Financial and Operational Highlights for the First Quarter 2023

• Total revenues were RMB22.2 million (US$3.2 million), representing a growth of 41.6% compared to RMB15.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Gross margin was 63.9%, representing a continued high gross margin level with a slight decrease of 2.2 percentage points compared to 66.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Operating loss was RMB75.7 million (US$11.0 million), representing an improvement of 17.8% from RMB92.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted operating loss¹ (non-GAAP) was RMB34.3 million (US$5.0 million), representing an improvement of 44.1% from RMB61.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Net loss was RMB87.0 million (US$12.7 million), representing an improvement of 21.0% from RMB110.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Adjusted net loss² (non-GAAP) was RMB33.6 million (US$4.9 million), representing an improvement of 43.5% from RMB59.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

• Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, restricted short-term deposits and short-term investments balances were RMB217.6 million (US$31.7 million) as of March 31, 2023.
• Sales and deliveries of EH216 series AAVs³ were 11 units, compared with 6 units in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Business Highlights for the First Quarter 2023 and Recent Developments

EH216-S Type Certification’s Compliance Tests in Final Phase Completed More Than 90%

In the first quarter of 2023, the EH216-S type certification process with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (the “CAAC”) has achieved significant progress in the final phase of Demonstration and Verification of Compliance. As of today, more than 90% of the compliance tests in the final phase have been completed step by step. During the process, EHang conducted a great number of laboratory tests, ground tests and flight tests at multiple professional aeronautical laboratories and test sites across China under the CAAC’s inspections. The completed tests, including but not limited to battery, environmental, material, strength, software, data link, ground control station tests, demonstrated and verified the safety and airworthiness of the EH216-S AAV. The Company is making all efforts to conclude the remaining tests in the final sprint.

Continued Trial Operations of AAVs in China

Under the CAAC’s guidance and the Company’s 100 Air Mobility Route Initiative, EHang, along with its customers and partners, have developed a total of 19 trial operation spots across 17 cities in China during the past two years. As of today, approximate 8,800 safe operational trial flights have been completed by EH216-S AAVs for aerial sightseeing at these spots, which paves the way for commercial operations following the certification.

Deliveries of Six Units of EH216-S to Fengshan for Aerial Sightseeing at Low-Altitude Flying Camp in Guangxi

EHang received a purchase order for six units of EH216-S from the Fengshan Tourism Investment Development Co., a typical local tourism operator which aims to boost its post-pandemic tourism business with new solutions, and delivered them in the first quarter. The customer plans to establish a low-altitude flying camp for aerial sightseeing in Fengshan’s Sanmenhai national 4A-class scenic area, a UNESCO Global Geopark and a famous karst landform tourist resort in Guangxi, China.

Cooperation with Xiyu Tourism to Jointly Develop Aerial Sightseeing in Xinjiang

In March 2023, EHang signed a cooperation framework agreement with Xiyu Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (300859.SZ) (“Xiyu Tourism”), a leading tourism company in Xinjiang, China listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Both parties plan to set up a joint venture for developing low-altitude tourism and sightseeing projects with EHang AAVs in the Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, a national 5A-class tourist attraction, and other scenic areas in Xinjiang. The cooperation plans to operate a minimum of 120 units of EH216-S or EHang’s comparable passenger-carrying AAVs within the next five years.

Strategic Partnership with XAIC and Indicative Purchase Order for 20 Units of EH216-S

In March 2023, EHang reached a strategic partnership agreement on urban air mobility (“UAM”) and smart city management with Xi’an Aerospace Investment Technology Innovation Development Holding Group Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xi’an Aerospace Investment Co., Ltd. (“XAIC”) which is sponsored by the Xi’an municipal government. Under this partnership, EHang received an indicative purchase order for 20 units of EH216-S, the fulfillment of which is expected to be completed by 2025.

Completion of Japan’s First Passenger-Carrying Autonomous eVTOL Flight Demonstration by EH216-S and Induction into Japan’s Public-Private Committee for Advanced Air Mobility

In February 2023, EH216-S completed Japan’s first passenger-carrying autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) flight demonstration in Oita, Japan under the approval of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (“MLIT”). In April 2023, EHang was inducted as a member of Japan’s Public-Private Committee for Advanced Air Mobility (“AAM”), a platform jointly established by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (“METI”) and MLIT for worldwide industry leaders in the public and private sectors on adopting flying vehicles in Japan.

CEO Remarks

Mr. Huazhi Hu, EHang’s Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “As anticipated, we witnessed increasing demands for our AAVs upon the post pandemic recovery of the tourism industry in China. In the first quarter, we achieved more customer orders and deliveries, leading to remarkable revenue growth of 42% quarter over quarter and 283% year over year. Meanwhile, we maintained a high quarterly gross margin of 63.9%, a testament to our competitive strengths and first mover advantages in the global UAM and eVTOL industry. Moreover, the US$10 million strategic investment from the Qingdao West Coast New Area was closed in the first quarter, which enhanced our cash position to support our operations and growth.”

“Currently our top priority is to obtain the EH216-S type certificate as soon as possible in the near term. With continued tailwinds from tourism recovery and favorable domestic policies, as well as our leading position in advanced AAVs and related systems, we feel very confident in our vast potential to thrive in the UAM sector and are very optimistic for what’s ahead.”

