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AFWERX Shifts UAM Initiative Into High Gear
AFWERX, the U.S. Air Force unit that fosters innovation and connections between private industry, academia, and the military, is recommending more than 250 proposals it received in response to its X20D Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Open Topic solicitation regarding its “flying car” subject. The group is on track to be “the largest single cohort…
EASA Sets Ground Rules for EU-wide Drone Registration Data Sharing
The European Union’s (EU) 27 member nations now have a framework (EU) 2019/947) that will allow drone operators to register their aircraft with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This new framework allows owners to fly drones across the EU with a single registration. Beginning December 31, 2020, drone operators will need to register…
eVTOL News on the Fly
Short Hops Around the eVTOL Industry
Flying Pods? Da. Hydrogen-fueled flying pods. Da. While eVTOL developers are working on electric flying cars (Duh!) or hybrid-powered VTOLs, one Russian futurist imagines a VTOL fueled exclusively by hydrogen. He’s designed one in the shape of a hydrogen cell. Muscovite Nikita Konopatov, a “2-D artist and designer,” unveiled his concept, called Future Center Europe, a…
Swarm Intelligence of eVTOL Drones
It’s said, “There’s strength in numbers.” But can there be acumen and judgment too? Even if those numbers are comprised of individuals that, on their own, aren’t particularly intelligent? In a word: Yes. Using artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and nature (think bees, ants, or a flock of geese), scientists are teaching eVTOL drones to use…
Public Acceptance of Flying Cars
What's it going to take for UAM to take off?
Developers of flying cars (or eVTOLs, if you will) predict they will have vehicles ready for certification by 2023. Many of them are looking for governments to certify their aircraft by 2025. Some analysts predict nearly 500,000 air taxis around the globe will be ferrying passengers by 2040. After conquering the technological and regulatory challenges,…
For Sale: Used Flying Car
The first eVTOL has yet to be certified, we know that. But, the day is coming. As sure as there will be flying cars for sale around the globe, soon after, there will be used flying cars for sale. While the anticipated prices for most of these new aircraft is anywhere from about US$400,00 and…