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Lyte Aviation's SkyBus hybrid eVTOL aircraft is expected to carry 40 passengers.

Lyte Aviation Launches High-capacity Hybrid eVTOL SkyBus

The European start-up has unveiled plans for a 40-passenger, tandem tilt-wing design that could also be offered as a freight-carrying variant called the SkyTruck.
Lyte Aviation came out of stealth mode this week to unveil a radical design for the large-cabin tandem tilt-wing SkyBus aircraft. Initially, it will be powered by a hybrid combination of four turboprop engines and a quartet of hydrogen fuel cell electric motors. The company plans to switch eventually to an all-hydrogen propulsion system for an aircraft promising a range of 625 miles.

Spain Backs Hydrogen Propulsion Plans of Hypersonic Aircraft Developer Destinus

The European start-up is building a facility in Madrid to design air-breathing hydrogen engines and develop liquid hydrogen technology.
Destinus this week received two grants from the Spanish government to support its efforts to develop hydrogen propulsion for planned long-range hypersonic and supersonic aircraft. Eventually, it wants to bring a 100-passenger airliner into commercial service than can fly at globe-shrinking speeds of Mach 5.
    Destinus is developing hydrogen-powered, air-breathing engines for aircraft.

    Archer and United Airlines Reveal First Air Taxi Route in Chicago

    The commercial air taxi route, scheduled to launch in 2025, will transport passengers on eVTOL aircraft between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago, the city’s only downtown heliport facility.
    Archer Aviation and United Airlines plan to launch an aerial ridesharing service in Chicago using Archer’s four-passenger Midnight eVTOL aircraft. The commercial air taxi route, scheduled to launch in 2025, will transport passengers between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago, the city’s only downtown heliport facility.
      A rendered image of several Archer Midnight eVTOL air taxis with United logos at a vertiport

      Avions Mauboussin Flies Subscale Model of Alérion M1h Light Aircraft

      The French start-up is working on plans for two- and six-seat models that could be powered by hybrid-electric or hydrogen propulsion systems.
      Avions Mauboussin has flown a small model of its Alérion M1h fixed-wing aircraft as it prepares to complete development of a hydrogen propulsion system for this and the larger Alcyon M3c model. The French company says the aircraft will access remote communities with short takeoff and landing capability.
        Avions Mauboussin flew a sub-scale model of its planned Alérion M1h aircraft.

        Honeywell Partnering with Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Hydrogen Studies

        Work on hydrogen storage and power generation centers on all forms of air travel.
        Studies conducted under a partnership between Honeywell Aerospace and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts aim to solve the challenges inherent in hydrogen power storage and generation for aircraft. A group of roughly 25 Honeywell team members now work with WPI experts and students under a multiyear contract to develop hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies.
          Honeywell and WPI researchers study hydrogen

          EHang Targets Domestic eVTOL Aircraft Deliveries as Chinese Type Certification Approaches

          Reporting financial results for 2022, the Chinese company said that the lifting of Covid restrictions has removed obstacles to getting its EH216 autonomous vehicle into commercial service.
          EHang says it has completed 90 percent of the tasks associated with type certification of its EH216 eVTOL aircraft by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and estimates that 70 percent of the remaining testing of its production-conforming aircraft is either completed or in progress.
            EHang's Yunfu factory in China is manufacturing its EH216 eVTOL aircraft.

            Lockheed Martin Backs Sea Glider Developer Regent with Strategic Investment

            The funding is the defense group's latest foray into advanced air mobility following its backing for start-ups including Electra, Elroy Air, H3X, and Hidden Level.
            Regent says that support from Lockheed Martin Ventures will further its plans to develop military applications for its electric-powered sea gliders. The U.S. start-up says it has begun developing a full-scale prototype for the 12-passenger Viceroy vehicle and intends to start piloted test flights in 2024 as it prepares to certify the sea glider under maritime rules in time for commercial services to start in 2025.
              Regent's Viceroy electric sea glider is expected to carry 12 passengers on coastal routes of up to 180 miles.

              ZeroAvia to Partner with Nordic Energy Company Fortum on Hydrogen Hubs at Airports

              On-airport hydrogen infrastructure can support not only aircraft refueling, but complementary traffic from heavy-duty transportation, materials handling equipment, and other energy consuming systems.
              An MOU between ZeroAvia and Fortum will see the companies explore the development of hydrogen production and refueling infrastructure in Scandinavia.
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