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The Air Current • Will Guisbond

Updated battery analysis brings Lilium’s 30-ducted all‑electric eVTOL into technical reach, but execution risks persist

An updated battery analysis by two academic researchers narrows the energy‑density and mass requirements for Lilium’s all‑electric Lilium Jet, moving the 30‑ducted eVTOL design into technical plausibility. Significant execution risks remain around battery sourcing, integration and certification.

2026-03-13T11:32:21.907251-07:00

FlightGlobal

Vaeridion opens battery production plant at former Lilium site in Oberpfaffenhofen

2026-03-13T02:38:13.587096-07:00

Vertical Mag

VertiCon 2026: 26 helicopter orders, 12,852 attendees and drone/AI demonstrations in Atlanta

2026-03-12T12:38:54.760020-07:00

Business Wire

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft

2026-03-12T04:21:45.340039-07:00

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

October 1, 2024 - A summary of major events, strategic partnerships and technological advancements in the eVTOL market. Read More.

News Timeline

The Air Current

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Updated battery analysis brings Lilium’s 30-ducted all‑electric eVTOL into technical reach, but execution risks persist An updated battery analysis by two academic researchers narrows the energy‑density and mass requirements for Lilium’s all‑electric Lilium Jet, moving the 30‑ducted eVTOL design into technical plausibility. Significant execution risks remain around battery sourcing, integration and certification.

2026-03-13T11:32:21.907251-07:00

Updated battery analysis brings Lilium’s 30-ducted all‑electric eVTOL into technical reach, but execution risks persist

FlightGlobal

Vaeridion opens battery production plant at former Lilium site in Oberpfaffenhofen German electric aviation start-up Vaeridion has officially inaugurated a new battery production plant at Oberpfaffenhofen airport in Germany. The facility was repurposed from the site previously owned by defunct aircraft developer Lilium. The plant will manufacture batteries for its electric aircraft.

2026-03-13T02:38:13.587096-07:00

Vaeridion opens battery production plant at former Lilium site in Oberpfaffenhofen

Vertical Mag

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VertiCon 2026: 26 helicopter orders, 12,852 attendees and drone/AI demonstrations in Atlanta VertiCon 2026 in Atlanta drew 12,852 attendees and produced 26 helicopter orders for Airbus, Bell and Leonardo, while exhibitors showcased operational tech — a dedicated indoor drone cage, FlySight's OPENSIGHT mission console with interoperability and AI, and ASU awarding OWL early-adopter recognition.

2026-03-12T12:38:54.760020-07:00

VertiCon 2026: 26 helicopter orders, 12,852 attendees and drone/AI demonstrations in Atlanta

FlightGlobal

Safran begins assembly of TG600 turbogenerator for Electra EL9 ahead of first‑flight push Safran Helicopter Engines has started assembly of the TG600 turbogenerator for Electra’s EL9 nine‑seat hybrid‑electric ultra‑STOL aircraft. The move marks a key propulsion‑integration milestone as Electra and Safran advance hardware integration toward a planned first flight in the coming years.

2026-03-12T08:41:15.460338-07:00

Safran begins assembly of TG600 turbogenerator for Electra EL9 ahead of first‑flight push

Business Wire

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft Surf Air Mobility and BETA Technologies have partnered to launch the first commercial all‑electric passenger service using BETA's ALIA aircraft. Surf Air signed a purchase agreement for up to 100 ALIA airframes (25 firm, 75 options) to support planned fleet and route expansion.

2026-03-12T04:21:45.340039-07:00

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft

Leeham News

Electric‑hybrid aircraft: current status, architectures and maturity gaps A Leeham News deep‑dive assesses the current status of electric‑hybrid aircraft projects, focusing on how parallel‑hybrid architectures work and perform across demonstrators and development programmes. The report maps technical maturity, performance trade‑offs and remaining gaps that will shape certification and commercial viability.

2026-03-12T01:33:59.333530-07:00

Electric‑hybrid aircraft: current status, architectures and maturity gaps

eVTOL Insights

REGENT launches 2026 sea‑trial campaign for Viceroy Seaglider, continues Squire drone testing REGENT has launched its 2026 test campaign, commencing sea trials of the Viceroy Seaglider prototype while continuing evaluations of the autonomous Squire Seaglider drone. The trials aim to validate maritime performance and mature systems as the company pursues both commercial and defense applications.

2026-03-12T01:04:50.732710-07:00

REGENT launches 2026 sea‑trial campaign for Viceroy Seaglider, continues Squire drone testing

eVTOL Insights

Kevin Cox on using data to map vertiport locations In this episode host Jason Pritchard speaks with Kevin Cox, CEO of VertiPorts by Atlantic, about the role of data in siting vertiports and shaping future urban air mobility infrastructure. They discuss how analytics-driven location mapping informs regulatory, land-use and operational planning for eVTOL networks.

2026-03-12T01:04:50.266249-07:00

Kevin Cox on using data to map vertiport locations

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eVTOL News

Updated battery analysis brings Lilium’s 30-ducted all‑electric eVTOL into technical reach, but execution risks persist

Vaeridion opens battery production plant at former Lilium site in Oberpfaffenhofen

VertiCon 2026: 26 helicopter orders, 12,852 attendees and drone/AI demonstrations in Atlanta

Surf Air and BETA to launch first commercial all‑electric ALIA passenger service; Surf Air signs for up to 100 aircraft

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

News Timeline