Financial Results for the First Quarter 2023

Revenues

Total revenues were RMB22.2million (US$3.2 million), representing a growth of 41.6% quarter on quarter from RMB15.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to the increase in the sales volume of EH216 series AAV products.

Costs of revenues

Costs of revenues were RMB8.0 million (US$1.2 million), compared with RMB5.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily in line with the increase in the sales volume of EH216 series AAV products.

Gross profit and gross margin

Gross profit was RMB14.2 million (US$2.1 million), representing an increase of 36.9% quarter on quarter from RMB10.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to the increase in the sales volume of EH216 series AAV products.

Gross margin was 63.9%, down 2.2 percentage points from 66.1% in the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin was mainly due to changes in revenue mix.

Operating expenses

Total operating expenses were RMB91.5 million (US$13.3 million), representing a decrease of 12.0% compared with RMB104.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

• Sales and marketing expenses were RMB12.4 million (US$1.8 million), compared with RMB15.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly due to lower share-based compensation expenses for a certain portion of share-based awards vested in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• General and administrative expenses were RMB25.0 million (US$3.6 million), compared with RMB51.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The decrease was mainly attributed to additional provisions for several long-aging accounts receivable on certain customers in the fourth quarter of 2022.
• Research and development expenses were RMB54.1 million (US$7.9 million), compared with RMB37.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase was mainly due to higher share-based compensation expenses for new grant of share-based awards and continued focus on EH216-S type certification and increased expenditures on the conforming aircraft and compliance tests in the final demonstration and verification phase.

Adjusted operating expenses⁴ (non-GAAP)

Adjusted operating expenses were RMB50.1 million (US$7.3 million), compared with RMB73.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. Adjusted sales and marketing expenses, adjusted general and administration expenses, and adjusted research and development expenses were RMB7.5 million (US$1.1 million), RMB15.8 million (US$2.3 million) and RMB26.8 million (US$3.9 million) in the first quarter of 2023, respectively. The decrease in adjusted operating expenses was primarily due to the same reasons under “Operating expenses”.

Operating loss

Operating loss was RMB75.7 million (US$11.0 million), representing an improvement of 17.8% from RMB92.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Adjusted operating loss (non-GAAP)⁵

Adjusted operating loss was RMB34.3 million (US$5.0 million), representing an improvement of 44.1% from RMB61.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Other expenses

Other expenses were RMB11.2 million (US$1.6 million), compared with RMB18.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, primarily due to the non-cash expenses of amortization of debt discounts, relating to the interim funding recognized as short-term debt provided by an investor in the private placement entered in December 2022. The Company accounted for a significant portion of the funds as short-term debt and the remaining portion as warrants under additional paid-in capital. The Company has repaid the interim funding of short-term debt in full and concurrently received US$10 million as purchase price of Class A ordinary shares.

Net loss

Net loss was RMB87.0 million (US$12.7 million), representing an improvement of 21.0% from RMB110.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Adjusted net loss (non-GAAP)⁶

Adjusted net loss was RMB33.6 million (US$4.9 million), representing an improvement of 43.5% from RMB59.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Adjusted net loss attributable to EHang’s ordinary shareholders was RMB33.4 million (US$4.9 million), representing an improvement of 43.7% from RMB59.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Loss per share and per ADS

Basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share were both RMB0.74 (US$0.11). Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ordinary share⁷ (non-GAAP) were both RMB0.28 (US$0.04).

Basic and diluted net loss per ADS were both RMB1.48 (US$0.22). Adjusted basic and diluted net loss per ADS⁸ (non-GAAP) were both RMB0.56 (US$0.08).

Balance Sheets

• Cash, cash equivalents, restricted short-term deposits and short-term investments balances were RMB217.6 million (US$31.7 million) as of March 31, 2023.

Going Concern

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is currently largely dependent on when we will obtain the type certificate of our EH216-S in the near term to launch fully commercial sales of our EH216-S AAVs, and our capability to raise additional funds through debt financings or equity offerings. We expect to obtain the type certificate in the near future as we are already in the final phase of Demonstration and Verification of Compliance for the EH216-S type certification and more than 90% of the compliance tests in the final phase have been completed, as of the date of this earnings release.

Business Outlook

The Company continues to receive increasing inquiries, demands and orders from customers for AAV uses in aerial tourism, urban transportation, emergency rescue, and smart city management, which are driven by its first-mover advantages, the post-epidemic recovery in travel and tourism, policy tailwinds on the UAM sector, and the expected upcoming commercialization. The Company’s EH216-S order pipeline in China has reached more than 100 units and continues growing. Most of these orders are conditional upon the Company’s completion of the type certification and expected to be fulfilled within one to three years following that.

The above outlook is based on information available as of the date of this press release and reflects the Company’s current and preliminary expectations regarding its business situation and market conditions. The outlook is subject to changes, especially uncertainties and situations related to the EH216-S certification process, epidemics, political and economic landscape, etc.

This press release was prepared and distributed by EHang.

