mastodon 4.7.3Senior Editor, The Air Current
Helios Horizon claims to have made "the first flight of a human-piloted electric plane powered by solid-state batteries." Some #battery experts would quibble with their definition of #solidstatebatteries but, as I report for The Air Current, it's still an impressive achievement. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatches/helios-horizon-solid-state-battery-tech-crewed-electric-flight/
#Garmin designed its Emergency #Autoland system to be used in the event of #pilot incapacitation, but the pilots in the first real-world deployment of the system weren't incapacitated. For The Air Current, I dug into the certification of Autoland and the thorny problems associated with #autonomy and accountability in #aviation. No paywall on this one! https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/garmin-autoland-first-deployment-accountability-pilots-automation/
This is a great overview of #skydiving #aircraft accident statistics by Colleen Mondor. #aviation #safety https://colleenmondor.substack.com/p/50-in-light-of-the-recent-crash-here
The #electric #aviation industry has publicly downplayed the challenges associated with certifying large #lithium propulsion #batteries, but it’s been a topic of intense negotiation behind the scenes. That's why a milestone announced this week by Swiss battery maker #H55 is so meaningful: it shows a manufacturer and regulator agreeing on the specific tests required to demonstrate that a large propulsion battery is safe for #flight. Full story in The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/solar-impulse-h55-battery-certification-hurdle-electric-aviation/
Every so often I get to write a story for the pure enjoyment of writing it. This is one of them: a look back at the dawn of the #helicopter industry, and how it had more in common with the emerging #eVTOL industry than either helicopter or eVTOL proponents would probably like to admit. #aviation #history https://theaircurrent.com/historical-context/coming-air-age-igor-sikorsky-evtol-hype-urban-air-mobilty/
Being part of an amazing team is the best thing about working at The Air Current — and that team is now expanding with the addition of Julie Johnsson, the phenomenal #aviation reporter who joins us from #Bloomberg #News. Welcome, Julie! https://theaircurrent.com/product-announcements/the-air-current-adds-julie-johnsson-editorial-team-global-correspondent/
The first full piloted transition #flight of any powered-lift #aircraft is a monumental achievement, and it was a pleasure catching up with Simon Davies to learn how UK-based #eVTOL developer #VerticalAerospace pulled it off. The milestone is especially significant for Vertical, which has had more to prove than its better-funded rivals and has long shaped its business strategy around the goal of demonstrating a piloted transition — not always to its benefit. https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/vertical-aerospace-piloted-evtol-transition-flight-milestone/
New from my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social: Coast Guard pilots said they believe risk of a #helicopter on helicopter collision near #DCA airport is *higher* after the #FAA changed the airspace in the wake of a 2025 midair crash. No paywall on this one! #aviation #safety https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/helicopter-dca-collision-coast-guard-risk-crash/
My colleagues at The Air Current spoke with more than two dozen #aviation industry and government officials to break down how the attempted rescue of #SpiritAirlines is playing out in the industry broadly. As one #airline exec put it: “The government can’t give something to Spirit and not to the rest of us. What’s so unique about Spirit?” https://theaircurrent.com/airlines/spirit-airlines-trump-administration-bankruptcy-bailout-jetblue/
An incredible report from my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social laying out the myriad factors that contributed to January's fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — you'll be amazed at what he turned up. It's a long read but well worth your time, and like all of The Air Current's #safety reporting, it's free for everyone to read. #aviation #aviationsafety #dca https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/dca-crash-jan-29-special-report/
Another #aviation news scoop from my colleagues at The Air Current today: #SpiritAirlines seeks U.S. government aid as #oil spike threatens turnaround https://theaircurrent.com/airlines/spirit-duffy-bailout-dot-fuel/
Big scoop from my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social: the #FAA is quietly developing a new #AI-powered software tool for air traffic management that could fundamentally change how the U.S.#airspace system operates. #Palantir, #Thales, #AirspaceIntelligence all bidding. #ATC #aviation https://theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-control/faa-smart-ai-predictive-air-traffic-management-system-palantir-thales/
Yesterday #MachIndustries alluded to a #Defense Innovation Unit contract award for runway-independent strike #aircraft. Today they revealed they're working with #WhisperAero on the program, leveraging Whisper's "stall-proof" JetFoil #technology. I did a deep dive on this novel #aviation tech for The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/technology/whisper-aero-jetfoil-stall-proof-wing-mach-industries-diu-rimes/
When I asked the #FAA last year about whether non-type-certificated #aircraft would conduct commercial operations under the #eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, their answer was a hard no. Now it's a distinct possibility — with some caveats, of course. Full story on this significant development for #electric #aviation in The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatches/faa-commercial-evtol-aam-ops-eipp/
The #FAA has provided its first official response to the #aviation #safety recommendations made by the #NTSB in the wake of last year's midair collision near #DCA. The agency said it has already addressed six recs and plans to fully address "more than half" by the end of this year. No paywall on this stellar reporting by my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social: https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/faa-dca-crash-recommendations-response-ntsb/
I recently had the chance to catch up with Jon Wagner of #Joby #Aviation for a Q&A in @ieeespectrum@mastodon.social. Former senior director of #battery #engineering for #Tesla, he's spent the past 8+ years helping Joby perfect its #eVTOL powertrain. No paywall! https://spectrum.ieee.org/amp/joby-air-taxi-2676635230-2676635230
For more than six years, the #NTSB has recommended that the #FAA develop guidance to help #pilots identify intoxicated passengers like the one whose actions precipitated the fatal #FlyNYON #helicopter crash in 2018. Now the FAA is passing the buck, as I report for Vertical Magazine. #aviation #safety https://verticalmag.com/news/urged-to-develop-guidance-for-identifying-drunk-passengers-faa-instead-tasks-operators-with-the-job/
“What I’ve been saying to politicians for the last 12 months is: Do we want this industry still in Europe or no? Do we want this in #Germany or no? And luckily, finally, the answer is yes.”
