- Osinto HQ
MARKET UPDATE - 17/11/2021 - ⚡️ ELECTRIC ✈️ AVIATION
eVTOL / ADVANCED / URBAN AIR MOBILITY (UAM / AAM)
Skyports announced a partnership with to develop and deploy vertiports for passenger air taxi operations in the Los Angeles area with LAZ Parking, "...one of the largest parking companies in the United States." (via Skyports):
Volocopter conducted a crewed test flight of their 2X vehicle at Gimpo Airport, Seoul, reported to be the first of its kind with an eVTOL air taxi in South Korea. A second is planned from Incheon International Airport on 16/11, weather permitting (via Volocopter):
Joby Aviation published their first results as a public company, posting a net loss of $78.9m USD with $1.4 billion cash in reserve. The company notedthe persistence of "more permanent work-from-home behaviors" as an additional risk factor to future growth, and reiterated their intention to "manufacture, own and operate" their aircraft rather than selling to third parties. It was also noted that the company had begun battery drop, cabin bird strike and tail spar load testing of their production aircraft (via Joby Aviation, Market Screener).
The US Air Force's Air Education & Training Command will work with the Agility Prime programme to define pilot training and certification standards for eVTOL aircraft. 'Detachment 62' are tasked with developing a curriculum and drive operator certification standards to train "multi-capable Airmen-operators of advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles" by 2023 (via AETC).
Widerøe's just-launched 'Widerøe Zero' subsidiary (see last week's update) announced a partnership with Embraer's Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions, with focus on deployment of eVTOL operations in Scandinavia. Deliverables includes a market readiness exercise and vehicle concept of operations (CONOPS) for the Nordic region (via Widerøe).
Airbus anticipate their CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL gaining EASA certification in 2025, according to comments attributed to Balkiz Sarihan (Head of UAM Strategy Execution & Partnerships) at the Dubai Airshow. Early market opportunities are anticipated to be "in emergency services, tourism, and shuttle services" (via AIN).
Archer Aviation also posted their first set of results as a public company - reporting a $177m USD loss for Q3, with $796m on hand. They also announced receipt of their Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA, and relocation of their ‘Maker’ test aircraft to a flight test facility in California (via Archer):
Canada's CAE were reportedly debuting a desktop VTOL simulator in Dubai (via Trade Arabia).
Urban Aeronautics added US / Israeli Universal Avionics (an Elbit Systems subsidiary) as a supplier and partner for the company's CityHawk eVTOL. Combining their "Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) solution together with the Aperture™ Advanced Video Management Device on the CityHawk air taxi and EMS vehicles...will enhance aircraft safety through sensor fusion and augmented reality." (via PR Newswire):
Wisk publicly displayed their Cora eVTOL in the US for the first time, as part fo the CoMotion LA event (via BusinessWire, Wisk).
It was reported that Cathie Wood's ARK Invest have amassed an ownership stake of more than 10% in Blade Urban Air Mobility, according to recent SEC filings (via New York Post, Stock PR).
London-based AYR Logistics signed a deal with US hybrid-electric eVTOL drone manufacturer Elroy Air that will see the companies work together to operate "an autonomous aerial cargo delivery service". AYR has committed to purchasing "up to 100 of Elroy Air’s Chaparral aircraft to augment and expand its humanitarian logistics business." (via Elroy Air).
SMALL PROPELLER, COMMUTER (19-SEAT OR LESS)
MagniX signed a deal with Brazilian on-demand aviation platform Flapper for supply of 20 x Magni650 Electric Propulsion Units (EPUs) for use in converting the company's Cessna Caravan fleet. The aircraft are currently used for scheduled passenger services in São Paulo state, and regional cargo operations. The companies will collaborate on meeting local certification requirements (via PR Newswire):
Virginian hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft developers Electra Aero announced the addition of Paul G. Kaminski to the company's board - a US Air Force veteran best known for his role in developing US stealth aircraft and for a variety of roles at the US Department of Defence, at times in control of budgets exceeding $100 billion USD (via PR Newswire).
Californian eSTOL specialists Airflow (several of whom worked on the Airbus Vahana project) announced a partnership with Pipistrel who will supply motors, motor controllers and batteries for a proof-of-concept aircraft. The organisations will also explore further collaboration on production versions of Airflow's planned 4-seat Model100 and 9-seat Model200 aircraft, with claimed ranges of 250 and 500 miles respectively (via Airflow, Electrive, Skies Mag).
REGIONAL AIRCRAFT / MW+
Dublin-based regional aircraft lessor ACIA Aero Leasing signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with California's Universal Hydrogen which it expects to follow-up with 10 firm orders for ATR72 hydrogen conversion kits, with options on 20 more for "various turboprop types" (via BusinessWire).
Pratt & Whitney have appointed Graham Webb as their Chief Sustainability Officer. The 15-year company veteran was previously heading up the geared turbofan business (via Pratt & Whitney).
Following news (reported in our update last week) that GE is to become an 'aviation pureplay', GE Aviation Chief Exec. John Slattery indicated that the company are ready to look at acquisitions, noting that such opps. "probably run deeper and wider" in electric power systems vs jet engines (via Reuters).
EasyJet joined the UN-backed 'Race to Zero' campaign, committing to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is expected to present a net-zero roadmap "in the coming months" (via WebWire).
Tecnam launched the 'P-Volt Transition Program' - a fast-track to electrification for existing owners of their P2012 Traveller aircraft (via PRWeb).