eVTOL Media

Decades of struggling with the challenge of transporting passengers from city centres to airports have given rise to various transportation methods dominating the travel sector. Enhancing airport accessibility could potentially elevate aeroplanes to a more competitive position for such routes. In the 1960s and 70s, helicopter airlines emerged in major U.S. cities, promising significantly reduced travel times between airports and city centres. Companies like New York Airways, Chicago Helicopter Airways, and Los Angeles Airlines offered premium-priced tickets for efficient helicopter connections, attracting business travellers. However, all these carriers folded before the end of the 1970s. Now, history seems to be repeating itself, with eVTOL (electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing) companies like Archer Aviation and Eve Air Mobility aiming to revive the helicopter airline model by offering short-range electric rotorcraft. With interest from United Airlines to operate flights connecting airports to city centres, these aircraft may soon take to the skies. The critical question remains: What sets the 2020s apart from the failed attempts of the 1960s and 70s? The answer lies in economics. Conventional helicopter airlines still survive in extremely limited markets, primarily operating on a charter basis. Blade, for example, offers charter helicopter services between New York's major airports and downtown Manhattan. While not entirely comparable to scheduled passenger carriers, Blade's operational economics provide insights into conventional helicopters' cost structures. Blade's service between Manhattan and JFK or Newark costs around $200, targeting a market that values an extra hour of free time at that amount. With the potential for multiple flights per hour, Blade generates revenue close to $1000 per flight hour, enabling profitability. However, the market for such services is limited to routes with high premium demand, such as Manhattan to the Hamptons. The key advantage of eVTOL aircraft, like Archer Aviation's Midnight, lies in significantly lower operating costs due to reduced fuel expenses. Archer aims for "Uber-like prices," potentially making eVTOL flights more accessible. By cutting fares in half, airlines like United could compete closely with the cost of an Uber from downtown Manhattan to Newark. If airlines can integrate eVTOL services to transport passengers airside (post-security), further enhancing efficiency, the market dynamics would shift in their favour. This integration would require screening facilities at city centre heliports. In conclusion, eVTOL aircraft, by reducing operating costs, have the potential to capture a market share beyond the reach of 1970s helicopter airlines and even today's charter services like BLADE.

The wing for the first Lilium Jet being produced at their production facility has been successfully matched to the fuselage. Lilium continues at pace with the final assembly of aircraft to be used for their flight test campaign. Congratulations to the team and we eagerly await the final assembly and results of the flight test campaign.

Lilium, a German air taxi firm, has received regulatory approval to design and operate its electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, the company said on Monday. Lilium was awarded “Design Organization Approval” by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, a special condition license that grants the company the ability to design and manufacture its aircraft in lieu of formal rules for the industry having been agreed and implemented. Alastair McIntosh, Lilium’s chief technology officer and head of design organisation, said the approval is effectively a “license to operate” for the firm. “Receiving Design Organization Approval from EASA further motivates us on our path to commercialize the revolutionary Lilium Jet,” McIntosh said in a statement Monday. Luc Tytgat, acting executive director of the EU agency, said it was “setting the right rules for operations and taking care of the environmental elements including noise, while of course ensuring that high safety standards are met.” “At the same time, we are wary of creating barriers to entering this new market and we have worked in partnership with Lilium, against a demanding timeline. I would like to congratulate Lilium on achieving this Design Organization Approval, which advances Europe’s electric aviation activity,” he added. It’s a key milestone for the industry, which has been working for several years to get such vehicles ready for commercialisation. Flying cars have long been the stuff of fiction. From “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” to “The Jetsons” and “Blade Runner,” popular culture has been filled with the idea of cars taking to the skies for decades. Technologists and venture capitalists have over recent years pumped billions of dollars into ventures aiming to produce flying taxis — as yet with little tangible success. In Lilium’s case, its vehicles are skewed more toward domestic intercity travel rather than flights across countries. The Lilium Jet uses multiple small propellers driven by electric motors to provide lift during takeoff and landing, as well as thrust during the cruise phase. Once ready for commercial flights, the Lilium Jet will be able to travel 300 kilometres in an hour after a single charge — the equivalent of a journey from London to Manchester in England, U.K.

