Last month Bristow announced it had placed deposits for early deliveries of five Elroy Air Chaparral VTOL cargo drones, part of the company's letter of intent to preorder 100 Chaparral systems in July 2022. The move ensures Bristow will receive some of the first commercially certified Elroy aircraft off the production line and will add the first VTOL cargo models to its aircraft portfolio. Elroy expects the first deliveries of Chaparral will happen in 2025. Operating a global network of helicopter services, Bristow plans to deploy the aircraft internationally to support advanced air mobility (AAM) use cases in cargo logistics, healthcare and energy.
A Bristow spokesperson said the early stage of Chaparral's development and certification make it difficult to pinpoint an exact delivery date. But the company sees it becoming an integral part of its global fleet to complement its services in existing markets. "There is an increasing demand for the movement of time-sensitive cargo for logistics, healthcare and energy applications," said Dave Stepanek, executive vice president and chief transformation officer at Bristow. "Securing these early delivery positions underscores our commitment to leading the AAM market and builds on our 75-plus year legacy of vertical lift innovations. At Bristow, we are excited to usher in a new era of vertical lift operations and collaborate with Elroy Air to meet the emerging market of express shipping cargo in cities and regions, without relying on existing or new airport infrastructure."
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Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Future Flight.
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Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry
The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.
NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars
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Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought
An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.
Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test
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Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension
Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.
First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft
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Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims
In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.
Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub
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Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation
Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing
Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.
