New Atlas

Aircraft Audio available

Planned hybrid airship will combine aspects of planes, blimps and helicopters

Ben Coxworth November 8, 2018

It was just last year that we heard about the Plimp, a sort of plane/blimp/helicopter hybrid drone manufactured by Egan Airships. As was hinted at then, the Seattle-based company has now officially announced that it's working on a passenger-carrying variant known as the Model J.

Plans call for the Model J airship to be mainly computer-controlled

Aircraft Audio available

Autonomous Sikorsky helicopter makes piloting optional

Nick Lavars November 1, 2018

Describing a helicopter as "optionally piloted" might not do much to comfort those onboard, but this is the future DARPA is aiming for with its Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS).

DARPA and Sikorsky have been testing out the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System over the past ...

Aircraft

For $150,000 you can now order your own Hoverbike

Rich Haridy October 28, 2018

This crazy looking motorcycle-styled hoverbike appeared in early 2017 and we were skeptical the contraption would ever move beyond just an odd engineering curiosity. However, Hoversurf has revealed its hoverbikes are now ready for production and preorders are open, with delivery scheduled for 2019.

$10,000 will reserve you a limited edition Hoverbike

Aircraft

Bizarre Volerian aircraft design replaces jets and props with flapping wings

Loz Blain October 21, 2018

There are no powered spinning propellers in nature. When evolution has found an advantage to producing thrust in a fluid, it has done it mainly by flapping things back and forth - and a new VTOL aircraft propulsion system aims to do the same with a series of flapping wings mounted in large ducts.

Like a flying set of venetian blinds, Volerian's aircraft designs are build around the idea of ...

Aircraft Audio available

Massive Stratolaunch aircraft hits 90 mph on road to maiden flight

Rich Haridy October 21, 2018

After successfully completing low-speed taxi testing earlier this year, the giant Stratolaunch aircraft successfully hit a new milestone recently, reaching 90 mph during its latest stage of runway testing. The announcement comes days after co-founder of the company Paul Allen passed away.

Aircraft

GE unveils new supersonic commercial jet engine

David Szondy October 21, 2018

GE Aviation has given impetus to the revival of civilian supersonic flight by revealing a new family of engines designed to fly faster than the speed of sound. Called the Affinity, the new engine will be incorporated into Aerion AS2 supersonic business jet.

Aircraft

Volocopter flying taxi sets down in Singapore

Nick Lavars October 18, 2018

German aviation startup Volocopter is one of the more active players in the nascent flying taxi scene. It is continuing to spread its wings, today announcing plans to set up shop in Singapore and kick off test flights next year.

Voloctoper’s plans for Singapore include tests flights for the second half of 2019

Aircraft Audio available

US$4,950 now gets you a chance to fly a jetpack

Loz Blain October 17, 2018

Five grand isn't a ton of money in the scheme of things - you can easily spend more on watches, wine or a night out in Vegas. Or you could spend it becoming one of a very short list of people who have flown an honest-to-god jetpack.

David Mayman flies the JB-series jetpack. You can, too!

Aircraft

BAE Systems' Active Stick brings tactile feedback to civilian jets

David Szondy October 16, 2018

The FAA has certified BAE Systems' Active Stick technology for use in civilian aircraft. Standard equipment on the new Gulfstream G500 business jet, the technology provides tactile feedback to fly-by-wire systems, allowing the pilot to feel how the aircraft is handling.

Active Stick provides pilots with tactile feedback

Aircraft Audio available

Royal Navy makes first ever F-35B rolling landing

David Szondy October 15, 2018

A Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II VSTOL fighter has conducted the first ever Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL), a maneuver that allows the F-35B to land while carrying a heavy load of fuel and weapons, without needing arrestor cables.

A Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II makes the world's first SRVL