What is urban air mobility?

Urban air mobility (UAM), sometimes called advanced air mobility (AAM), is an emerging aerospace market. These aircraft can be piloted or autonomous, designed for cargo transport or as air taxis for transporting people intercity or intracity. Source: Composites end markets: Aerospace

Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are some of the first models to be developed for the urban air mobility market. They are powered by electric propulsion (generally batteries), and are designed to take off and land vertically. These can include propeller-centric, helicopter-style aircraft as well as fixed-wing aircraft.

How are composites being used in urban air mobility?

UAM aircraft are in various stages of development. Most, if not all, are using composites to some extent for aircraft bodies, wings or other components. The focus has been on technologies that are already qualified for commercial aircraft use – such as hand layup and autoclave cure of prepreg carbon fiber/epoxy. As progress continues, additional composite materials such as thermoplastic composites will likely become more widely used. Source: Composites end markets: Aerospace

URBAN AIR MOBILITY

Urban Air Mobility

Elroy Air secures $2 billion in VTOL purchases, transitions to new flight testing facility

The composite Chapparal VTOL manufacturer signed an agreement with LCI for a purchase of up to 40 vehicles, advances into full-scale ground and flight testing with a new facility and hangar.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Urban Air Mobility

Startup FlyBIS partners with Eve Air Mobility, orders up to 40 aircraft

The companies will cooperate to launch an eVTOL airline targeting service in Southern Brazil’s many congested cities by 2026.

Urban Air Mobility

SPE ACCE calls for papers, sponsors and exhibitors for 2023 event

The theme for the Sept. 6-8 event highlights the roles composites have in EV auto and air mobility, highlighted in the form of technical sessions, panel discussions, keynotes and exhibits.
#electricvehicles

Urban Air Mobility

Horizon’s Cavorite eVTOL prototype completes initial hover testing

Reports confirm the aircraft is extremely stable, is capable of full hover at only 65% power and has hovered with 20% of its fans purposely disabled.

Urban Air Mobility

Stellantis to build Midnight eVTOL aircraft with Archer

Stellantis is to contribute advanced manufacturing technology and expertise, experienced personnel and capital, in addition to help stand up Archer’s new composites manufacturing facility, with the ultimate goal of becoming Archer’s exclusive contract manufacturer.

Carbon fiber will enable air taxi eVTOLs

Aircraft and autos have indeed faced CFRP production woes, but new tech opens door for both.
#a350 #adhesives #peek

Want The Basics?
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Aerospace |

Composites end markets: Aerospace (2023)

With COVID in the past and passengers flying again, commercial aircraft production is ramping up. The aerocomposites supply chain is busy developing new M&P for an approaching next-generation aircraft program.
#Basics #sourcebook #nextgenaerospace

Jeff Sloan Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld

Videos / Podcasts

Urban Air Mobility

AIR ONE two-seater eVTOL achieves first hover tests

July 15, 2022 - 11:02 AM EST

AIR’s all-electric personal air mobility vehicle, which incorporates composites in structural and aesthetic components, is expected to deliver its first vehicles by 2024.

Defense

Plant tour: Qarbon Aerospace, Milledgeville, Ga. and Red Oak, Texas

March 28, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

Veteran aerostructures Tier 1 transforms into 21st century leader in thermoplastic composites and multiple new markets.
#planttour

Urban Air Mobility

First hover flight takes Archer Aviation’s Maker aircraft to the skies

December 24, 2021 - 10:00 AM EST

Six months after unveiling its composites-intensive Maker eVTOL aircraft, Archer has achieved both FAA airworthiness certification and its first successful hover flight, with a broadening flight testing campaign coming soon.

Urban Air Mobility

Swoop Aero strengthens partnership with Quickstep Holdings

November 15, 2021 - 12:00 PM EST

Next-generation urban aircraft developer expects to scale up its manufacturing capabilities into 2022, which includes the development of composite parts.

Urban Air Mobility

FAA approves G-1 Certification Basis for Archer

September 09, 2021 - 10:00 AM EST

The FAA’s approval enables Archer to move toward its goal of obtaining an FAA Type Certification for its composite all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Urban Air Mobility

Novotech launches SEAGULL hybrid-electric, composites-intensive aircraft

March 03, 2021 - 3:00 PM EST

Novel folding-wing, urban air mobility platform begins work toward certification.

Urban Air Mobility

Lilium, Toray reach carbon fiber supply agreement

July 13, 2020 - 6:30 PM EST

Toray will provide carbon fiber directly to Lilium during development of the Lilium Jet eVTOL craft, and then to suppliers during prototyping and production. Includes video of Lilium Jet test flight.
#sustainability

Prepregs |

Overair's Butterfly eVTOL prototype to integrate composites-intensive design

Aiming for first flight tests in the latter half of 2023, Overair’s Butterfly aircraft uses Toray carbon fiber/epoxy prepreg strategically to cut weight on its battery-powered, quiet aircraft.
#trends

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Urban Air Mobility

Joby completes second of four system reviews with the FAA

Series of system reviews serve to validate the overall architecture of Joby’s eVTOL aircraft, ensure the company’s development process is on track to satisfy FAA safety objectives.

Urban Air Mobility

Stratview Research publishes new report on composites use in the AAM/eVTOL markets

The detailed thought leadership report explores the highly profitable synergy that is going to take place between the composites and the eVTOL industry in the coming years, including an analysis of 500+ eVTOL programs and inputs from 20+ industry experts.

Urban Air Mobility

Lilium signs contract with eVolare, expands into U.K. market

The subsidiary will be Lilium’s lead partner and launch operator in the U.K., in addition to a pre-delivery payment for up to 20 limited-edition Lilium Jets.

Urban Air Mobility

Archer completes Maker’s first full transition flight

Full transition to full wing-borne flight takes place less than a year after the eVTOL’s first hover flight, the culmination of several months of intensive design, simulation and wind tunnel testing.

Urban Air Mobility

UD’s Center for Composite Materials hosts NASA University Leadership Initiative

October meeting of industry, government and academic accentuates the University of Delaware’s study of research and technology barriers in UAM using its new class of composite materials, TuFF.

Urban Air Mobility

Lilium, Saudia Airlines announce plan to bring electric air mobility to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s national airline invests in sustainable air mobility with plans to purchase 100 all-electric Lilium Jets and support certification across the MENA region.

Fabrics/Preforms |

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan identifies companies exhibiting at JEC World 2022 that are advancing both materials and technologies for the growing AAM, hydrogen, automotive and sustainability markets.

Jeff Sloan Editor-in-Chief, CompositesWorld