eVTOL News

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BETA Technologies begins North Carolina flight tests of all-electric ALIA CTOL aircraft

BETA Technologies has begun flight testing its all-electric ALIA conventional takeoff and landing aircraft in North Carolina. The campaign will assess the aircraft’s potential for medical transport and regional air services, adding operational data to the company’s development and commercialization effort.

AINonline

Vertical Aerospace expands UK facility ahead of Valo eVTOL production-site decision

Vertical Aerospace is expanding its manufacturing facility at Cotswold Airport in the UK for its Valo electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. The site expansion comes ahead of the company’s selection of a final location for Valo’s planned mass production.

aerospaceglobalnews.com

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Vertical Aerospace opens Cotswold Airport assembly center for Valo eVTOL

Vertical Aerospace has opened a new assembly center at Cotswold Airport in the U.K. to build certification aircraft and initial production units of its Valo electric air taxi. The facility, located alongside the company’s flight-test base, marks a step from prototype development toward aircraft manufacturing, with a stated sights on producing up to 1,000 aircraft annually.

FlightGlobal

Vertical opens Kemble assembly site for Valo, with capacity for 37 aircraft annually

Vertical has opened its Kemble production facility, which is designed to build up to 37 Valo aircraft annually. The site is intended to support certification and initial customer deliveries, while the company has yet to decide whether to proceed with additional full-scale factories.

AeroTime

Vertical Aerospace launches financing review to fund its next growth phase

Vertical Aerospace is reviewing financing options after what it called the most significant year in its history, seeking capital to support the company’s next phase of growth. The move underscores the funding requirements facing eVTOL developers as they advance toward commercialization.

Reuters

Vertical Aerospace hires Jefferies to explore strategic and financial partnerships

British eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace has retained Jefferies to review strategic alternatives, including potential strategic and financial partnerships, as it seeks support to advance the next phase of development of its electric aircraft.

Flying Magazine

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Heart Aerospace redesigns ES-30 as ES-36, securing JSX commitment for up to 100 aircraft

Heart Aerospace has unveiled the ES-36, its fourth design iteration, replacing the earlier independent hybrid-electric architecture with a simplified twin-electric-motor configuration and increased payload. JSX has committed to 50 firm aircraft with deposits and 50 options, while Heart targets commercial service entry in 2031.

FlightGlobal

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Electra Demonstrates Helicopter-Style Regional Operations With Fixed-Wing EL2

Electra used taxiways, heliports and a drag strip across Virginia to demonstrate short-haul, point-to-point operations for its EL2 fixed-wing aircraft. The tests at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport were intended to assess potential future airport procedures, while raising questions about passenger comfort aboard the planned nine-seat EL9.