Aircraft
From autonomous flying-taxis to experimental hypersonic craft, check out what's new in the world of aviation.
LATEST NEWS
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Watch: High-tech eSTOL aircraft hardly needs any runway
May 30, 2024This remarkable hybrid-electric aircraft has raked in more than US$8 billion on the back of its remarkable promise: quiet, long-range, low-emission flights using almost no runway for takeoff and landing. Watch it deliver in its first STOL test flight. -
Cruise-capable eVTOL flying motorcycle rocks tilting thrusters
May 30, 2024Czech company UDX is flying scale prototypes of a tandem 2-up eVTOL it calls Airwolf. With individually-tilting ducted fan propulsion, it's got enough wing surface for efficient cruise flight as well as agile movement from a hover. -
Heavy-lifting, long-range hydraulic uUAV multirotor flies into production
May 24, 2024The Scottish company behind a novel heavy-lift utility UAV that uses an internal combustion engine and hydraulic motors has now frozen design plans and is preparing for production following successful flight tests in Denmark. -
Sikorsky flight tests rotor blown wing VTOL tail-sitter for DARPA
May 23, 2024Sikorsky has advanced to the next phase of a DARPA project to develop an unmanned VTOL aircraft capable of flying all-weather missions from ships or land. The rotor blown wing VTOL tail-sitter is currently undergoing flight testing. -
Stunning drone vs plane footage is a wonderful advertisement for flight
May 17, 2024Flying has never looked more beautiful than in this short, cinematic FPV drone video. Serene, inspirational, captivating. The sheer confidence and skill in low-level flying as the pilot dips his wheels into the water are absolutely breathtaking. -
Video: Hermeus hypersonic aircraft gathers speed with precooler test
May 16, 2024Hermeus has stolen another quick march on its way to building a hypersonic aircraft as it begins testing its proprietary precooler on a Pratt & Whitney F100 jet engine that will be installed in the company's Quarterhorse Mk 2 prototype. -
Quantum navigation system aims to counter deadly GPS spoofing
May 16, 2024Britain has scored a world-first with a series of test flights to demonstrate the core technologies of a future quantum navigation system that's designed to foil one of the most potentially dangerous, yet not very widely publicized, threats that transportation faces: GPS jamming and spoofing. -
World-first aerospike rocket flight test ends in disaster
May 09, 2024It was set to be the world's first flight test for an aerospike rocket engine, but the MIRA I prototype crashed on takeoff before the most innovative part of its propulsion system could fire. Undeterred, Polaris is building two bigger prototypes. -
$190,000 eVTOL deliveries begin July – no license required
May 03, 2024Personal flight is currently undergoing a renaissance thanks to the rapid advancement of so many requisite industrial technologies. The next phase is poised to begin and the production version of this aircraft could well mark the occasion in history. -
Airbus Helicopters’ super-fast, efficient Racer makes maiden flight
April 25, 2024Airbus Helicopters has flown its high-speed concept copter, which dashes 50% faster than other commercial copters, for the first time. The 249-mph (216-kt, 400-km/h) Racer demonstrator is not only fast, but consumes up to 25% less fuel. -
Video: Beta Alia nails first manned eVTOL transition to cruise flight
April 23, 2024Vermont's Beta Technologies has emerged a leader in the eVTOL space, and it's now become the first to perform a successful transition – from helicopter-style hovering to airplane-like cruising – with a pilot on board. -
Video: Boom's XB-1 cleared for supersonic test flights
April 17, 2024Boom has been given permission to go supersonic by the US FAA. The first-ever Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach means the company's XB-1 prototype will be allowed to break the sound barrier during its test flights. -
Video: Odd Spanish eVTOL demonstrates fractal propulsion system
April 09, 2024How did we miss this one? This Spanish eVTOL has been flying in prototype form for a number of years now, using a unique 4x4-prop FlyFree tilting mechanism designed to keep the cabin level – and a new five-seat design takes things up a level. -
6x6 eVTOL-launcher adventure van edges closer to a new travel reality
April 04, 2024One of the most outrageous sci-fi vehicles we've ever seen is moving toward a 2025 debut. This electric six-wheel off-roader can stop and deploy a two-seat eVTOL aircraft, for unstoppable multi-mode adventure travel on an entirely new level. -
Video: World's first Jet Suit Grand Prix delivers thrills – and spills
April 03, 2024The first ever jet suit race has been held in Dubai. Racers each wrestled the thrust from seven 130-hp jet turbines to levitate and negotiate a course in spectacular head-to-head duels – and the event delivered the sport's first jet suit crash.
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