Advanced Air Mobility Modern Flying News

Honda Receives FAA Green Light to Begin Flying Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft concept was first announced in 2021.

Monday, November 11, 2024 at 04:52 PM ET

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A digital rendering of Honda’s hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft concept. [Courtesy: Honda Motor Co.]

Key Takeaways:

Honda Research Institute (HRI) received FAA approval to begin testing a subscale model of its hybrid-electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft concept.
The VTOL design features separate propellers for vertical lift and forward propulsion (eight for lift, two for thrust) to minimize noise, and uses a hybrid-electric system with a gas turbine for an extended range of 250 miles.
Testing will occur at HRI's new facility in San Luis Obispo County, California, dedicated to VTOL research and development.
Honda envisions its VTOL as part of a multimodal transportation ecosystem, linking with existing transport methods, and also for cargo or emergency services, following a trend among other major automakers entering the VTOL market.

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Another of the world’s top automakers is stepping into the world of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

A spokesperson for Honda Aircraft Co., a subsidiary of the automobile giant, told FLYING the FAA granted an exemption to Honda Research Institute (HRI) to fly a subscale test model of the hybrid-electric VTOL concept it announced in 2021. According to the exemption, which was shared with FLYING by the FAA, testing will be conducted HRI’s facility in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.