Flight automation start-up Reliable Robotics has scored a $17.4 million U.S. Air Force contract to launch an autonomous cargo logistics program with a fully automated Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, the company announced on August 26. The contract covers the purchase, integration, and testing of the Reliable Autonomy System on a 208B freighter variant known as the “Super Cargomaster.”

EASA has released a new proposal to establish noise certification requirements for aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability. Published on August 22 as Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) 2025-03, the draft regulation is open for public comment through November 21.

The FAA has awarded ZeroAvia a signed P-1 special conditions issue paper pertaining to the certification of its 600-kilowatt electric propulsion system, the company announced on August 19. Originally developed as a key element in ZeroAvia’s planned ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain retrofit for regional turboprops, the 600-kilowatt motor is one of several components that the company recently decided to start selling to other aerospace companies developing electric, hydrogen-powered, or hybrid aircraft. 

Indonesian helicopter operator Whitesky Aviation has placed a provisional order for up to 30 of SkyDrive’s SD-05 three-seat eVTOL aircraft. The Japanese manufacturer announced the deal as part of a partnership agreement on August 21.

The Stolport FBO at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has acquired an electric aircraft charger from Beta Technologies, marking the company’s first charger sale in Canada. On August 18, the Vermont-based electric aviation company conducted a flight demonstration at the airport with its Alia CX300 electric airplane in an event co-hosted by the Toronto Port Authority and Stolport, which announced its purchase of a Beta Minicube charging system.

XTI Aerospace has selected the Garmin G700 TXi flight display system for its TriFan 600 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the company announced on August 22. Garmin’s TXi avionics suite features large touchscreen primary flight displays and multifunction displays with synthetic vision technology for enhanced terrain and obstacle awareness.

Propulsion specialist H55 just wrapped up a cross-country tour of the U.S. with an all-electric Bristell B23 Energic two-seat trainer, the Swiss company announced on April 19. According to H55, the aircraft completed 192 passenger flights over the past four months, visiting 25 airports in eight states: Florida, Alabama, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, and New York. 

GE Aerospace is using robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence as well as rare access to supercomputers throughout its global footprint, services, and in research and development as it strives for engine maturity, reliability, and creating new engines. Shop visits, on-wing engine inspections, and repair technologies must be made more efficient, rapid, and cost-effective to serve the thousands of legacy CFM56s, GE90s, CF6s, and the growing number of CFM LEAP engines.