News update for November 15th, 2023
eVTOL flights in NYC, Archer goes big (maybe) in India, Dubai Air Show, and more!
Big NYC demos for Joby and Volocopter
Last weekend, two of the biggest names in the eVTOL space, Joby and Volocopter, had demo flights out of NYC’s Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
Seems like New York is warming up to the idea that the future of aviation in its airspace might be quiet(er) and small(er).
Joby’s was the first eVTOL officially to fly in NYC. Volocopter following shortly on Monday with their 2x model prototype.
CEO JoeBen Bevirt: “We plan to make quiet, emissions-free flight an affordable, everyday reality for New Yorkers, while significantly reducing the impact of helicopter noise.”
Archer’s eVTOL taxi service in India
eVTOL air taxi services might be coming to India sooner than you think. Last Thursday, InterGlobe Enterprises, parent company to the country's largest airline IndiGo, signed an agreement that could lead to a ginormous purchase of up to 200 of Archer Aviation's Midnight craft.
An agreement with InterGlobe sets the stage for potential commercial eVTOL flights in Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Archer is targeting FAA type certification by the end of 2025 and plans to initiate operations in the U.S., collaborating with entities like United Airlines (and we can’t wait to see it happen). There's a possibility of an air taxi network emerging in India and the UAE as early as 2026.
Archer's Midnight is a four-seat, pilot-operated eVTOL capable of covering up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) on a single charge. The company anticipates its primary use in consecutive short flights, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes each.
Just for fun, let’s look at Archer’s stock price lately:
Dubai Airshow reveals new Spanish Aircraft
This year at the Dubai Airshow, Crisalion Mobility unveiled its new electric aircraft, Integrity. Established in 2019, Crisalion, formerly known as UMILES Next, has secured €15m in funding. Its mission is to enhance life quality and environmental protection through innovative air and ground mobility solutions.
In late October, the company underwent a rebranding process. Crisalion's Integrity is designed for various uses including urban air mobility (UAM), emergency medical services (EMS), cargo transport, and tourism. It features seating for a pilot and up to five passengers, a 100km range, and a maximum speed of 216kph.
One cool feature of the Integrity is its 'FlyFree' technology. This is a stability system that Crisalion claims improves efficiency, stability, reliability, and manoeuvrability. This is achieved through advanced rotor-control software, enhancing control over each propulsion unit (sounds like autopilot)
Links: https://www.dubaiairshow.aero/ and https://crisalion.com/es/