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Irvine Vice Mayor, Tammy Kim visited PLANA’s Research and Development (R&D) Center located in Icheon, South Korea on June 1st, 2023. The tour was led by Braden J. Kim, CEO of PLANA, where they discussed the opening of PLANA’s new Irvine office and explored opportunities for collaboration around economic development and tech innovation.

PLANA recently opened an office in Irvine, CA to accommodate the FAA certification process and expand its market presence.

During her visit, Vice Mayor Tammy Kim engaged in productive discussions with PLANA’s leading researchers and executives, gaining valuable insights into the latest advancements and emerging technologies being developed at the facility around advanced air mobility. Vice Mayor Kim’s visit to PLANA ties into her efforts to promote economic development and provide support to Korean businesses looking to expand into the U.S.

Vice Mayor Kim expressed her enthusiasm for the potential collaborations between Irvine and PLANA, recognizing the mutual benefits the partnerships can bring to both regions. She emphasized the importance of fostering international cooperation and leveraging the strengths of each region’s technological expertise to drive innovation and economic growth.

“The establishment of PLANA’s presence in Irvine will not only enhance our technology ecosystem, but also create exciting opportunities for collaboration, research, and economic growth,” said Vice Mayor Tammy Kim. “As a Korean American, I look forward to the fruitful partnerships that will arise from this venture and the advancements we will achieve together,” she added.

“Irvine thrives as an aerospace hub with prominent players like Parker Aerospace, Unical Aviation, and Zephyr Aerospace. The AAM industry is also expanding, with emerging air taxi developers OverAir and Supernal. We are privileged to host the Vice Mayor of Irvine at PLANA’s R&D Center”, said Braden J. Kim, CEO of PLANA. “Collaborating with the city on policy, business, and infrastructure development paves the way for a new era in AAM. Together, we’ll revolutionize urban air mobility and shape the future of the industry.”

This press release was prepared and distributed by Plana.

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Under the new regulation, HEMS operators are required to implement certain equipment upgrades to enhance safety and operational capabilities. SPAES is proud to offer the installation of the Moving Map Display, a crucial tool for enhanced situational awareness and navigation assistance. This advanced display system provides real-time location information, terrain awareness, and obstacle alerts, enabling HEMS crews to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently during critical missions.

In addition to the Moving Map Display, SPAES is also equipped to install the Radio Altimeter with Annunciator, a vital instrument that provides accurate altitude information and audible warnings. This combination ensures precise altitude monitoring and enhances flight safety by alerting the crew to any deviations from the desired altitude.

„We are thrilled to introduce our comprehensive suite of solutions for medical systems on a global scale,“ said Joachim Schanz, CEO of SPAES. „As a Part21J and Part21G Organisation, we have a deep understanding of the regulatory requirements and the unique needs of HEMS operators. Our meticulously designed medical equipment aims to optimize functionality, space utilization, and patient comfort, thereby enhancing the overall capabilities of HEMS missions. Our expertise, combined with our commitment to delivering quality and timely services, positions SPAES as the ideal partner for HEMS operators seeking equipment installations and modifications.”

This press release was prepared and distributed by SPAES.

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“Mitch is no stranger to the industry or ASU, and he brings with him proven NVG experience,” said ASU President Dr. Joe Estrera. “ASU continues to win training contracts worldwide, and his experience and skills are a welcome addition to our team as we expand our mission to advance safety globally.”

McKinstry is an Idaho native, born and raised in Twin Falls. In his early twenties, he was inspired and mentored by ASU’s founder Mike Atwood to get involved with aviation through the Idaho Army National Guard. That led him to a distinguished military aviation career spanning over 38 years. He served in several duty positions as a flight instructor, standardization pilot, master gunner primarily in the AH64 Apache helicopter. 

Later in his career, he transitioned to the UH60L as an instructor and safety officer. CW5 McKinstry retired in August 2022 as the Idaho Army National Guard State Aviation Safety Officer. He transitioned from the Idaho National Guard to Life Flight Network for a short period before being recruited by ASU. McKinstry brings more than 2000 hours of night flying experience using Night Vision Imaging Systems to the ASU team.  “It really is an honor to continue a career instructing and flying with such an outstanding company and leader in the industry.  I look forward to working with the ASU team in supporting our partners making flying at night as safe as possible.” 

ASU recently announced winning the FAA rotorcraft training contract, and McKinstry will play a vital role in helping to train not only FAA pilots but also aircrews for initial and recurrent training.

McKinstry joins an experienced team of NVG instructor pilots who have trained over 6000 pilots and crewmembers. ASU holds FAA certifications in Part 133, 135, 137, and 141.

This press release was prepared and distributed by ASU.

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Mr. Burke will oversee the company’s operations in addition to driving Blackcomb’s growth in the utility and energy sector together with an expanded offering in backcountry tourism and advanced flight operations.

Mr. Burke brings over 30 years of experience to his role and is a commercial helicopter pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot rating. In addition to his aviation credentials, Mr. Burke has an MBA from Athabasca University with post-graduate studies at the Wharton School and Stanford.

“Our entire team is thrilled to have Jonathan back with us once again as our President and Accountable Executive. Jonathan has unparalleled strategic insight and a depth of industry experience, in addition to operating with our shared values of safety, sustainability and doing things right,” said Jason McLean Blackcomb Helicopters Chair and McLean Group CEO.

