Bellwether Industries

Bellwether Industries is a human-centric UAM company founded in London in January 2019. Our mission is to provide the most compatible Urban Air Mobility (UAM) solution for intracity travels with a safe, efficient, and comfortable experience. We believe that people commuting in the sky is inevitable within the next 10 years. Therefore, we created volar, an urban aircraft with a hidden propulsion system for the everyday commute. The ultimate goal of Bellwether is to build a brand new 3-Dimensional lifestyle and to lead the world toward more comprehensive urban mobility. With the invention of volar,  Bellwether Industries is revolutionising and redefining air travel.

Based in the UK, Bellwether Industries develops a private urban aircraft known as Volar, with a hidden propulsion system for intra-city travel.

Clean, congestion-free air travel gets liftoff

Passenger eVTOL Aircraft

Founder & CEO Kun-Yang Chen Tells Us How Bellwether Industries Limited Innovates and Overthrows the Boundaries during COVID-19 Pandemic

Based in the UK, Bellwether Industries develops a private urban aircraft known as Volar, with a hidden propulsion system for intra-city travel.The Volar is an eVTOL aircraft designed for private use, offering various options for intra-city travel. In January 2022, the company initiated flight testing of a half-scale prototype of the Volar eVTOL. The complete version of the Volar will be entirely electric, capable of reaching speeds up to 220 kmph (~135 mph), with a range of approximately 60–90 minutes. It can comfortably accommodate four to five passengers. In 2022, Bellwether announced the latest model of Volar, “Oryx,” featuring significant advancements in airframe design to enhance flight efficiency and control, ensuring stable performance. Oryx offers extended flight duration and optimal performance for navigating complex urban environments. It has undergone active testing in Dubai.Key customers and partnershipsIn April 2022, the company partnered with Inmarsat Velaris for the development of Bellwether’s Onboard Vehicle Management System and airspace integration.

Texas-based Lift Aircraft&nbsp; is a pioneering startup that focuses on the development and manufacturing of autonomous eVTOLs, with an emphasis on short recreational flights for individual users. The company claims to be the developer of the world's first personal eVTOL aircraft to enter production (in 2019) and launcher of the world’s first experiential entertainment business based on an entirely new type of personal, eVTOL aircraft.Its one-seater flagship eVTOL, HEXA, operates under FAA Part 103 rules, allowing personal flights without a pilot’s license. Introduced in 2019, HEXA features 18 electric motors with redundancy to ensure safety, a joystick control system, and the ability to land on both land and water. It is lightweight and designed for simplicity, enabling a broad audience to experience flying. HEXA can also be deployed by government agencies for emergency response under existing regulations, potentially improving response times by up to 50%.As of May 2023, Lift Aircraft focused on offering HEXA flights as short recreational experiences rather than selling the aircraft for private ownership, with initial rollout planned for 2023. Flight reservations were being accepted in 25 US cities by May 2023, with expansion based on demand. Flights cost approximately USD 249 for 8–15 minutes, comparable to other adventure activities like skydiving or helicopter tours.&nbsp;Lift Aircraft envisions HEXA's use in emergency response scenarios, potentially reducing response times by up to 50%.&nbsp;&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsIn&nbsp;<a href="https://verticalmag.com/news/lift-aircraft-qarbon-aerospace-evtol-manufacturing/">June 2021</a>, Lift collaborated with Qarbon Aerospace to produce the Hexa eVTOL, utilizing Qarbon's manufacturing knowledge in aviation structures. A year later, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liftaircraft.com/post/lift-aircraft-sparkcognition-and-skygrid-link-to-deliver-blockchain-utm-for-autonomous-vehicles">March 2022</a>, Lift joined SparkCognition Government Systems and SkyGrid to create blockchain-supported traffic management systems.Lift signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Charm Aviation in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liftaircraft.com/post/cleaner-and-quieter-alternative-to-helicopter-flights-coming-soon-to-new-york-city">October 2022</a> to establish vertiports and operate Hexa services in New York City. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.liftaircraft.com/post/lift-aircraft-completes-first-ever-piloted-evtol-demonstrations-in-japan">March 2023</a>, Lift partnered with Marubeni Corporation and GMO Internet Group to expand into Japan’s eVTOL market and solidified defense-related contracts with the US Air Force.