Vertiport developer UrbanV will work with Lilium to establish ground infrastructure for eVTOL aircraft operations in Italy and the south of France. The companies announced their partnership last Wednesday, saying the collaboration could potentially expand to other markets for the six-passenger Lilium aircraft. According to Italy-based UrbanV, the company already has access to airports in Rome, Venice, Bologna, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, and other locations along the French Riviera. The new eVTOL aircraft will operate from sites around the same size as current helipads but equipped to recharge the electric vehicles. “At UrbanV, we aim to improve people’s lives by enabling a fast, efficient, safe, and clean alternative to existing transport solutions,” said company chairman Ivan Bassato. “With our vertiport networks, we are building a technology-agnostic platform for operators to provide new and innovative zero-emission transport services.” With a range of 155 miles, Lilium sees its aircraft supporting new regional air services, rather than the shorter intra-urban trips intended for many eVTOL aircraft.

eVolare, a sister company to Volare Aviation Limited, an innovative company dedicated to propelling the future of air travel, has announced its partnership with Lilium. This momentous collaboration signifies a historical milestone and underscores eVolare's commitment to advancing the aviation industry for generations. As seasoned aviation specialists, the team at eVolare recognises the imperative to invest in groundbreaking technologies that will revolutionise the industry. With an unwavering passion for progress, Volare is steadfast in its mission to improve air travel for the next generation and beyond. As the exclusive distributor of the first eVTOL jet in the United Kingdom, eVolare presents an exceptionally rare opportunity for new and existing customers. This extraordinary collaboration allows individuals to become pioneers and proud owners of a highly progressive, market-leading asset set to redefine aviation's future. The collaboration between eVolare and Lilium holds immense promise for the aviation industry, ushering in a new era of air mobility that empowers individuals and businesses alike. With combined expertise, resources, and a shared dedication to progress, this partnership will shape the future of transportation, fostering a world where freedom, connectivity, and exploration know no bounds. Nick Isbister, Dustin Dryden, Eva-Maria Beck

Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of Embraer, is progressing with the development of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Co-CEO Andre S. announced that the company is now selecting "main equipment" suppliers and plans to assemble the first full-scale prototype in the second half of this year. Recent ground tests of propulsion systems and wind tunnel testing have also contributed to the advancement of the program. Eve aims to graduate from Embraer-X, the innovation hub of its parent company and has submitted the basis for type certification to the Brazilian aviation safety regulator ANAC. The company intends to begin flight testing in 2024 and achieve certification and entry into service by 2026. Eve is actively promoting its eVTOL concept, showcasing a cabin mockup at various events. As a publicly-traded company, Eve will make its first appearance at the Paris Airshow in June 2023. The majority stockholder, Embraer, is closely involved in the development process, providing support from its 3,500-strong engineering team. Eve has signed letters of intent with 26 prospective operators, including airlines, technology companies, and lessors, reflecting market interest. The recent ground testing involved assessing the aerodynamic performance, sound properties, and efficiency of propellers. Eve also conducted tests of vertical-lift rotors using a mobile testbed to evaluate rotor performance during flight transitions. These tests, coupled with computational fluid dynamics calculations, will refine the flight simulator and flight controls. Eve has chosen a lift-and-cruise design for its eVTOL, using eight vertical-oriented propulsion units for vertical takeoff and landing, along with two rear-mounted units for forward flight. This design eliminates the need for complex tilting mechanisms, reducing weight and complexity. Initially, the eVTOL will have a range of 60 miles (100 km), accommodating a pilot and four passengers. If autonomous flight becomes possible through regulatory changes, the aircraft will be able to carry six passengers. With a significantly reduced noise footprint and operating costs compared to helicopters, the Eve eVTOL aims to be suitable for various applications, including cross-town transportation, airport shuttles, sightseeing flights, and reaching areas with inadequate road infrastructure. The company is not actively targeting the defence market. With its association with Embraer, Eve believes it has a significant advantage over competitors in the eVTOL market. The company's access to resources, expertise, and understanding of the certification process provides a strong foundation. Eve plans to ramp up production using existing technology rather than waiting for breakthroughs in battery or composite materials.