In recent years, Blackcomb Helicopters has significantly grown its tourism operations with the acquisition of Tyax Adventures and the creation of AlpX Expeditions, a dedicated backcountry tourism operation. Blackcomb’s year-around offerings include heli-skiing, heli-hiking, weddings, picnics and touring, in addition to a special-built alpine trail network that is exclusively accessible by helicopter. Blackcomb’s robust utility, search-and-rescue, and firefighting capabilities were also significantly expanded with the 2021 acquisition of Elbow River Helicopters, based in Springbank, Alberta.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Blackcomb

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HeliTrax, our cutting-edge system, has been widely recognized for its effectiveness in managing pilot training and scheduling. Now, we have expanded its capabilities to cater to the needs of engineers in the aviation industry.

With HeliTrax’s new engineer configuration, engineering teams can streamline their workflow, track maintenance activities, manage inventory, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. This powerful tool will enhance efficiency, improve communication, and contribute to the overall success of engineering operations.

At Helispeed, we believe in continuously innovating and providing comprehensive solutions to support all aspects of aviation. The integration of engineers into HeliTrax is another step towards optimizing operations and delivering the highest level of service to our clients.

If you are an engineer in the aviation industry, we invite you to explore the benefits of HeliTrax and experience its user-friendly interface and robust features.

Contact us today to learn more about how HeliTrax can revolutionize your engineering operations and enhance your efficiency and productivity. Join us in embracing the future of aviation engineering with HeliTrax!

This press release was prepared and distributed by HeliTrax

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Penned by legendary designer Frank Stephenson, AutoFlight’s Prosperity I represents the forefront of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. This innovative aircraft, often referred to as an Airtaxi, offers safe, quiet, and affordable urban air mobility solutions. AutoFlight is one of only a few eVTOL OEMs to have mastered the challenging ‘transition phase’ from vertical to horizontal flight and have done so hundreds of times, paving the way for sustainable, efficient, and reliable logistics and passenger transportation systems.

The 2023 Paris Air Show will serve as a global platform for AutoFlight to showcase the capabilities and advancements of Prosperity I. This much-anticipated event, after a 4-year absence, intends to highlight and promote environmentally friendly Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) innovations. It will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate AutoFlight’s leadership in the field, following the successful completion of the world’s longest eVTOL flight in February with distance of 250KM / 155 miles on a single charge.

AutoFlight CEO, Tian Yu, expresses his enthusiasm about the company’s participation in the Paris Air Show, stating, “We are excited to present to the world Prosperity I at the 2023 Paris Air Show and showcase the remarkable progress we have achieved in the field of electric vertical take-off and landing. We are seeing strong interest from eVTOL flight operators for both the cargo and passenger versions of the aircraft. This event will allow us to share our vision of safe, efficient, and sustainable urban air mobility with a global audience.“

Prosperity I, with its advanced features and design, presents a new era of safe and sustainable transportation possibilities, unlocking the prospect of more livable cities, with reduced congestion and air pollution.

AutoFlight invites attendees and industry stakeholders to visit their exhibition stand, Chalet #200, at the Paris Air Show to witness firsthand the future of urban air mobility.

This press release was prepared and distributed by AutoFlight.

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A&P Helicopters, based out of Richvale, California, provides a diverse range of services including Power Line Construction, External Cargo, Construction Lifts, Human External Cargo, Power and Pipeline Patrol, Law Enforcement, Motion Picture, Photography, and Insurance Retrieval.

The Eagle Single has been designed to be the helicopter of choice in the medium-lift market. An all-commercial helicopter ensuring lasting value, product support, part commonality, aftermarket accessories availability, and unmatched performance. The Eagle Single is suited to a variety of mission types including (but not limited to) personal use & film production, firefighting, utility work, forestry, and search & rescue. The Eagle Single is certified in Canada, the USA, Australia, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, and Japan.

This Eagle Single suited for utility work included some recent configuration upgrades including a lightweight utility configuration (under 6000 lbs.), full vertical reference door, new interior & exterior paint, new avionics suite, a complete rewire, and interior refurbishment.

To learn more about the Eagle Single, please click here: https://www.eaglecopters.com/services/aircraft-upgrades/eagle-single/

For related inquiries with A&P Helicopters, please click here: https://www.aphelicopters.com/contact

This press release was prepared and distributed by Eagle Copters Ltd.

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Ole Maloy, Managing Director of Siemens Healthineers Middle East, Southern & Eastern Africa, said, “At Siemens Healthineers, we are committed to providing access to care for everyone. Our partnership with Wingcopter will look to bridge the existing gaps in healthcare infrastructure, providing equitable and affordable access to diagnostic testing and medical supplies.”

The utilization of Wingcopter’s delivery drones interconnected with Siemens Healthineers’ laboratory diagnostics facilities will allow for quick and automated 2-way delivery of samples, medicine and other medical products. The battery-powered drones will be operated by Wingcopter, covering a range of 75 kilometers while maintaining the cold chain at all times. These sustainable and efficient drone delivery networks will allow for the centralization of sample testing and medical consumables distribution, resulting in improved access to diagnosis, faster turnaround time, increased efficiency and reduction in costs.

