Bill Johnson’s Post

Your next e-flight could be taking off in Thailand ✈️🔋https://hubs.li/Q02Y0zr10 📍"Chinese flying taxi company EHang (NASDAQ: EH) conducted its first passenger flights in Thailand in advance of setting up commercial flight operations there." 📍"EHang received permission for the flights from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), and the electric aerial vehicle (EAV) maker plans to conduct flight tests in Thailand and launch commercial operations in the regions of Phuket and Koh Samui by 2025." Short-haul aviation (which produces about one-third of emissions from commercial aviation) will be disrupted by the combination of electric aircraft and overnight road trips in A-EVs. The disruption of transportation by autonomous electric vehicles is well underway. 🚀 Become an expert: https://hubs.li/Q02Y0DNW0

Xpeng AeroHT, an affiliate of Xpeng, plans to deliver its flying car by 2026, according to co-president Brian Gu. The Land Aircraft Carrier, a truck with a detachable two-seater flying drone, was introduced last year. Pre-orders start this year, with delivery expected in 2026. Designed for scenic outskirts rather than urban centers, the flying car aims to simplify approval processes by working with municipalities to create flying parks and zones. urrently undergoing certification with China's aviation regulator, the vehicle won’t require a special license for initial leisure use. #XpengAeroHT #FlyingCar #ElectricVehicle #InnovativeTransport #FutureMobility #TechInnovation #FlyingCars2026

Xpeng AeroHT, an affiliate of Xpeng, plans to deliver its flying car by 2026, according to co-president Brian Gu. The Land Aircraft Carrier, a truck with a detachable two-seater flying drone, was introduced last year. Pre-orders start this year, with delivery expected in 2026. Designed for scenic outskirts rather than urban centers, the flying car aims to simplify approval processes by working with municipalities to create flying parks and zones. Currently undergoing certification with China's aviation regulator, the vehicle won’t require a special license for initial leisure use. #XpengAeroHT #FlyingCar #ElectricVehicle #InnovativeTransport #FutureMobility #TechInnovation #FlyingCars2026

Public Opinion matters when it comes to safety of eVTOL Airtaxi operating in urban environments. Less than 50% of Canadians are in favour of passenger transport by Airtaxis. What would you suggest it would help to decrease public concerns when it comes to AAM? #evtol #dronedelivery #evtolbattery

#fundayMonday - funny how #whatsoldisnew again with the #advancedairmobility? These are the same pormises helicopter makers made in the late 1940s and early 1950s, so lets face the reality that greener and quieter is great, but there are no new usecases and no real value add for society in general when it comes to passenger eVTOLs - The real value add is eVTOL sUAS delivery and other small commercial drones.

As China advances towards launching EVTOL routes, the inaugural low-altitude short-distance route linking Shenzhen, Guangdong to Zhuhai has begun operations. Currently, there is one round trip via helicopter per day, with tickets priced around 999 yuan (USD141) for a single journey. With a travel time reduced to just 20 minutes from the previous 2-hour duration, the route, which opened on April 30th, serves the needs of business, tourism, and other purposes. In March, SF Express in China initiated trial operations for a drone delivery route connecting Shenzhen and Zhuhai. Users can book drone deliveries via the SF Express website during this trial period. Delivery times are approximately four hours, with a cost of around CNY400 (USD5.50) per parcel. The pricing encompasses a base rate, additional weight fees, and mileage charges. The drone, capable of cruising at 65 kilometers per hour, completes the journey in 40 minutes, half the time of conventional road transport, according to SF Express. Upon reaching the express sorting depot, the outlet manages the last-mile delivery. Each flight can transport a maximum of 20 kilograms, with eight to 10 flights scheduled daily. In February, Fengfei Aviation Technology, also known as AutoFlight, made history by conducting the world’s first inter-city electric air-taxi demonstration flight between the two cities, showcasing its five-seater Prosperity eVTOL. Video: CCTV Finance.

