Thom Patterson

This summer, Los Alamos National Laboratory issued an ominous warning to remote pilots flying drones over the famed birthplace of the atomic bomb. “If you fly a drone over Los Alamos National Laboratory, in all likelihood you will lose your drone,” said the statement posted on the facility’s website. “The laboratory utilizes its Counter Unmanned […]

Next-generation electric aircraft propulsion company VerdeGo Aero has validated the efficiency of its hybrid-electric VH-3 powerplant. VerdeGo Aero engineers have been putting the VH-3 through an array of rigorous full-scale tests since mid-2020, the company said in a release. VerdeGo Aero reported success after performing endurance tests lasting up to six hours. Testing included simulation […]

After years of experimenting with hybrid electric prototypes, Diamond Aircraft will begin developing its first fully-electric airplane, the Austria-based manufacturer announced Tuesday. The airplane—dubbed the eDA40—will be targeted for flight training in school fleets, Diamond said. As the name suggests, the new aircraft will be modified from Diamond’s existing DA40 series, a single-engine piston, four-seat, […]

On a smoky mountain slope, an exhausted firefighter scans the hazy horizon around her. Beyond a line of flames, she can see a small town in the distance. She kneels down, reaches into her backpack, and pulls out a small quadcopter drone. After launching it into the air, the drone’s autopilot takes control, flying the […]

Billionaires Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson are on notice: The United Nations is not happy with their recent journeys to the edge of space. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared to call out the CEOs of Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic this month during a speech to world leaders. While not specifically naming them, Guterres […]

Los Angeles is shaping up to become the first major battleground in the potentially lucrative air taxi market. Already, industry players such as Hyundai, Archer Aviation, and Volocopter have partnered with community leaders who are setting the table for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. And while it’s not the only city, experts say […]

A pair of pilots based in the Florida Keys came to the rescue over the weekend to help a 230-pound sea turtle looking for a ride to his new home. It all started when word got out that a sea turtle named Matthew needed to be moved from a rescue facility called Sea Turtle Hospital […]

Bell Textron’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft hasn’t taken flight, but it’s already headed for the Smithsonian. The aerospace company announced last week its Nexus Air Taxi concept vehicle will be part of a special exhibit of futuristic technology at the new Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building in Washington, D.C., beginning in November. […]

Slovenia-based Pipistrel Aircraft has won the Aircraft Design Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), for its environmentally friendly Velis Electro. During a virtual award ceremony in August, the AIAA singled out the technical team behind the Velis Electro—a two-seat, prop-driven trainer powered by an electric motor. Accepting the award on behalf […]

Germany-based Volocopter has reached an important agreement aimed at tapping into what could be one of the world’s largest eVTOL markets: China. On Wednesday, Volocopter announced a joint venture agreement with Aerofugia to buy 150 eVTOL aircraft and to manufacture additional aircraft and parts in China. In a statement, Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter said the […]