Tom Plümmer, CEO and Co-founder of Wingcopter GmbH, comments, “We are convinced that we have found the perfect partner for our bold ambitions to improve and save the lives of millions of people on the African continent and beyond. Partnering with Siemens Healthineers will bring us a big step closer to the goal we are working tirelessly towards: to make a real social impact worldwide for those who need it most through fast, reliable and sustainable drone delivery networks in the sky.”

Roughly half of the world’s population still lack access to essential health services such as timely diagnostic services, according to a report from the World Bank and WHO. While accessibility for diagnostic testing will increase, the drone delivery solution will also have a positive impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from access to health, to potential reductions in carbon footprint and the risk of road accidents, to capacity building on drone operations. Wingcopter intends to train and upskill local young people, creating jobs and perspectives in the fast-growing drone industry. In doing so, Wingcopter is following the company’s approach in Malawi, where operations are run by an all-local, majority-female crew.

The exact time and place of the first deployment of drone-based lab sample deliveries will be announced in due time.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Wingcopter.

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To address key challenges facing the future of air transport, NASA has awarded $5.7 million to a multi-university partnership as part of the agency’s University Leadership Initiative.

The project, led by Boston University over the next three years, will bring together researchers and engineers from Virginia Tech, Embry-Riddle University, Tuskegee University, and industry partner Joby Aviation to focus on developing quieter vertical lift air vehicles.

Advanced or urban air mobility concept vehicles are typically electric vertical take-off and landing, commonly called eVTOL, vehicles with four or more rotors. The grant will support research into the technical and environmental challenges of flying in urban environments.

Added convenience, added noise

As populations in urban areas continue to grow, increased traffic and industrial activity is causing cities to become louder and louder. Factoring in new modes of transportation, such as vertical lift air vehicles, will contribute to already existing noise pollution. 

The research will develop methods to better predict low noise operations of such vehicles within the urban canyon. The research team will explore how much the ingestion of large-scale disturbances during flight, such as gusts of winds, will affect rotor noise.  

“This is a complicated problem,” said W. Nathan Alexander, assistant professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. “While a helicopter has one main rotor, these vehicles have multiple rotors. This provides additional degrees of freedom to control sound through individual rotor RPM and tilt, but it also makes the problem more complex. The goal is to determine the optimal configuration for safe operations in unsteady environments that also produce low noise.” 

Both computational and experimental methods will be used to satisfy the research objectives.

Virginia Tech will take point on the experimental studies and has been awarded $1.3 million from the total NASA grant. Alexander, an expert in fluid dynamics, flow-structure interaction, and flow generated noise, will team with Nanyaporn Intaratep, research assistant professor, to plan and execute testing in the Stability Wind Tunnel. 

The Stability Wind Tunnel is one of the leading university-owned research facilities of its kind specializing in aerodynamic and aeroacoustic testing. In addition to low background noise, the facility boasts state-of-the-art instrumentation and unique capabilities for measuring aeroacoustic flow, such as its 251-channel microphone array and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry  systems. 

Working with Joby Aviation, Alexander and Intaratep will design and conduct experiments to assess the aerodynamic and acoustic performances of multirotor configurations. 

The team’s experiments will focus on the rotors themselves – studying their interaction in gusty environments, and measuring the RPM, thrust, torque, and noise from a variety of angles, as well as the flow field in and around those rotors. 

The data captured will help validate computational models from university partners to predict the steady state noise as well as a vehicle’s response to disturbances in an urban setting. 

Throughout the experimentation phase, Alexander and Intaratep will also develop a virtual lab to increase the research’s educational impact. “Most institutions do not have a facility like the Stability Wind Tunnel,” Alexander said. “By using what we learned over the COVID-19 pandemic in delivering a meaningful, online lab experience, we will be able to offer students at our partner universities the ability to participate in real flow and noise data acquisition and processing.” 

The methods and data derived from this study will be open-sourced, aiding in the industry advancement of vertical lift air vehicles. The research will also provide graduate and undergraduate students hands-on research experience related to the urban air mobility industry.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Virginia Tech

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“Each year, we work to further streamline our procedures, making for an even more convenient flight experience for our passengers,” said Tim Edmonds, Vice President of Aviation for Sweet Helicopters. “This year, we added two new charter helicopters to our fleet, allowing us to transport significantly more visitors on race day without increasing customer wait time.”

Sweet Helicopters shattered its previous record for passengers transported with 350, selling out available tickets and topping last year’s total of roughly 300 passengers.

“The Indianapolis 500 is considered ‘the greatest spectacle in racing,’” said Tim. “We believe visitors shouldn’t have to have to navigate through slow, dense traffic to experience the high-speed, adrenaline-pumping action of the big race. That’s where Sweet Helicopters charter flights play a crucial role.”

Guests could depart from four different locations in the Indianapolis area, including the Downtown Heliport. Pilots would then fly passengers high above the traffic and long lines, landing safely outside turn two of the racetrack. Flights began at the crack of dawn and ran until the start of the race. The rotors again began spinning once the end of the race neared, as pilots returned guests to their original departure locations.