Lift Aircraft

Based in Munich, Germany, Lilium is a transportation company that manufactures eVTOL aircraft powered by an electric battery system, making them environmentally friendly and quiet while providing a fast and efficient mode of transportation for short to medium distances. Unlike traditional rotor-based eVTOLS, Lilium's aircraft feature jet engines, which, according to the company, provide a smoother, faster, and more efficient flight experience and can travel up to 186 miles on a single charge. As of December 2024, it had planned launch networks announced in Germany, the US, Brazil, and the UK. It has teams across Europe and the US.Lilium's business model has three main components. The first involves targeting business aviation customers through private or fractional ownership sales, while the second focuses on using the Lilium Jet for regional passenger shuttle networks that will be created and operated with third parties. Lastly, Lilium intends to provide enterprise solutions by selling fleets of Lilium Jets and related aftermarket services directly to enterprises and other customers.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<a href="https://yqqqphhcg2hvaaua-test001.pj-initial.net/updates/19752">June 2023</a>, it received the G-1 Certification basis from the FAA for the type certificate validation of its Lilium Jet. In&nbsp;<a href="https://lilium.com/newsroom-detail/lilium-receives-easa-design-organization-approval">November 2023</a>, Lilium also received Design Organization Approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), making it the only eVTOL manufacturer with both an EASA and FAA certification base for a powered-lift eVTOL aircraft. The company was working toward a targeted initial Type Certification in late 2025 and was planning its first manned flight test of the type conforming aircraft for the second half of 2024. In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31654">July 2024</a>, Lilium announced that its first deliveries of its Lilium Jet were expected in 2026 and that after assembly, the first piloted flight of its "Lilium Jet MSN 2" was scheduled for early 2025.&nbsp;Lilium entered self-administration in November 2024 after announcing insolvency plans in&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35028">October 2024</a>. The filing followed the German Parliament’s rejection of its ~USD 55 million loan request that&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/35028">same month</a>.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsLilium has signed agreements with Tier-1 aerospace suppliers such as Toray Industries, Aciturri Aerostructures, Aeronamic, Aernnova, Astronics, Ratier Figeac (Collins Aerospace Group), Diehl Aviation, Expliseat, GKN Aerospace, L3 Harris, Honeywell Aerospace, Magnaghi Aeronautica, CUSTOMCELLS, and Perryman. It has also partnered with&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28275">Garmin</a> for Avionics,&nbsp; <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27047">Schnaithmann Maschinenbau</a> to design and build its propulsion assembly line, and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28802">Honeywell</a> to produce propulsion unit position sensors.Lilium’s global partnerships to develop eVTOL infrastructure include collaborations in the US with&nbsp;<a href="https://lilium.com/newsroom-detail/abb-and-lilium-team-to-revolutionize-charging-infrastructure-for-regional-air-travel">ABB E-mobility</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27658">Atlantic Aviation</a>, and NetJets; Europe with&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25443">Fraport</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31898">SEA Milan Airports, Skyports Infrastructure</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31929">Groupe ADP</a>; the UK with eVolare; Brazil with Azul SA; China with&nbsp;<a href="https://yqqqphhcg2hvaaua-test001.pj-initial.net/updates/19529">Heli-Eastern</a>; and ASEAN with&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26779">Star Charge and PhilJets</a>.The company’s partnerships to launch eVTOL passenger services include its&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/29169">May 2024</a> partnership with UrbanLink to introduce 20 jets for South Florida eVTOL services, a&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/31415">July 2024</a> partnership with Saudi Arabian carrier SAUDIA for 100 jets, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34137">September 2024</a> partnership with Galaxy FBO and EMCJET to expand into Houston with regional connectivity and jet sales, which was to start in 2026.

Lilium

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 California-based NFT Inc. (doing business as ASKA) is an eVTOL company that is actively developing ASKA&trade;, an electric drive and fly eVTOL vehicle. In April 2021, the company opened what it claimed to be the world's first flying car showroom, aimed at initiating pre-sales for a limited edition of the ASKA eVTOL vehicle, exclusively available to 1,500 customers. In
 <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aska-unveils-worlds-first-drive--fly-evtol---aska-a5-at-ces-2023-las-vegas-301713240.html">
 2023
 </a>
 , the company debuted its full-scale, functional prototype of the ASKA A5. According to the company, it was the world's first four-seater electric vehicle capable of traveling by road and up to 250 miles by air on a single charge. Furthermore, the company had unveiled plans for the ASKA on-Demand ride service, which was scheduled to launch in 2026. This service would introduce a fleet of ASKA vehicles that would operate on-demand in major cities and their surrounding areas, offering passengers convenient transportation options.
 
 
 Priced at USD 789,000 (which includes pilot license training), the ASKA offers two takeoff options depending on the location: it can either take off on a runway in rural areas to conserve energy or perform vertical lifting/landing in restricted spaces. Each rotor would have an independent battery pack. However, the company has also incorporated two range extenders for redundancy, which would provide power using gasoline. Additionally, the two middle rotors of the aircraft can serve as wings, enabling gliding capability during emergency situations.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://www.askafly.com/post/5-year-space-act-agreement-with-nasa">
 March 2020
 </a>
 , the company entered a five-year space act agreement contract with NASA to enhance its involvement in NASA's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Campaign, which was jointly organized with the FAA.&nbsp;
 
 
 In 
 <a href="https://www.prlog.org/12906370-tech-mahindra-collaborates-with-aska-to-create-the-best-drive-and-fly-experience-collaboration.html">
 February 2022
 </a>
 , ASKA signed a collaborative agreement with Tech Mahindra to expedite the development, testing, and certification process of ASKA&trade; and achieve its commercialization goal by 2026. This partnership would harness Tech Mahindra's engineering expertise to support ASKA in various areas, including design, analysis, development of composites and advanced materials, crash dynamics (both automotive and aerospace), as well as battery and structural testing.
 
