Lilium Jet becomes first (super expensive) eVTOL for sale to anyone in the U.S.
Something big is happening in Texas with EMCJET - they're set to make some waves in the premium market by snagging production slots for the very first U.S. Lilium Pioneer Edition Jets.
This is a pretty big deal because it's the first time you can actually buy a Lilium Jet, or any flying car/eVTOL aircraft, for your personal use right here in the good ol' U.S. of A.
Right in the heart of Texas is where it begins. They'll be focusing on cities like Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas at first. If you're dreaming of soaring through the skies in a Lilium Jet and happen to be rich af, keep an eye out because your chance is coming real soon.
Jetson One gets free roam of Italy
Jetson ONE, the ultralight eVTOL we’ve talked about a bunch of times, is celebrating a big milestone. It's just received the green light to take to the skies all across Italy, and it's the first of its kind to be certified by the Italian space agencies and authorities.
On October 16th, Jetson proudly announced that they've secured two crucial flight permits from the Aero Club d’Italia (AeCI) and the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC). This means that the ultralight eVTOL has officially earned its certification in Italy, allowing licensed pilots to soar through Italy's uncontrolled airspace – a remarkable achievement that Jetson proudly claims as a world-first.
The Aero Club d’Italia (AeCI) has issued the very first registration certificate for a recreational ultralight eVTOL, permitting licensed pilots to take the Jetson ONE pre-production aircraft for a spin. This I-X078 registration was granted on October 5th, 2023. Following this, they also received an operational authorization from the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) to fly an unmanned Jetson ONE remotely. This authorization will accelerate testing and product validation.
As of now, Jetson reports that they've already sold over 300 units of their eVTOL, with each unit priced at $98,000. Amazing work indeed.
Hyundai enters the ring?
Hyundai, the massive auto maker from South Korea seems to be interested in flying cars. Not surprising, as others have been rumored to be working on their own divisions as well (Honda comes to mind). Hyundai Wia, the parts-making division of Hyundai has teamed up with Supernal, an independent urban air mobility company established by Hyundai's U.S. office. Their mission? To pioneer cutting-edge landing systems tailored for the world of flying taxis. Sounds pretty niche, but when these taxis are everywhere, it’s gonna be big business.
Urban air mobility (UAM) represents the foundational infrastructure for the future of commercial airborne passenger transport, encompassing vital components such as vertiports and control towers. WTF is a vertiport? Picture it like a heli pad on top of a building, but for flying cars. In this framework, aerial vehicles will navigate designated aerial corridors, ensuring both accident prevention and the safety of those on the ground. Vertiports, strategically located on secure sites like rooftops, will serve as pivotal points for these futuristic flights.
With an ambitious goal is to bring manned drone taxis into commercial operation by the year 2025, South Korea is an important destination for flying car tech. As the technology advances, remote-controlled vehicles are set to be adopted by 2030, with full autonomy on the horizon by 2035. This sounds crazy and freaky to me, but awesome at the same time. It’s like Blade Runner is actually coming to life, hopefully without the distopian part. So to ensure the utmost safety during this transitional period, a dedicated safety manager will accompany each flying vehicle until pilots are no longer required. Exciting and scary times lie ahead in the realm of urban air mobility…
