Virgin switches to Joby, Volocopter acquired & more (The Allplane Newsletter #183)
Electric aviation
It was Verticon in Texas, with the rotorcraft industry showing the latest novelties, including magniX new electric motor for helicopters. So, what’s the difference between an electric helicopter and an eVTOL, I hear? well, that’s a whole thing to be debated…
Another deal for Electra.aero in India, this one with Hunch Mobility. Prior to this, Electra.aero had already signed a deal in India with JetSetGo.
Advanced Air Mobility
Joby is partnering with Virgin Atlantic. The British airline is planning to launch services connecting London Heathrow and Manchester airports to destinations on their respective hinterlands and connect onto the airline’s long haul network.
Pretty interesting development, since Virgin Atlantic had, until recently, a partnership with Vertical Aerospace to do the same thing! It turns out that deal was dropped in favour of this one.
It is also the case that Joby is already partners with Delta Air Lines, which is, in turn a major shareholder of Virgin Atlantic AND Joby seems to be closer to certification than Vertical Aerospace, so, if you wish to be first you will have to go with what’s available.
Volocopter may be saved, after all, with Chinese capital coming to the rescue. The eVTOL developer has been acquired reportedly for €10 million. Enough to get back in the game? Will see…in the meantime, the company has confirmed it is to remain in Germany.
French eVTOL developer Ascendance has selected the, already EASA-certified, Safran ENGINeUS electric motor. Note aside, while not sure where it is when it comes to its development, Ascendance seems to have one of the coolest (and most outlandish designs in the eVTOL space!)
Indian eVTOL startup ePlane says it is ready to start testing its two-seater e200X by the middle of this year and get certified next year, all while looking to raise between $20 and $50M…this sounds rather ambitious, to say the least, even if it has relatively lower costs than other developers.
Amazing pics of BETA Technologies’ CX300 ALIA flying over the Grand Canyon.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Ch-aviation reports that Denmark has dropped its plans to have a 100% SAF-powered domestic route this year. That was always quite a bold plan, considering the lack of engines that are certified to do that!
Hydrogen Aviation
German hydrogen aircraft startup APUS is declaring insolvency. Hard times for hydrogen aviation!
In the meantime, ZeroAvia has come up with a modular and simplified version of its fuel cell system which could power UAVs and eVTOLs.
Other sustainable aviation stories
The UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has created a toolkit for companies looking to develop new aircraft concepts and is holding a session to provide some guidance on how to use its data tools.
Volotea is getting into Direct Air Carbon capture through Google-backed 280 Earth.
What else in aviation?
An Executive Spotlight interview with one of the world’s fastest growing airlines: Güliz Öztürk, CEO of Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines.
Steven Udvar-Házy is retiring from his executive role at Aircraft Lease Corporation after 60 very fruitful years. I had the chance to interview him in Nov. 2024.
A close and thorough look at Iberia’s large MRO operation in Madrid.
I have a new flight report, this time is a re-up of my SunExpress flight review, with the experience on the new B737 MAX 8 aircraft and on an extra spacious seat!
And Edelweiss received its first A350 with its signature colourful livery, of course.
TAP Air Portugal has turned 80. Check out my story about the “vintage flight” they arranged some years ago, and also this recent review of TAP’s business class.