In my latest story for The Air Current, how ERC System is continuing to keep Germany's eVTOL dreams alive. #aviation #electricaviation #drones https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/germany-evtol-erc-heavy-lift-cargo-drone-lilium-volocopter/
US Transportation Secretary #SeanDuffy went for a flight with #BetaTechnologies CEO Kyle Clark in one of the company's #electric Alia CTOL #aircraft — I expect them to say more about this soon. (Pro subscribers to The Air Current get more details & video preview: https://theaircurrent.com/intel/transportation-secretary-sean-duffy-takes-historic-flight-in-beta-technologies-aircraft/)
A comprehensive review of the #V22 Osprey released Dec. 12 by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command #NAVAIR exposes critical safety and readiness concerns with the #Bell #Boeing #tiltrotor, including serious #safety risks that have persisted for years and remain unresolved. My latest story for The Air Current breaks it down. #aviation #aviationsafety https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/v-22-ospreys-safety-risks-navair-review-confirms/
When #UnitedAirlines CEO Scott Kirby recently said he doesn’t think #eVTOL #aircraft will be #airport taxis, he was reacting to very real safety concerns surrounding conflicts between #helicopters and fixed-wing traffic at busy airports. Behind the scenes, however, the FAA is doing a lot of careful work to facilitate their safe introduction in the future. Full story in The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-control/united-skeptical-evtol-airport-taxis-faa-simulations-scott-kirby/
#Honda announced its #eVTOL concept four years ago, then the program went into stealth mode. Now Honda R&D is at the #DubaiAirshow to share an update on its progress. Full details in my latest story for The Air Current. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/honda-evtol-development-dubai-update/
Psst... The Air Current now has an app! If you work in and/or love #aviation, check it out. While most of our stories are paywalled, non-subscribers can still access our safety reporting and free Airflow newsfeed. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-air-current/id6746278742
Another #V22 #Osprey made an emergency landing last week due to a gearbox crack, #Aviation Week reports: https://aviationweek.com/defense/budget-policy-operations/gearbox-crack-forced-mv-22b-emergency-landing-last-week
Context on this persistent unresolved #safety issue from December: https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/v-22-ospreys-safety-risks-navair-review-confirms/
Everyone loves an underdog… until it’s time to invest in one. As #VerticalAerospace prepares to unveil its new #eVTOL design this week, I wrote about the company’s complicated relationship with the stock market and how its weak balance sheet has been a drag on both its share price and fundraising. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/vertical-aerospace-stock-market-evtol-fundraising/
The Air Current only runs sales once a year, and this year we're offering 2 months of our highest subscription tier for just $50 — normally $795/year, but don't worry, there's no automatic renewal! As a biz indi subscriber, you'll also get to download PDFs of my special reports on the #Ukraine #drone industry & the challenges of certifying #AI for #aviation. Sign up here: https://theaircurrent.memberful.com/checkout?plan=69983
I caught up with Shane Arnott of #Anduril Industries in Dubai last week to discuss the company's new Omen #drone and supplier agreement with #eVTOL developer #ArcherAviation, which has interesting strategy implications for both companies. Full story is online at The Air Current. #aviation #electricaviation #defensetech https://theaircurrent.com/defense/archer-anduril-omen-defense-tech-evtol-investment/
Beta confirmed today that Duffy flew in both the CTOL and VTOL versions of its Alia aircraft: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/us-department-of-transportation-secretary-ugcPost-7467330610202787842-oFMs/
Check out #Valo, the new #eVTOL model revealed today by UK-based #VerticalAerospace. I wrote about the significance of the unveiling for the company earlier this week: https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/vertical-aerospace-stock-market-evtol-fundraising/
When #helicopter folks scoff at #eVTOL developers' projected certification timelines, much of their skepticism is rooted in the helicopter industry's own recent experiences in attempting to certify new #aviation technologies, particularly with the #FAA. I wrote about the factors behind these certification delays for Vertical Magazine: https://verticalmag.com/features/tracking-the-helicopter-certification-slowdown-causes-and-consequences/
Why would #eVTOL developer #EveAirMobility tap a competitor, #BetaTechnologies, for a critical component? The short answer is that Beta has the electric motors Eve needs. I spoke with Eve's CTO and Beta's CEO to unpack the rationale and strategy behind the deal. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/eve-competitor-beta-evtol-pusher-motors/
The sightseeing #helicopter that broke apart in flight and crashed into the Hudson River in April 2025 struck geese, according to newly published #NTSB documents (with @willguisbond@mastodon.social for TAC/Intel). #aviation #safety https://theaircurrent.com/intel/new-ntsb-material-shows-helicopter-involved-in-fatal-april-2025-accident-struck-birds-before-crashing-in-nyc-an-early-evtol-market/