Anyone interested in the convenience Sweet Helicopters’ charter flights provide should register to be notified when tickets for 2024 become available. This can be done at sweethelicopters.com/indy500.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Sweet Helicopters

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NHV will provide helicopter transportation services to support CNR’s operations offshore at the Espoir field and the Baobab field, including scheduled crew changes, transportation of passengers and goods, unscheduled ad hoc flights, and emergency cover.

To provide these services, NHV will operate with 2x AW169 helicopters instead of the previously used Dauphin N3 helicopter. Innovation is key at NHV Group, so they want to operate with a modern fleet to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction. These helicopters are specifically designed for offshore operations and will allow NHV to provide safe and reliable transportation services to CNR’s operations in Ivory Coast.

“NHV has been delivering helicopter services in Côte d’Ivoire for CNR since 2014 and we are delighted to continue to provide them with our helicopter services according to their needs. This is the third type of helicopter we have provided to them,” said NHV Côte d’Ivoire Managing Director, Agathe Dona-Fologo.

“Our team is dedicated to providing safe and reliable transportation to our clients, and we look forward to supporting CNR’s offshore operations in Abidjan for the next five plus years!”

The award of this new contract highlights NHV Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to providing high-quality helicopter services to its clients in West Africa.

This press release was prepared and distributed by NHV Group

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ChipCHECK, a portable and automated debris analysis tool, was selected following a multi-year trial, that was initiated under the Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP), now known as the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISCP). The purpose of the ISCP was to bring high Solution Readiness Level (SRL) innovations from Canadian technology developers to the intended market for feedback. Throughout the course of the program, Bell evaluated the effectiveness of ChipCHECK in supporting the CH146 Griffon. ChipCHECK provided Bell with the ability to analyze and evaluate the source of gearbox and engine wear debris at the Flightline with accuracy and an unprecedented turnaround time.

Bell is very positive about the impact of ChipCHECK and the ISCP. “The CH146 is the workhorse of the RCAF’s Tactical Aviation capability and ChipCHECK provides added assurance that the aircraft is ready to fly the demanding missions of the Canadian Armed Forces at all times” says Marc Bigaouette, Director Canadian Government Programs at Bell.

The benefits of ISCP have helped launch a uniquely Canadian innovation into markets around the world. “We cannot overstate the benefits of the program as it provided us with a new level of engagement with the RCAF and with industry-leading Original Equipment Manufacturer, Bell Textron Canada. The ISCP has provided us with valuable user feedback that we have incorporated into the ChipCHECK product line” said Shaun Horning, President, & CEO of Gastops. “It has helped us build a product that has now been adopted by as many as 17 defence forces across the globe” says Horning. For over 40 years Gastops has been leading the creation and digitization of intelligent condition-monitoring solutions used to optimize the availability, performance, and safety of critical engine and gearbox components. ChipCHECK has enabled operators and maintainers to make educated, proactive, and prognostic maintenance decisions without the reliance on complex and often distant analytical techniques and equipment.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Gastops

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“The Bell 407GXi is a proven platform in high-altitude environments and will be pivotal to Argentina’s Military Search and Rescue operations,” said John Ramos, managing director, Latin America. “All six Bell 407GXis will be outfitted in a utility configuration critical to rescue missions in Argentina’s mountainous terrain.”

Founded in 1986, Bell Textron Canada Ltd. is now represented by 1,400 highly skilled employees across the country focused on innovation, customer experience and superior service and support for customers around the globe. Bell Textron Canada Ltd. is responsible for Bell’s current commercial production line, including the Bell 505, Bell 407GXi, Bell 429 and SUBARU Bell 412EPX. To date, the company has built more than 5,600 commercial helicopters and delivered more than 1,000 aircraft to Canadian customers.

«This announcement is a testament to the long-standing partnership of Bell and CCC to deliver Canadian-built helicopters to customers around the globe. The Argentinian MOD will be well-served by the unmatched reliability and performance of its new Bell 407GXi fleet, and our team is delighted to enable their search and rescue mission.” – Steeve Lavoie, Bell Textron Canada ltd.

Bell proves its mature production and sustainment support capability with more than 1,600 Bell 407s globally, logging six million flight hours across the fleet and actively performing flight training as well as military and para-public missions. The 407GXi’s Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck enhances situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by delivering easy-to-read information at a glance. The Bell 407GXi’s new IFR capability will allow all-weather operations while continuing to provide multi-mission capability safely, reliably, and effectively.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Bell Textron Canada

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“I am thrilled to welcome Jim, Allan, and Kirsten to the Electra Board at this important time in the development of our eSTOL aircraft. They bring deep understanding of the industry and an invaluable perspective on aircraft development, operation, finance, and regulation to the team.” said John Langford, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Electra.

“Electra’s choice to develop a hybrid eSTOL aircraft is grounded in real experience with a broad range of technologies. I’m impressed with the team’s deliberate and thoughtful approach to the aircraft’s development, and I’m delighted to join the company at this exciting time as they prepare to demonstrate their proprietary technology in flight” said Albaugh.  

“The fixed-wing design of the Electra eSTOL aircraft not only reduces technical risk with better safety and economics compared to vertical takeoff alternatives, the lower complexity also ensures a straightforward path to certification,” notes McArtor. “I look forward to helping the team navigate the path to commercial operations and success.”

