Archer transitions, Falcon 6X, Climate Impulse and more (The Allplane Newsletter #158)
Advanced Air mobility
Archer has managed to complete the first transition flight of the Midnight eVTOL (it had already achieved this feat some time ago with its smaller demonstrator model) and has posted a cool video of the process.
XTI Aerospace is an eVTOL developer you usually don’t hear that much about, but it looks like it signed a 100-aircraft deal with Mesa Airlines, a US regional operator that flies feeder services for other larger carriers.
Lilium has set up a Chinese legal entity and will open a base in the Bao’an District of Shenzhen, a city that is emerging as China’s eVTOL hub. READ.
EHang has been testing its eVTOL in Mecca, as Saudi authorities plan to use it to carry Hajj pilgrims in the future. READ.
EVE keeps posting videos showing how its first prototype is taking shape:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Emirates has started using SAF on its flights departing Singapore. The fuel is produced by Neste locally at its Singapore refinery. This is one of several airports where Emirates loads up on SAF, adding to London Heathrow, Paris (CDG), Lyon and Oslo. READ.
And to learn more about Neste and its recently inaugurated Singaporean SAF plant, you can listen to this podcast we did with Jonathan Wood, VP Renewable aviation at the Finnish eneergy firm.
Hydrogen Aviation
Swiss aviation explorer and entrepreneur Bertrand Piccard shared some details of his new project: circumnavigating the globe on a hydrogen-powered aircraft called the “Climate Impulse”.
And a twit by Jordan Taylor that highlights one of the major difficulties of hydrogen…
Other Aviation Sustainability Stories
LTA Research has provided an update on its airship development. The Pathfinder 1, is already being tested indoors and, from the information available, it looks like outdoor tests should start soon as well.
IATA’s SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, shared this organization’s views on what is the best way to decarbonize the industry.
Other interesting aviation stories
airBaltic’s CEO, Martin Gauss, shared some details of the airline’s recent bond refinancing as well as the future IPO plans and some more. READ THE INTERVIEW.
El Al is ready to order 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
One of Southwest Airlines largest shareholders, activist fund Elliott, is really upset with the airline’s current management.
My comprehensive Emirates Business Class flight Review.
A visual recap of the recent EBACE business aviation show.