Aircraft
From autonomous flying-taxis to experimental hypersonic craft, check out what's new in the world of aviation.
LATEST NEWS
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Zapata launches 250-km/h, flip-capable, jet-powered flying deck chair
August 15, 2022When we last saw Franky Zapata back in May, he was spinning uncontrollably down into the water from a serious height in a terrifying jetboard crash. But the flying Frenchman is back to launch a new, high-speed personal aircraft called the JetRacer. -
AI autopilot could let autonomous aircraft fly in busy airspaces
August 09, 2022While pilots often use an autopilot at high altitudes, they typically switch to manual control when entering crowded lower airspaces. However, what if the plane has no pilot? Well, a new AI autopilot system for busy airspaces may be the answer. -
Samson Switchblade flying car is finally ready for takeoff
August 01, 2022After 14 years of development, the Samson Switchblade – a fast, street-legal three-wheeler that converts at the touch of a button into a 200-mph airplane – has been approved for airworthiness by the FAA. The team is now preparing for flight tests. -
VW throws its hat into the eVTOL ring, with the "Flying Tiger" V.MO
July 29, 2022With the increasing development of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) "air taxis," it shouldn't come as a surprise that automakers are moving into the field. This week, Volkswagen Group China unveiled its own effort, the V.MO. -
Horizon presents a 50% scale prototype of its badass Cavorite X5 eVTOL
July 25, 2022Toronto's Horizon Aircraft has unveiled a 50% prototype of its gorgeous – and very unique – electric VTOL air taxi. The Cavorite X5 separates itself from the pack as the only eVTOL that completely covers its lift fans for super low-drag cruise flight. -
Zephyr UAS smashes its own endurance record, may still be up there
July 24, 2022The remarkable Zephyr is a stratospheric UAV designed to fly ultra-long endurance missions acting as a solar-powered observation and comms platform. In its latest test, it sailed past its old endurance record two weeks ago, and may still be up there. -
Eve ditches its pretty canard eVTOL design for something simpler
July 17, 2022Embraer spinoff Eve has changed tack on its eVTOL aircraft design, unveiling a new single-wing lift and cruise design, as well as a refreshingly utilitarian-looking mockup of its passenger cabin, at this week's Farnborough air show outside London. -
New Rolls-Royce turbogenerator upgrades any eVTOL's range and payload
July 13, 2022The world's second largest aircraft engine manufacturer is developing a series of compact, lightweight, highly efficient and fully certified turbogenerators, designed to radically upgrade the range and payload capabilities of any eVTOL aircraft. -
Israel's Air One personal eVTOL begins full-scale flight testing
July 12, 2022Cleared for airworthiness, Air's first full-scale eVTOL prototype has started flight testing. The Air One is an attractive two-seat manned multicopter with wings, designed for personal ownership and fun flight dynamics, with a US$150,000 price tag. -
ZeroAvia crash investigation complete: It wasn't the hydrogen
July 11, 2022Last April, a hydrogen-powered ZeroAvia test plane lost power and crashed during flight tests. The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch has now completed its investigation into the incident, and confirmed that the hydrogen system was not to blame. -
Reaction begins testing Mach 4 jet engine upgrades for US Air Force
July 08, 2022Reaction Engines has built a precooler for its SABRE engine that can chill a hypersonic airstream from 1,000 °C to -150 °C in 1/20th of a second. Now it's doing tests with the USAF and DoD to prove it can upgrade other existing jets to handle Mach 4. -
Gulfstream G800 ultra-long-range business jet makes maiden flight
June 30, 2022The new ultra-long-range Gulfstream G800 completed its first flight on Wednesday in the skies over the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia, on a two-hour test flight that used sustainable aviation fuel. -
LEO Flight reveals alpha prototype for its eVTOL flying hypercar
June 27, 2022LEO Flight, formerly known as Urban eVTOL, has presented a manned alpha prototype for its LEO Coupe, a flying hypercar the company says will eventually be capable of carrying three people at speeds up to 250 mph, complete with "dynamic" handling. -
Archer outlines what its early eVTOL air taxi service will look like
June 24, 2022The eVTOL age is just a couple of years from dawning. We caught up with Archer's Director of Business Development, Andrew Cummins, to learn what the first steps will look like when electric air taxis begin taking to the skies in 2024-25. -
Lockheed Martin lifts lid on Top Gun's Darkstar hypersonic jet concept
June 23, 2022"Top Gun: Maverick" has quickly become a monumental success at the box office, but the film's producers couldn't have done it without leveraging the expertise of some of the world's foremost experts in all things aerospace from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
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