“Electra is transforming the $150 billion Advanced Air Mobility market by delivering the most flexible, efficient and cost-effective solution for urban and regional transport. It’s a pivotal time for the aviation industry and I’m honored to join the Electra Board to help guide the company’s growth and financing,” shared Bartok Touw.

James F. Albaugh retired as Executive Vice President of the Boeing Company and President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes in 2012. He also served as President of Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power, President of Boeing Space and Communications, and President of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. Albaugh is the current Chairman of the National Aeronautics Association, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and past President of the AIAA.

Allan McArtor is the former Chairman of Airbus Americas, where he served from 2001-2018. Previously, McArtor was Administrator of the FAA (1987-89), founder and CEO of Legend Airlines, and the member of the senior management team at Federal Express who launched their air operations. McArtor served as a decorated fighter pilot in Vietnam, and later flew as a USAF Thunderbird pilot.

Kirsten Bartok Touw is the co-founder and managing partner of AirFinance, which specializes in structured finance, leasing, and the financing of aircraft, with emphasis on emerging markets. She is also the co-founder and managing partner of New Vista Capital, the investment firm focused on aerospace, space, and national security technologies. She previously served as Vice President, Strategy, Structured Finance & Corporate Development at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC), and was a co-founder, board member and CFO of XOJET, one of the top business jet airlines in the U.S. Earlier, Bartok Touw worked in private equity, venture capital, investment banking and capital markets with Alpine Investors, JPMorgan Partners, and Goldman, Sachs & Co.  

This press release was prepared and distributed by Electra.aero.

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The contract, valued at US$455M, supports the recent US$1.7B award to GDIT by the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) for simulation capabilities and training support services to prepare initial entry-level and graduate-level rotary wing flight training at Fort Novosel.

Under the terms of the 12-year contract, CAE will build and deliver new full-flight simulators for the CH-47F and UH-60M platforms to meet the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s rotary–wing simulation services requirements. In addition to owning and operating the new training devices, CAE will also implement CH-47F and UH–60M software configurations for reconfigurable collective training devices.

Located at the U.S Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE), the FSTSS program represents the world’s largest helicopter simulation training program, replacing the former Flight School XXI (FSXXI) program, which supported simulation and training for nearly two decades. The FSXXI program trains approximately 3,900 Army aviators annually, bringing Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) and graduate-level pilots, crews and units to a higher level of proficiency.

“Proven U.S. Army training success at our Dothan Training Center for fixed-wing aviators and the expertise delivered through Flight School XXI and Advanced Helicopter Flight Training Services at Fort Novosel allows CAE to expand our trusted training solutions with the FSTSS program,” says Daniel Gelston, Group President, CAE Defense & Security. “It is our honor to provide training and simulation to all Army pilots, both fixed- and rotary-wing, to enhance mission readiness.”

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The pilot carried out the clutch warning light emergency procedure, and landed at the airport.

Ground crew found the clutch actuator electric drive motor had separated from the gearmotor assembly, and fallen between the drive belts and the right-hand fan shroud.

“A subsequent Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation found that during assembly of the gearmotor, the required thread adhesive was either not applied, or applied in a manner that did not prevent the loosening of the electric motor retaining nut,” ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod said.

“Consequently, over time, normal aircraft vibrations loosened the retaining nut, resulting in the clutch actuator electric motor separating from the gearmotor assembly in flight.”

Robinson Helicopter Company advised the ATSB they are working with the component manufacturer to rectify identified quality issues with the gearmotor assembly.

Robinson said it is also considering updating the procedures for the inspection of the clutch actuator assembly.

“This incident is a reminder to R44 maintainers and operators to be aware of the risks posed by the failure of this component, specifically the risk of a loose component interfering with the v-belts and impacting rotor drive,” Mr Macleod said.

“The ATSB encourages pilots and maintenance engineers to physically check the security of the R44 clutch gearmotor assembly on a regular basis.”

Additionally, Mr Macleod emphasised that any discovered defects should be rectified, and reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and the manufacturer.

Read the report: Drive belt tensioning motor failure involving Robinson R44 helicopter, VH-ZUJ, at Hamilton Island Airport, Queensland, on 8 January 2023

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The key differentiator of this solution lies in its integration of pass-through RGB cameras and an advanced AI algorithm. By harnessing this unique combination, the new hand visualization algorithm effectively eliminates the background and allows for a focused display of the hands within virtual environments. Using the RGB camera stream, ManoMotion leverages this data to visualize the hands in both virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) simulations. It is important to note that this development was directly tailored to meet the specific requirements of Vrgineers’ pilot cockpit tracking needs. 

The overarching goal of the mixed reality cockpit hand tracking project is to create a proof-of-concept, AI-driven hand visualization functionality for pilot cockpit training. By utilizing the real-time RGB camera stream, the system detects and isolates the pilot’s hands, seamlessly overlaying them onto the virtual reality scene. The development process involved the collaboration of Vrgineers and ManoMotion, who worked together to gather training data in the form of video feeds capturing users interacting with aircraft cockpit instrument panels. Subsequently, the real-time data stream undergoes processing, leveraging a pre-trained hand-tracking model to separate the hands from the live video stream and render them in a visual representation. 

