Flying Car News Update for December 13th, 2023
EASA announces new standards, Lilium making moves again, Airspeeder, Eve and more
Hey fine feathered folks!
Today we’ll be digging into the latest news around eVTOLs and Flying Cars, as it stands in the year 2023, December 13th. There has been a lot of random little things going on as we literally inch closer to flying things in our skies of known origin.
Lilium and COHC: A High-Flying Alliance to Electrify China's Skies
Lilium, the trailblazing German air mobility company, is joining forces with CITIC Offshore Helicopter, China’s helicopter port pilotage heavyweight, to usher in a new era of electric flying in China.
The game plan is pretty straightforward yet ambitious. Lilium and COHC are pooling their resources to tailor services based on what the people want and need. They are starting things off in the Greater Bay Area and they've got their sights set on expanding this project across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, not to mention the tropical paradise of Hainan Island and the bustling port city of Tianjin.
This partnership is a fusion of COHC's seasoned expertise in aviation with Lilium's cutting-edge eVTOL tech. Imagine a future where sleek, electric flying machines are zipping through the Chinese skies, making regional travel faster, greener, and cooler than ever before. This alliance is set to revolutionize how people move around in the People's Republic of China.
Airspeeder Teams Up with SportDome: A High-Octane eVTOL Racing Partnership
Now in Pod Racing news, Airspeeder, the frontrunner in eVTOL racing series, has just announced a dynamic partnership with SportDome. This collaboration marks SportDome as the Official Sports Advisory Partner for the high adrenaline world of Airspeeder racing.
Electric Sky Commutes Coming to Miami by 2026
Florida just gets more and more eVTOL and flying car friendly. Here’s an update for Miami: UrbanX Air and Eve Air Mobility are gearing up to introduce electric commuter flights across South Florida by 2026, pending FAA and DOT approval. This bold step by UrbanX, a subsidiary of Global Crossing Airlines, in collaboration with eVTOL leader Eve, is set to change the way you can travel in the sunshine state.
Imagine avoiding Miami traffic, thanks to UrbanX and Eve's plan to for eVTOLs. This initiative promises not just quicker commutes but a greener, more efficient way to travel. With a deal already in place for 200 eVTOLs from Eve, UrbanX is on track to make this plan a reality for Miami.
Lucy Morillo, President & CEO of UrbanX, is excited about this futuristic shift. "Urban Air Mobility has the capacity to transform the way people move throughout the Miami metropolitan area, and we are proud to lead the way to bring this technology to the region and ensure it benefits our entire community."
EASA announces news standards and limits for air taxi noise.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says it has confirmed its leading role in setting noise standards for Urban Air Mobility services with two further publications setting limits on noise emitted by different designs of air taxis.
They are usually first when it comes to environmental concerns, and these new standards are going to improve the quality of life for folks in Europe as more and more craft are abundant in the skies.
“EASA conducted a large-scale study in 2021, in which noise was clearly highlighted as one of the top societal concerns for this new mode of urban transport in the European Union,” said EASA Acting Executive Director Luc Tytgat. “The Agency takes these concerns seriously. The standards we are setting reflect the public’s desire for minimising noise disturbance from Urban Air Mobility.”
According to the agency’s website:
“Air taxi noise must respect defined standards and limits to ensure that disturbance to the public is minimised, and to foster citizens’ acceptance of air taxi operations in or near populated areas.
“EASA has published two sets of Environmental Protection Technical Specifications (EPTS) for aircraft capable of Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL), the technical description of the aircraft that will provide air taxi services and other similar services. The aim is to reach a high, uniform level of environmental protection and to prevent significant harmful effects of noise on human health in the European Union, as mandated by the EASA Basic Regulation.”
“The maximum allowable noise levels in ATOO phases are identical in both EPTS to ensure a level playing field among VCA designs.
“The document is open to public consultation until February 13, 2024.”