Pioneering the Future with Advanced Air Mobility

The Farnborough International Airshow has long been a prestigious platform for showcasing the most significant advancements in the aerospace industry. Since its inception, Farnborough has witnessed countless historic milestones, driving the evolution of aviation through technological breakthroughs and engineering marvels. The 2024 edition of the event, held from July 22 to 26 in Hampshire, UK, was no exception, as it marked a new chapter in the airshow’s rich legacy. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Farnborough 2024 was a testament to its enduring influence as a hub for innovation, partnerships, and the pursuit of cutting-edge goals in aerospace.

Among the many highlights, one of the most captivating features of this year’s airshow was the focus on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), a revolutionary concept poised to redefine the future of aerospace mobility. The airshow featured a wide array of innovative displays, from hybrid-electric propulsion systems and AI-driven maintenance solutions to next-generation turbofan engines, underscoring the aerospace sector’s commitment to creating a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

PEEKING INTO THE FUTURE

The 2024 Farnborough International Airshow showcased an exciting array of futuristic technology, concepts and advanced air mobility feats.

Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi made its first European appearance, offering a vision of urban air mobility. With six tilting rotors for lift and thrust, Joby’s air taxi has accumulated over 33,000 test miles and conducted more than 100 flights with pilots on board, signaling a promising future for urban transportation.

Supernal’s four-passenger S-A2 eVTOL aircraft made its international debut, showcasing a new mode of public transportation designed to alleviate urban traffic congestion. The engineering team is progressing towards a full-scale technology demonstrator, with the first prototype expected to fly in 2025.

VoltAero exhibited the Cassio 330, a hybrid-electric aircraft designed to provide sustainable regional air transportation. The Cassio 330 represents a significant step towards greener aviation solutions.

Airbus and Diehl Defence presented mockups of their remote carrier designs, featuring advanced aerodynamics, low-observable shapes, and internal weapon and sensor payload bays. Airbus’s Wingman concept and Diehl’s Feanix model demonstrated the potential for network-enabled, long-range unmanned systems capable of conducting swarming missions.

Digital reality solutions provider Hexagon unveiled its latest automated quality inspection system at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. The newly launched PRESTO XL inspection cell is a significant addition to Hexagon’s modular series of turn-key systems. Designed to meet the rising demand for increased aerospace production, the fully automated PRESTO XL system can be deployed globally on manufacturing lines within just 16 weeks. This system is suitable for inspecting over 50 per cent of major aerostructure components, including fuselage panels, doors, and wing ribs.

UK-based Magnet Schultz made waves at the Farnborough Airshow by unveiling its first EN9100-certified hydrogen power product. The company showcased its state-of-the-art solenoid valve designed for hydrogen gas flow control in aerospace applications. This high-tech proportional solenoid valve adheres to the EN9100 quality management standards set by the International Standards Organisation (ISO 9001), marking a significant milestone in hydrogen power technology for the aerospace sector.

GKN Aerospace revealed the H2FlyGHT initiative, an ambitious project to develop a 2-megawatt (MW) cryogenic hydrogen-electric propulsion system. This cutting-edge system aims to set new standards for the next generation of larger, sustainable aircraft. By leveraging hydrogen-electric technology, GKN Aerospace is paving the way for more environmentally friendly aviation solutions.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) emphasised the integration of AI and alternative fuels to drive the industry towards a greener and more efficient future.

DEALS

FIA2024 also witnessed some key announcements and strategic partnerships, strengthening the fact that the future of aviation is not far from reality.

GKN Aerospace will use Vaeridion’s all-electric, nine-passenger regional airliner as a testbed for developing new electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS) technology. The company announced the collaboration, along with a similar partnership with electric propulsion system developer H55. German startup Vaeridion is developing what it calls a Microliner to operate on routes of up to 272 nm, operating in IFR conditions. The company aims to achieve type certification before 2030 and said it will serve smaller cities.

Electra’s nine-passenger hybrid-electric eSTOL (electric short takeoff and landing) aircraft will incorporate Honeywell Aerospace’s flight control computers and electromechanical actuation systems. Honeywell confirmed its role as a programme partner and disclosed an investment from its venture capital business unit in the US startup. Electra’s innovative aircraft, combining blown lift technology with distributed electric propulsion, is designed to take off and land in under 150 feet, potentially enabling operations from unconventional locations like converted parking lots and short fields.