“We are thrilled about our cooperation with Vrgineers,” says Lars Österberg, CEO of ManoMotion, and adds: “Enabling pilots to see and interact with their real hands in VR helps make the cockpit pilot training solution even more immersive.”

This pioneering integration of AI hand-tracking technology and the cockpit environment marks a significant advancement in the field of pilot training. The resulting immersive experience offers enhanced realism and interactivity, further bridging the gap between virtual simulations and real-world applications. Vrgineers and ManoMotion’s collaboration exemplifies their dedication to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and their commitment to meeting the specific needs of pilot training in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. 

“As a virtual and mixed reality simulation specialist, we always try to find new innovative ways to increase the immersion of our solutions. Vrgineers was the first company to fully integrate infrared hand-tracking into a virtual reality headset. And now, together with ManoMotion AI recognition using visible light, we are doing the same for the mixed reality,” says Marek Polcak, CEO of Vrgineers, and adds: “By supporting both technologies, we can combine their strengths to deliver the very best existing hand-tracking available in any headset on the market.” 

This press release was prepared and distributed by Vrgineers.

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The DART Aerospace Model 311 GII Fire Attack System, P/N 311-000001 specifications are:

• Capacity: 260 GAL (985 LTR)
• System weight: 566 LB (257 KG)
• Foam Capacity: 14 GAL (53 LTR)
• Hover Refill Rate: 450 GPM (1703 LPM)
• V_NE (Hover Pump Installed): 125 KIAS
• V_NE (Hover Pump Removed): 125 KIAS

The Model 311 GII FAS is an aerial firefighting system designed to mount to the underside of the Airbus H145 (MBB-BK 117) C-2, D-2, and D-3 models. The system features a foam system which can convert a payload of water into fire retardant foam (surfactant, Class A) as needed during a mission, two hydraulically actuated drop doors, and a hover refill system which allows the crew to refill the water tank while hovering over an open water source. The FAS is certified for Day/Night VFR and can be installed and removed in less than 30 minutes.

Ryan Williamson, DART VP Sales and Marketing, commented, “DART is excited to obtain expanded FAA certification for the Model 311 GII, this is a direct response to strong customer demand for the Airbus H145 D‑3 rotorcraft.” According to his statement, obtaining this certification is evidence of DART’s commitment to producing the most advanced certified mission equipment on the market to meet evolving aerial firefighting mission requirements.

DART Aerospace Fire Attack Systems are widely operated as essential equipment for aerial firefighting missions across the globe. These systems are relied upon by government firefighting agencies, private operators, and OEMs for their exceptional safety, efficiency, reliability, and durability.

This press release was prepared and distributed by DART Aerospace.

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As the UAM industry pioneer, Volocopter is set to receive type certification (TC) in 2024 for its VoloCity, a 2-seater electric air taxi built for city use. The company will be the first to launch commercial services in Europe that meet the same very high safety standards commercial airliners must satisfy. Besides product certification, a successful industry launch and future operations scale-up require a solid UAM ecosystem. Plus, eVTOL fleets in global megacities will need to deliver fast turnaround times to maximize vertiport and airport space and provide an efficient customer service. 

AMOS excels at managing vehicle configuration traceability throughout its life cycle, a critical aspect of proper aircraft fleet maintenance. Further such aspects include component design/purchase dates, installation/replacement dates, and total operating hours. AMOS will also monitor ground handling operations, deploy the relevant tools, and manage ground staff assignments. Ground technicians will use AMOSmobile/EXEC, a touch-optimized mobile maintenance solution for “live” data streams. Further, artificial intelligence (AI) will enable reliability monitoring to improve fleet management efficiency. 

Meanwhile, Volocopter’s VoloIQ backbone will monitor customer-facing services like the booking process, as well as aircraft location and status, and battery health. Interlinking Volocopter’s air- and ground-side operations will create a fast, transparent, and safe fleet management system to support eVTOL operations scaling.

Fabiano Faccoli, Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Aviation Software, said: “We are looking forward to stepping into the future of urban air mobility with Volocopter. Signing with Volocopter is confirmation that AMOS stands for innovation! All Swiss-AS employees received the news with excitement and we look forward to cooperating with the UAM pioneer Volocopter, who is designing the customer journey from A to Z while complying with the highest safety standards.”  

Oliver Reinhardt, Chief Risk & Certification Officer of Volocopter, said: “With Swiss-AS as a partner, Volocopter is making strides to ensure that the maintenance of our VoloCity is managed and executed efficiently and foolproof. The AMOS software has a proven track record in the aviation industry – giving us confidence to obtain our Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) and Maintenance Organisation Approval (MOA), which is essential for our entry into service. Its compatibility with our VoloIQ is a must-have to provide outstanding customer service.”

Seamless and efficient maintenance and ground-side operations ensure the safety of passengers, ground crew, and aircraft, simultaneously enabling the fast scaling of the UAM ecosystem. Volocopter is strengthening all areas of its ecosystem: product certification, production, air- and now maintenance and ground-side operations. This industry-first collaboration between Swiss-AS and Volocopter will build the foundation and deliver best practices that will permit ongoing improvements to future eVTOL operations. 

This press release was prepared and distributed by Volocopter.

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