Category: Aircrafts

Electric Aviation might take a flight as United Airlines orders 200 flying taxies

Flying cars have been a concept majorly explored in sci-fi and fantasy films like Harry Potter. Who does not remember Harry and Ron make their way to the Hogwarts train in a flying 1962 Ford Anglia 105E? While an interesting concept, the flying car or taxies have been limited to only films and pop culture. But it looks like reality is finally catching up to fiction!

United Airlines orders 200 flying taxies

United Airlines is investing $15 million in Eve Air Mobility. It is a Brazilian startup owned by the aircraft manufacturer Embraer. United Airlines is all set to purchase 200 of Eve’s electric air taxies that can seat up to 4 passengers. As only seen in Star Wars or the Avengers so far, these electric taxis can take off and land vertically like helicopters. This won’t be the first time United Airlines has made a major investment in electronic aviation. The company had last year invested in Archer, a company aiming to make a similar aircraft.

Companies like Eve Air Mobility and Archer are trying to develop small, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aimed at flying from rooftop to rooftop as a taxi service. However, none of the companies have received clearance from federal aviation regulations to fly passengers. It is to be noted that the United Airlines order of Eve flying taxis is a ‘conditional purchase agreement’, the terms of the conditions are not revealed by the company. The delivery of the first Eve aircraft is expected in 2026, having a range of 60 miles. The investment comes from United’s venture arm, United Airlines Ventures. This arm is being used by United Airlines to reach its zero emissions goal by 2050.

Rolls Royce ‘Spirit of Innovation’ Aircraft Breaks Speed Record with 623km/h Top Speed

The British luxury automobile maker Rolls-Royce is best known for making expensive and fancy cars, but now, along with manufacturing automobiles, the company has entered into the aviation world and has developed an aircraft called the ‘Spirit of Innovation’. The aircraft clocked up a maximum top speed of 623km/h (387.4mph) just two months after its maiden flight, which makes it “the world’s fastest all-electric aircraft.”

The company said in a press statement the aircraft set three world records in total, managing 532.1km/h over 15km, climbing to 3,000 metres in 202 seconds, and reaching 555.9 km/h over 3 kilometres, which helped the aircraft smash the existing record by 213.04 km/h. The company has claimed the record and is awaiting confirmation from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), who control and certify the world aeronautical and astronautical records.

The ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is an old-school “tail-dragger” aircraft with the canopy pushed way back. The company says the aircraft is powered by a 400kW electric powertrain and the most power-dense propulsion battery pack ever constructed in aerospace. The company partnered with aviation energy storage specialist Electroflight and automotive powertrain supplier YASA to build the aircraft.

The aircraft was designed to smash world records and bring zero-emissions air travel one step closer. The test pilot and Rolls-Royce Director of Flight Operations Phill O’Dell achieved a speed of more than 213.04 km/h in the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ and broke the previous record set by the Siemens eAircraft. After breaking the 4-year old record, he said, “this is the highlight of my career and is an incredible achievement for the whole team.”

Rolls Royce’s CEO Warren East said in a statement, “Staking the claim for the all-electric world-speed record is a fantastic achievement for the ACCEL team and Rolls-Royce. Following the world’s focus on the need for action at COP26, this is another milestone that will help make ‘jet zero’ a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonize transport across air, land and sea.”

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