FLYING TAXIS
CHINA-MADE AUTOPILOT ‘DRONE TAXI’ TO PERFORM DEMO FLIGHTS IN ISRAEL
Chinese company, Guangzhou
EHang Intelligent Technology, is set to showcase its innovative autopilot “air taxi” in Israel, as announced by the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The EHang 216S drone is a significant step forward in urban air mobility, capable of carrying two passengers while reaching speeds of up to 130 km per hour at an altitude of 500 meters. This demonstration will be the first of its kind in Israel and will be managed by both the CAA and the Israel Innovation Authority. The demonstration is part of a larger CAA-led initiative aimed at
promoting drone-related tech- nologies and fostering innovation within Israel. As part of this effort, the CAA has facilitated the transportation of two EHang drones to the country to highlight the potential of drones in the transportation sector, offering a glimpse into a future where air
taxis are a reality. Cando Drones, an Israeli aviation company taking part in the test flights, has revealed that the drones are expected to conduct trial flights in June, pending the receipt of necessary aviation permits. The tests in Israel will be operated by Cando Drones and its subsidiary,
Dronery Fly, with
support from a team of EHang experts who will travel to Israel specifically for this purpose. This international collaboration serves as a testament to the global interest in advancing drone technology and its potential applications in various industries.
FLYING TAXIS SET TO TAKE OFF IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS, SPAIN, IN 2024
Flying taxis or passenger transport drones are being considered by several European countries and dozens of prototypes are being tested across the globe. But in Spain, air taxis are now a reality and the company NextNorth is preparing to offer flights in the Balearic Islands after testing out the technology at the Qatar World Cup. The flights will be internal, costing 90 euros per passenger and will connect the islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca. It is an alternative to using air routes, boats and roads.
But because the flights will operate outside conventional airports and aerodromes, NetxNorth needs a mandatory authorisation from the European
78
Union Agency for Aviation Safety (EASA) and this said Spokesperson for NetxNorth, Gonzalo Grandes, will be achieved in 2024. Flying taxis aim to revolutionise short-haul aviation, offering a form of air travel that saves the public up to 80% of the journey time, on the same island or eventually between islands, by
booking
flights through this company. NextNorth’s aircraft are eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) and are environmentally
friendly as they don’t use jet fuel. The company promises that they are comfortable and silent, as well as being fully electric. Passengers travelling across the Balearic Islands will be able to book out an entire air taxi for their own use or rideshare, and customers will be able to book their seats on a number of trips. The final step for NextNorth before the flying taxis take to the air is for passengers in helicopters to deter- mine the best routes and locations, offering a “mobility alternative to some of the land and sea routes.” As the routes get up and running, another company, Bluenest, will begin building veriports and logistics lockers on the islands, which will connect the new aircraft with ground mobility.
JUNE 2023 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