Global Sky has committed to purchasing 15 Cassio hybridelectric aircraft from VoltAero, becoming the launch customer for the French startup’s innovative vehicle. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) highlights the Cassio family’s potential for regional air services, freight deliveries, and emergency medical support. The aircraft, powered by a Safran EngineUs 100 electric motor and an internal combustion engine, offers a range of around 82 nm in all-electric mode, which extends significantly when using the engine to recharge the batteries.

Luxaviation Group’s Sigma Air Mobility is also partnering with VoltAero to introduce a family of hybrid-electric aircraft. During the airshow, VoltAero announced that Sigma will assist in developing use cases and testing the aircraft in various operational environments, with plans for a route demonstration project at an undisclosed location. VoltAero’s lineup includes the five-seat Cassio 330, the six-seat Cassio 480, and the larger Cassio 600, which can accommodate 10 to 12 passengers. The Cassio 330 model is slated to begin flight-testing a full-scale technology demonstrator in 2025, with EASA type certification expected by 2026.

Honeywell and Odys Aviation have signed an MoU to codevelop ground control stations for Odys Aviation’s hybridelectric VTOL aircraft, Laila. Designed for cargo delivery over distances up to 230 miles, Laila is poised for applications like pipeline inspections, geological surveys, and logistics services. The ground control stations, scalable to various VTOL platforms, will allow remote pilots to manage multiple vehicles simultaneously, including beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

Australian startup airline Wilbur Air has entered into an agreement with Spain’s Crisalion Mobility to operate 100 Integrity eVTOL aircraft. These five-passenger, battery-electric vehicles, capable of flying up to 71 nautical miles, will connect a network of vertiports planned across Australian cities. The Integrity eVTOL, featuring Crisalion’s patented FlyFree propulsion and stability system, aims for certification and service entry by 2030, with a maximum speed of 136 knots.

German electric aircraft manufacturer Lilium, in collaboration with SEA Milan Airports and Skyports Infrastructure, has initiated a project to establish a network of eVTOL air taxi services in Milan. The partnership will develop vertiports with the first route connecting Malpensa Airport to the city center. Operations with the Lilium Jet, which can carry four to six passengers over a range of approximately 95 nm, are expected to start in 2027, following EASA type certification by the end of 2025 and initial deliveries in 2026. Also, Saudi Arabian airline Saudia has entered into a binding sales agreement with Lilium for 50 six-passenger eVTOL aircraft, with options for an additional 50 units. The agreement includes Saudia’s support in securing type certification with the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia, with initial certification to be obtained through EASA. Lilium has also expanded its Power-On aftermarket services portfolio, offering a suite of digital solutions for the efficient operation of the Lilium Jet eVTOL. This includes flight planning, data monitoring, ground operations, and MRO services, ensuring seamless daily operations.

Eve Air Mobility, an Embraer spin-off, has secured additional funding from Space Florida, bringing its latest funding round to $95.6 million. This capital injection ensures financial support for its eVTOL programme through 2027. Eve also announced new partnerships with Diehl Aviation and ASE to develop cabin interiors and power distribution systems, respectively.

In a bid to develop a network of eVTOL air taxi services, Wisk Aero has partnered with Skyports Infrastructure to identify potential vertiport locations in Australia’s South East Queensland (SEQ) region. This collaboration will leverage the capabilities of Wisk’s Generation 6 eVTOL aircraft to establish early use cases for urban air mobility.

ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY (AAM) WAS A KEY FOCUS AT THIS YEAR’S EVENT, FEATURING REVOLUTIONARY CONCEPTS LIKE HYBRIDELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEMS, AI-DRIVEN MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS, AND NEXT-GENERATION TURBOFAN ENGINES

Boom Supersonic announced progress with its Overture aircraft, revealing a partnership with StandardAero to test and assemble the Symphony engines and unveiling the aircraft’s Honeywell Anthem avionics suite.

Jekta chose ZeroAvia’s fuel cell power generation system for its planned PHA-ZE 100 hydrogen-electric amphibious aircraft, with a full-scale prototype expected by 2027 and EASA type certification by 2029.

Farnborough Airshow was a powerful reminder of the aerospace industry’s relentless pursuit of innovation and technological advancement. As the world grapples with the challenges of sustainability and the need for more efficient transportation solutions, the spotlight on Advanced Air Mobility this year was particularly significant. Through groundbreaking technologies and strategic collaborations, the airshow demonstrated how the aerospace sector is not only embracing the future but actively shaping it. From the debut of hybrid-electric propulsion systems to the unveiling of AI-driven maintenance solutions, Farnborough 2024 underscored the industry’s collective drive toward a sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced future. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, the advancements showcased at Farnborough serve as a beacon of what lies ahead—a future where innovation and sustainability are at the heart of aerospace mobility.