AutoFlight successfully conducted the first cross-Yangtze River flight with its Prosperity eVTOL aircraft. The flight began at the Nanjing UAV base in Pukou District, covering a distance of 25km in 10 minutes. This marks the first cross-Yangtze River journey by an eVTOL aircraft weighing over one ton. Amin Vadafar, Institute Executive Assistant, commented, “The insights shared and the collaboration forged here will undoubtedly accelerate the integration of innovative AAM solutions into our cities, enhancing connectivity, sustainability and economic growth.” Nanjing, a key transportation hub and economic center, often faces traffic congestion, especially around scenic spots. Despite several bridges, the 5.5km straight-line distance between Nanjing UAV Base and Yuzui Wetland Park requires a 25-minute drive. The eVTOL aircraft, however, can cover this distance in just five minutes, cutting travel time by 80%. AutoFlight's Prosperity eVTOL, with a maximum take-off weight of 2,200 kg and a five-seat cabin design, features a 'lift and cruise' wing configuration for vertical take-off and fixed-wing flight for horizontal cruising. This makes it an ideal choice for air-taxis, providing a solution to ease road congestion and offering tourists aerial views of Nanjing. The eVTOL aircraft aims to transform the Yangtze River from a natural barrier into a thoroughfare, providing an efficient travel solution for the 29 central cities along the river. AutoFlight envisions point-to-point air travel within cities and intercity areas, ultimately offering prices similar to ground-based car services. Noteworthy achievements of AutoFlight include setting world records for single battery charge flight distances (250.3km), completing a ground-breaking formation flight of three autonomous eVTOL aircraft, the first inter-city eVTOL air-taxi flight from Shenzhen to Zhuhai, and the first long-distance (123-km) flight of a tonne-class eVTOL in the Middle East. Additionally, AutoFlight's CarryAll cargo aircraft obtained type certification from the CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China in March 2024. To date, AutoFlight has completed over 10,000 eVTOL flights. Read the text on our blog. #AvfoilNews #AutoFlight #eVTOL #YangtzeRiver #AviationInnovation #UrbanAirMobility #AirTaxis #SustainableTravel #Nanjing #AerialTransport #AAM #AviationTechnology #CAAC

Promise of flying taxis at Paris Olympics turns into short demonstration flight. While the vision of people flitting across Paris in air taxis during the Olympic Games did not materialise, German air mobility provider Volocopter carried out a crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) demonstration flight at the Palace of Versailles, coinciding with the Games closing ceremony. The failure to secure commercial air taxi services during the Games was not so much around the eVTOL technology but achieving safety certification. Ensuring the reliability of the eVTOL aircraft, especially in a densely populated area like Paris, requires rigorous testing and certification. A further complication is the regulatory frameworks for air traffic management and urban air mobility are still being developed. Infrastructure challenges also played a role and building the necessary vertiports and integrating them into the city's transportation network would have been a more complex undertaking than initially envisaged. In the event, Volocopter did not obtain the necessary approvals from the EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency but can take credit for pursuing the ambition of French President Emmanuel Macron "to demonstrate innovation in France in the summer of 2024.” A number of eVTOL companies initially expressed interest in the President’s challenge but fell by the wayside as the complexities became apparent, particularly relating to the safety certification process. Another issue was noise levels. Although eVTOLs are generally quieter than traditional helicopters but they have unique sound characteristics. While lower in decibels, the pitch and frequency of the sound generated during takeoff and landing was considered potentially intrusive and alarming to residents. Nevertheless, the possibility of some kind of air taxi service remained live even in the week up to the Olympics’ opening ceremony... Find out more 👉 https://buff.ly/3WRslLt #drones #evtol #dronetech #dronenews #flyingtaxi

In an exciting development for air mobility, FlyNow Aviation CEO announces plans for small eCopters capable of ferrying passengers around the UAE and Saudi Arabia within a few years. Austria-based FlyNow Aviation, reminiscent of LIFT Aircraft's HEXA, has received safety certification from EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency for its innovative eCopter, signaling progress in the certification process. The eCopter, weighing 360kg and designed to accommodate up to two passengers, boasts autonomous flight capabilities and features multiple battery and motor backup redundancies for enhanced safety. With a cruising speed of 130 km/h and a maximum altitude of 300 meters, coupled with a battery range of 30 minutes, the eCopter presents a promising solution to alleviate road congestion in urban centers like Riyadh and Dubai. Jürgen Greil, CEO of FlyNow, emphasizes the importance of establishing a Sandbox Testing Environment for the vehicle, with initial flights focusing on cargo payloads before progressing to passenger trials. The company envisions collaborating with regional partners to create supportive ecosystems, enabling seamless passenger experiences through a user-friendly app booking system. As the Middle East emerges as a frontrunner in the Advanced Air Mobility revolution, FlyNow's innovative concept represents a viable and transformative addition to the region's transportation landscape. For more insights into FlyNow's groundbreaking eCopter project and its implications for future mobility, read the full article on our blog. #avfoilnews #FlyNow #eCopter #AdvancedAirMobility #FutureofTransportation #UrbanAirMobility

Xpeng AeroHT, an affiliate of Xpeng, plans to deliver its flying car by 2026, according to co-president Brian Gu. The Land Aircraft Carrier, a truck with a detachable two-seater flying drone, was introduced last year. Pre-orders start this year, with delivery expected in 2026. Designed for scenic outskirts rather than urban centers, the flying car aims to simplify approval processes by working with municipalities to create flying parks and zones. Currently undergoing certification with China's aviation regulator, the vehicle won't require a special license for initial leisure use. This groundbreaking electric vehicle represents a significant leap forward in innovative transport and future mobility. . . . #XpengAeroHT #FlyingCar #ElectricVehicle #InnovativeTransport #FutureMobility #TechInnovation #FlyingCars2026 #TribuneTrends