Abu Dhabi’s government is backing both Archer and Joby in advancing plans to launch eVTOL air taxi services in the emirate under a pair of framework agreements signed last week during the DRIFTx mobility event held at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Eviation has completed the conceptual design review for its all-electric Alice commuter airplane following a redesign, the company said April 24. The announcement came nine months after Eviation reported it had outsourced the design work to Seattle-based engineering firm TLG Aerospace, and 19 months after the company conducted its first and only test flight so far. Eviation CEO Andre Stein declined to offer a projected timeline for flight testing and certification, but he told AIN that he expects the Alice to be in service by the end of the decade. 

German state politicians are frustrating the efforts of eVTOL start-ups Volocopter and Lilium to secure new sources of funding. Decisions confirmed this week by officials in Bavaria have prevented the approval of loan guarantees at both state and federal levels, leaving the companies seeking other options.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has accepted AutoFlight’s application for type certification of its Prosperity I eVTOL aircraft. The Shanghai-based manufacturer announced the landmark on April 30, just over a month after it completed Chinese type certification for its CarryAll autonomous freighter version of the aircraft.

Hydrogen-electric propulsion system developer ZeroAvia is offering to produce components for other companies working to decarbonize aviation. At the opening event for its new manufacturing facility at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, on April 24, the company said it is looking to market its expertise in making electric motors, silicon carbide inverters, low- and high-temperature proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for fuel cells, and compressors.

Wright Electric has started ground-testing the electric propulsion system it is developing for aircraft in the 100-seat class. The company announced on April 25 that engineers have begun development work with its Wright Electric Aircraft Engine Test Cell (WEAETC) at its headquarters in Albany, New York.

For all eVTOL aircraft manufacturers, demonstrating the ability to safely transition from vertical to horizontal cruise flight is a critical aspect of the development and certification process. Beta Technologies recently posted a video showing its flight test team putting the Alia aircraft through its paces. The electric aircraft will be offered for both vertical takeoff and landing and conventional takeoff and landing applications.