 
 
</div>

New Future Transportation, Inc. (NFT, Inc.)

Pivotal (formerly Opener) is an aerospace startup headquartered in California that focuses on developing innovative eVTOL aircraft. The company successfully conducted the first human flight of an all-electric fixed-wing VTOL aircraft in October 2011. Its flagship product, the Blackfly, is a personal aerial vehicle designed to provide individuals with a unique and accessible flying experience. The company claims that this was the world’s first all-electric, fixed-wing, eVTOL aircraft for personal transportation.In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25381">January 2024</a>, the company also launched Helix, a single-seat eVTOL aircraft that weighs ~348 pounds, and satisfies the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 103 (Ultralight) category. Helix can fly over non-congested areas and from airports in a range of ~20 miles. As of September 2024, Helix was available for pre-order starting at USD 190,000, with expected delivery in 2025.The Blackfly is a single-seat eVTOL aircraft that combines advanced technology with user-friendly features. It is powered by multiple electric motors and features a simple and intuitive control system, making it easy to operate for both experienced pilots and newcomers to aviation. With a range of over 20 miles and a cruise speed of 60 mph, the Blackfly offers convenient and efficient transportation for short to medium distances. The aircraft is equipped with redundant systems to ensure optimal performance and safety during flight. It also incorporates an innovative ballistic parachute system that can be deployed in emergency situations, providing an added layer of protection for the pilot. As of&nbsp;September 2024, the retail price of the BlackFly had not been announced.In&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34082">September 2024</a>, Pivotal reported that it completed 1,117 crewed flights in the BlackFly aircraft and claimed it as a milestone of flights for the first in-light eVTOL aircraft. Following this, in&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34244">September 2024</a>, Pivotal completed the delivery of 13 BlackFly aircraft to customers across the US as part of its Early Access Program.

Pivotal

Tetra Aviation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a specialized company developing eVTOL aircraft. Its primary focus revolves around the creation of its flagship product, the MK-3, which is a commercially available personal eVTOL. In <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tetra-wins-100-000-disruptor-award-at-gofly-final-fly-off-at-moffett-federal-airfield-at-nasas-ames-research-center-301013998.html">2020 </a>, the company emerged as the winner of the international challenge, GoFly, sponsored by Boeing. The competition drew participation from over 820 teams worldwide, and the company was able to acquire technology and know-how on obtaining flight permits through the contest. According to Tetra Aviation, it is also the first Japanese company to obtain a test flight permit for eVTOLs from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it began its flight testing in <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-02/tetra-aviations-mk-5-personal-evtol-starts-flight-testing">2021 </a>. As of May 2023, the company was also working closely with Japanese and US regulators for certification.The MK-3 is a one-seater eVTOL that can travel a range of ~100 miles (~160 km) at a cruise speed of 100 mph, with a load of ~200lbs (~90kg). The aircraft is equipped with 16 pairs of electric motors placed in nacelles along a pair of wings. Each nacelle is fitted with small vertical lift propellers, while a pusher propeller at the rear of the fuselage supports cruise flight.Funding and financialsIn its latest funding round in <a href="https://m.aviationweek.com/business-aviation/aircraft-propulsion/japans-tetra-secures-funds-personal-evtol">June 2022 </a>, the company secured JPY 450 million yen (~USD 3.3 million) for the development of its Mk-5 eVTOL aircraft.

Tetra Aviation

Companies that build eVTOLs that use rechargeable electric batteries (mostly lithium-ion) for propulsion. Batteries tend to be heavier and have lower energy density resulting in short vehicle flight-time and range.

Companies that build eVTOLs that use electricity and fossil fuels for propulsion to achieve a longer range. This hybrid propulsion system includes an internal combustion engine.

Companies that build eVTOLs that use hydrogen fuel cells for propulsion. Hydrogen fuel cells have a higher energy density than lithium-ion batteries and allow the aircraft to travel longer distances.

Providers of ground infrastructure (such as vertipads and vertiports), and air and digital infrastructure (such as navigation, flight controls, and other avionics for eVTOLs)

Contributes to the smart city concept by using tech to improve urban transportation quality

Part of Urban Air Mobility, which seeks ground congestion and air and noise pollution reduction

Bellwether Industries

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