- Oct 31, 202
The FAA has officially recognized air taxis as a new category of aircraft, paving the way for their commercial operation in the U.S.
Joby Aviation, a leading air taxi developer, has secured significant funding through a stock offering and a partnership with Toyota.
European air taxi companies face regulatory delays and financial challenges, highlighting the complexities of bringing this new technology to market.
Following years of big promises, the air taxi industry is now one step closer to providing innovative transport options to consumers in the U.S., as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has formally recognised the new category of aircraft. However, the futuristic urban metropolises portrayed in so many movies of that past have yet to materialise, as, despite impressive aircraft developments in recent years, progress in many parts of the world has been hindered by regulatory delays.
This October, the FAA announced it would be formally recognising air taxis as a new category of aircraft. This is the first time in around eight decades that a new category has been added. The FAA also finalised training and pilot certification rules for air taxis. The organisation said in a statement, it’s “the last key step needed to get them flying safely.”
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker recently wrote in a blog post, when air taxis do enter service, “they’ll be the first completely new aircraft category introduced to civil operations since helicopters in the 1940s.” This shows how far air transport has come in recent years, following years of modernisation of existing aircraft rather than innovation in new types of aircraft.
Air taxis are electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are small, electric vehicles that can take off and land vertically, without the need for a runway. Unlike a helicopter, which uses a singular large rotor, air taxis are designed to use several smaller rotors to fly, making them quieter and more compact. This is expected to give them greater access to residential areas that helicopters cannot normally enter.
Over 150 companies have been developing air taxi technology globally for around a decade. Most agree that the aircraft will resemble a drone in design. California-based Joby Aviation has designed its air taxi with six electric motors with propellors to lift the vehicle. The propellers can tilt, which allows the craft to manoeuvre in tight spaces and reach up to 200mph. The aircraft covers a range of up to 100 miles between charges, can fly at a height of over 10,000 feet above sea level, and can carry up to four people, including the pilot. Initially, air taxis will be operated by a pilot. However, most companies aim to achieve self-flying capabilities in the future.
Joby launched a test flight in New York City in 2023, signed a $131 million contract with the Air Force, and is expected to launch a ride-sharing service in the United Arab Emirates by 2026. However, companies hoping to launch air taxi services in the U.S. have been waiting on the FAA to make it possible. There have been delays in launching trial runs of the technology in other areas of the world due to regulatory hold-ups. For example, the German air taxi developer, Volocopter, intended to fly its aircraft at the 2024 Paris Olympics but gave up on plans due to certification delays with Europe’s air safety agency. Joby hopes to do what Volocopter could not and fly its air taxis at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Several other countries are optimistic about launching air taxi services within the next few years. The U.K.’s Department for Transport recently published its Future of Flight action plan, which outlines the aim to have the first eVTOL taxis over London within around two years.
While there is enthusiasm around the potential launch of air taxis in major cities worldwide, some aircraft companies are struggling. The German aerospace startup Lilium is reported to be on the brink of insolvency if it cannot raise financing from the Bavaria state government. The firm was once seen as Europe’s most advanced eVTOL company, but money problems have hindered progress. Lilium previously requested $54 million in loans from the federal government, which was rejected by lawmakers. This move has been criticised by those who view the rollout of EV aircraft as vital to achieving decarbonisation aims.
This October, California’s Joby announced a public offering of common stock, with the hope of raising $202 million. If achieved, the financing will be used for its “certification and manufacturing efforts, to prepare commercial operations and for general working capacity and other general corporate processes,” the firm stated in a regulatory filing. The price per share is $5.05.
Joby recently attracted $500 million in investment from Toyota, bringing the total investment from the Japanese automaker to $894 million. The two companies are working in collaboration in California, where Toyota shares its expertise and experience with the startup to support aircraft development. Joby and Toyota last year signed a long-term deal for Toyota to supply vital powertrain and actuation components for Joby’s eVTOL.
While some companies are struggling to raise the funds needed to carry their aircraft to completion, in the face of complex regulatory structures, others are progressing rapidly and expect to launch their first flying taxi trials this decade. Thanks to progress in regulatory structures in the U.S., we could be seeing air taxis arrive in New York and other cities in the near future, with trials in major cities in other countries expected shortly after.
By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com
Theme Song | The Jetsons | Warner Classics
Jetson ONE - Newest Generation eVTOL at the VIP Event
Jetson One: A personal flying vehicle just for having fun
No comments:
Post a Comment