuring that all forms of new aviation technology enjoy the same high safety standards as traditional aviation.
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of UK drone trade association ARPAS-UK, said:
Drones help professional teams capture data from the sky in a safer, cheaper, smarter and greener way and, in the future, they will help transport cargo and people. ARPAS-UK and the industry are looking forward to actively and collectively implementing the actions in the plan so that we can accelerate the safe use of drones by end-user industries. We thank the DfT, CAA and all involved parties for making it happen.
Not only is the Future of Flight action plan a testament to the government’s commitment to advancing aviation technologies, but it gives industry the confidence to continue breaking barriers in the sector. Vertical Aerospace, whose pioneering innovation in electric vertical take-off aircraft is creating a cleaner, quieter way to travel, is just one of several UK-based manufacturers that will benefit from the plan.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said:
]]>The UK has a long heritage in aerospace and the publication of this plan sets out how we will lead the next revolution of flight. With government and business working together, we can unleash the huge economic, environmental, and social benefits of zero emissions flight globally. Vertical is hugely proud to be at the forefront of leading this new chapter.
Introducing the Axion (Model AB8) – a Multi-Purpose Aerial Vehicle based on the flight-proven JetQuad (Model AB6). The Axion has 4-times the power output of the JetQuad and sports eight micro jet-engines for a maximum of 3600N thrust at lift off.
The key differences between the Axion platform and other VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicles:
1. Entirely enclosed jet-engines provide increased levels of weather resiliency and ruggedness. There are no externally moving parts.
2. Innovative thrust deflection allows engine start-up and idle operation on simple concrete surfaces, with no damage impact during take-off. Persons can also easily access the vehicle from the sides during idle operation and full throttle.
3. The platform can be refitted in a matter of hours to match the desired application such as F1-Style Aerial Racer, Medevac (“Air-Stretcher”) or Vertical Cargo Lifter.
4. Quick and easy Diesel refill at your local gas-station.
For more information and specification sheet, head on over to the official site:
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Eve Air Mobility (“Eve”) (NYSE: EVEX, EVEXW) will make its first appearance at the Singapore Air Show next week following a successful 2023 that saw the start of the production of its first full-scale prototype, selection of numerous suppliers and the announcement of its first production facility. The company’s presence will feature its full-scale cabin mock-up and a unique virtual reality flight experience. This is the first appearance of the company’s mock-up in Asia-Pacific and is part of a world tour.
“Eve comes to Singapore with tremendous momentum as we continue the development of our eVTOL, including progressing toward key program milestones,” said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve Air Mobility. “The Asia-Pacific region is an important market for Eve Air Mobility and we are committed to the region as we continue to build diverse relationships and work with our customers and potential customers to bring a new mode of transportation to help ease traffic congestion.”
Cabin Mock-up World Tour Comes to Singapore
Eve’s eVTOL cabin mock-up will make its first appearance in Singapore as part of a world tour that began in 2022 at the Farnborough Air Show. The mock-up showcases Eve’s human-centered design, a quiet, efficient, and sustainable zero-emission eVTOL, and explores its internal features. The vehicle design uses a conventional wing with eight rotors fixed around it, providing vertical take-off and landing capabilities in a simple lift-plus-cruise design, with an accessible seat configuration for a pilot and four passengers.
Virtual Reality
Visitors to Eve’s display (see location information below) will also be able to experience a virtual flight on its eVTOL aircraft through virtual reality technology. The technology, which requires a special headset, enables them to have a unique sense of reality by interacting with and feeling what flying on the company’s eVTOL will look like.
Visit Eve at the Singapore Air Show at:
Eve Air Mobility Display: Exhibition Hall C: #C-C87
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Analysis commissioned by Airservices Australia predicts the annual number of drone flights in Australian skies will surge from 1.5 million a year in 2023 to 60.4 million a year by 2043.
The report, Sizing the future drone and advanced air mobility market in Australia, was produced for Airservices to inform the ongoing discussion on how Australia can best prepare for and benefit from the increasing availability of drone technology.
The exponential growth in drone traffic is expected to be driven by increasing demand from the transport and logistics sector, which is forecast to make up 77 per cent of the increase in drone traffic. The report also predicts that by 2043 Australian farmers will be making 500,000 drone flights annually to monitor crops, while drones will make 1.5 million food deliveries to Australian households.
Emergency services are also forecast to make increasing use of drone technology. More than 300,000 flights will be made annually to support frontline police and 80,000 flights in support of surf lifesavers, while 100,000 patients will be transported to hospital by a specialised new air ambulances, like the hydrogen-powered aircraft ‘Vertiia’ manufactured by Australian aerospace company AMSL Aero.
Drones are already employed widely in Australian agriculture and mining operations, where they are used for operational monitoring, surveying and mapping. Several new market entrants are also delivering food and goods by drone, with more than 120,000 trips per year taking place already.
Electric air taxis are expected to make nearly 1 million flights in 2043, with providers targeting Australian launches to coincide with the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brisbane.
Responsible for the safe and efficient use of Australian airspace, Airservices commissioned the scoping report to inform its future planning for uncrewed aircraft traffic management—a growing part of the aviation industry.
The report notes there is broad agreement among industry stakeholders that achieving and managing the increase in drone traffic will require an appropriate and responsive regulatory framework, and a willingness to work collaboratively to enable the safe and sustainable growth of uncrewed aviation.
“Airservices is building the technology foundations to support increasing drone and air taxi use in Australia, and key to that is collaboration between all stakeholders,” said Jason Harfield, Airservices Australia Chief Executive Officer.
“Airservices’ no.1 priority is safety, and we look forward to working with industry, government and community to chart a course for next-generation technology in Australian skies.”
Luke Gumley, Airservices’ Head of Transformation Uncrewed Services, said: “Airservices is partnering with industry to deliver the backbone to a world-leading air traffic management system for drones which will support the safe and efficient integration of all aircraft including drones and air taxis into Australia’s increasingly busy airspace.
“The Flight Information Management System is being built using innovative digital and automated technologies, cyber resilience, and privacy as core foundations.
“To ensure open and transparent industry engagement, Airservices has drawn together key industry stakeholders to form the Uncrewed Services Advisory Network to enable us to better connect directly with drone and air taxi operators, and the wider aviation industry.”
Airservices is an integral part of the whole-of-government approach to the safe management of drones and air taxis, with emerging aviation technologies expected to be central to the Aviation White Paper scheduled for release later this year.
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry and are investing in technologies to position Australia at the forefront of innovation in the global aviation industry.
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