Unither Bioelectronics is teaming up with Robinson Helicopter to develop hydrogen-powered variants of the company’s R44 and R66 helicopters. A subsidiary of United Therapeutics, which has been developing battery-electric versions of Robinson helicopters since 2016, Unither Bioelectronics aims to usher in the next generation of airborne organ delivery systems with zero-emissions and autonomous flight technologies.

As Beta Technologies prepares to begin delivering electric aircraft to its first commercial customers, it is putting the finishing touches on its initial pilot training program for Part 135 operators. The Vermont-based company reported this week that it completed a comprehensive review of its Alia pilot training program with a customer for the first time. 

For decades, the team at TE Connectivity (TE) has been helping design safe and efficient electrical power management systems for everything from military planes to moon landers. Now TE is supporting a new frontier: the emerging Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) industry.

UK start-up Sora Aviation is preparing to launch a Series A funding round to support its work on a planned 30-seat eVTOL aircraft primarily intended for airport shuttle services. The company is convinced that a battery-electric propulsion system integrated with six tilting rotors installed across a tandem wing configuration will be able to deliver higher payload for trips of up to around 25 miles.

The U.S. Air Force has accepted its first delivery of a Midnight aircraft from Archer Aviation and executed several simulated military missions with the eVTOL air taxi at Archer's flight testing facility in Salinas, California. Announcing the delivery on August 15, Archer said it collaborated with Air Force personnel on simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights using the all-electric, five-seat Midnight aircraft.

The U.S. District Court in Seattle on Wednesday overturned the verdict of a May 2024 jury trial that ordered Boeing to pay damages in excess of $70 million to electric aircraft start-up Zunum. Judge James Robart ruled in favor of all of Boeing’s claims against the earlier verdict over alleged breaches of trade secrets and interference with Zunum’s plans to partner with engine manufacturer Safran to develop the 12-seat ZA10 hybrid-electric regional airliner.

Anra Technologies has completed a demonstration using multiple drones to inspect the White Plains facility of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). The uncrewed traffic management specialist reported this week that during an event on August 1, it used its Mission Manager software to control a fleet of drones that feed live video showing the condition of power cables and other equipment.