Important Innovations

  Revolutionary New Battery                                             Source:  Prototype e-VTOL Energy Dense, Rapid Recharge, Burst of Power Engineers at Penn State University have designed a battery prototype that they say is capable of powering flying cars.  The battery is specifically designed for e-VTOLs which take off and land vertically like a helicopter.  The battery has to deliver a lot of power very quickly to get a flying car off the ground.  The vehicles also require high energy density to keep flying.  And, the recharge needs to be quick because the main use of e-VTOLs is expected to be as flying taxis for commuters with frequent takeoffs and landings.  The Penn State team says their breakthrough battery can accomplish all of those requirements. Prototype Successfully Tested The Penn State team has successfully tested the performance of a pair of energy dense lithium ion batteries capable of delivering the power needed for a 50 mile, 5 to 10 minute e-VTOL flight. To preve

  Combination Plane and Drone - Tayln Air                                                  Source:  Talyn Air No Need For an Airport Los Angeles-based Talyn Air has designed a unique e-VTOL, an electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.  The vehicle is a concept that flies like a plane but launches and lands with the assistance of a large drone. The unmanned drone flies the e-VTOL to its flight level where it releases the e-VTOL once its rotors reach a flight sustaining speed. The drone returns to its base to be recharged for another takeoff or landing.  Talyn Air says this system is so efficient it can travel three to five times farther than most other electric planes. Rocket Science Talyn Air was co-founded by two astronauts, Jamie Gull and Evan Mucasey, who both worked on Crew Dragon and the Falcon 9 rocket at SpaceX.  Both of those space vehicles are reusable.  The Talyn system works like a rocket separating the first stage and transitioning to the second stage for forward flig

  Big City Commuting to Airports                                             Source:  Archer Aviation United & CA Startup Archer Aviation United Airlines is making a strategic move to deploy e-VTOL flying taxis to bring passengers in big cities to its airport terminals.  United has placed a $1 billion order for 200 Archer Aviation electric, vertical takeoff and landing (e-VTOL) flying taxis.  To build up development money, Archer is going public in a reverse merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).  United is also investing an undisclosed amount in the new entity.  Archer will trade on the NYSE with an initial valuation estimated at $3.8 billion. Archer Flying Taxis Archer's e-VTOL can carry a pilot and 4 passengers.  All electric, it has a 60 mile range and can travel at speeds up to 158 mph.  The  vehicle goes into test flights in the first half of 2021.  It will go into mass production in 2023 and will be fully operational in 2024, according to Archer.  Bill