In the next month, the FAA is expected to release the much-anticipated Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for "Integration of Powered Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations," according to Christopher Coes, acting undersecretary of transportation for policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The proposed rules are intended to form a foundation for the introduction of eVTOL aircraft in the U.S. in 2025 but have drawn substantial concerns surrounding what was viewed as a misalignment with international standards and requirements for airman qualification.

In a building called the Glass House next to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, Textron’s eAviation division is forging ahead with construction of the first Nexus eVTOL aircraft. The 35-foot-long backbone of the wing—one of the largest composite parts the company has ever made—is being assembled on a jig, and the fuselage unveiled earlier this year is taking further shape.

Beta Technologies inaugurated three new electric aircraft chargers at airports across Florida last week. The universal charging stations, which can power various types of electric aircraft and ground vehicles, are now online at Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH) in the Florida Panhandle, Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV) in north central Florida, and Bob Sikes Airport (KCEW) in Crestview near Eglin Air Force Base.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Florida-based VerdeGo Aero a $1.9 million contract to build and test the first production-ready prototype of its VH-3 hybrid-electric powerplant. Designed for eVTOL air taxis and other small electrified aircraft, the VH-3 piston generator offers 185 kilowatts of continuous electrical power output and a 40% reduction in fuel burn compared with turbine engines.

Fiji Airways is planning to operate Odys Aviation’s Laila hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for cargo operations that could start in 2025. On September 19, the companies signed an expression of interest agreement that Odys said would lead to a joint test program involving emergency medical support flights to connect hard-to-access locations across 300 South Pacific islands.

Denmark’s Nordic Seaplanes is planning to operate Elfly Group’s in-development Noemi all-electric amphibious aircraft. On September 24, the scheduled and charter carrier signed a memorandum of understanding to buy five of the new aircraft in an agreement that Norway-based Elfly said includes options for 10 more and is worth around $150 million.

Pyka raised $40 million in its Series B fundraising efforts to support the production of its all-electric Pelican autonomous crop sprayer and a cargo-carrying variant, the California-based company announced on September 23. Some of the funding will also go toward the development of new contested logistics capabilities for potential defense customers.

Chinese eVTOL developer EHang released a new video on September 24 showing the company's autonomous, two-seat EH216-S aircraft performing its debut flight in Brazil. EHang conducted the flight trial in Quadra, São Paulo, under an experimental flight authorization certificate it recently obtained from the National Civil Aviation Authority of Brazil (ANAC). The aircraft has now flown in 17 countries across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America.