AINonline
• Hanneke Weitering
Archer plans to develop a vertiport in downtown Los Angeles by the third quarter of 2028, while Wisk Aero has begun construction of a facility at California’s Hollister Municipal Airport. Wisk’s vertiport will support piloted and autonomous VTOL flight testing and help advance infrastructure standards.
eVTOL
Latest source-backed stories
Heart is continuing to analyze data from the X-1’s maiden flight before deciding whether to conduct additional sorties. The developer is already shifting attention toward its next aircraft, which it expects to fly in 2028, marking the next step in its aircraft development program.
High activity
Archer plans to develop a vertiport in downtown Los Angeles by the third quarter of 2028, while Wisk Aero has begun construction of a facility at California’s Hollister Municipal Airport. Wisk’s vertiport will support piloted and autonomous VTOL flight testing and help advance infrastructure standards.
Electra has signed an MOU with the City of Helsinki and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences to assess how its hybrid-electric Direct Aviation concept could support faster, quieter and more efficient regional connectivity across the Gulf of Finland, alongside infrastructure intended to have U.S. applicability.
High activity
Zuri has unveiled a hybrid-electric uncrewed tiltrotor designed for civil and defense logistics, carrying more than 100 kg over 569 km with a 30-minute reserve, or 679 km by design. The aircraft cruises at 220 km/h and can operate from pads, ship decks or open ground, following a €6 million Series A tranche.
New aircraft ventures are pursuing regional and specialized markets with electric, hybrid-electric, hydrogen-electric and amphibious designs. MD Aircraft secured pre-orders for 10 eViator aircraft, Electra is preparing a 1,200-mile hybrid-electric model, and SkyHop plans to acquire 15 NOEMI amphibious aircraft, while Stralis has ceased operations.
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and Safran Helicopter Engines have signed an agreement through their SAFHAL joint venture to develop and produce the high-power Aravalli turboshaft engine. The engine is intended for HAL’s Indian Multi-Role Helicopter and naval Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter programs, deepening India-France defense cooperation.
Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University has completed flight testing of the country’s homegrown electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft program. Trials were conducted in Germany in July, marking the conclusion of three years of research and development on the eVTOL aircraft.
SkyDrive, Air India and Suzuki Motor Corporation will evaluate potential Indian routes for eVTOL-based medical logistics, initially targeting urgent pharmaceutical shipments, organ transport and other medical deliveries. The assessment marks a potential aviation use case for advanced air mobility beyond passenger air-taxi operations.
Create a free account to see more recent eVTOL stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
Hype's eVTOL section is the definitive source for aggregated news on the burgeoning electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft industry. Our coverage spans the latest prototypes, regulatory milestones, and market trends driving the future of urban air mobility and sustainable aviation solutions.
