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Category Archives: aviation
Toyota to Invest in Joby Aviation EV Taxis!
In a quiet, overlooked announcement earlier this month, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) and Joby Aviation( NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced that Toyota will invest an additional $500 million to support the certification and commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxi. The investment will be made in two equal tranches, with the first targeted to close later this year and the second during 2025. This is part of a trend of traditional automobile companies transitioning to mobility companies on land, the seas, air or space.
“Today’s investment builds on nearly seven years of collaboration between our companies,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “The knowledge and support shared by Toyota has been instrumental in Joby’s success and we look forward to deepening our relationship as we deliver on our shared vision for the future of air travel.” Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, aviation, economy, electric vehicles, engineering, environment, global warming, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged akio toyoda, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, electric air taxis, JoeBen Bevirt, Ken Zino, NYSE: JOBY, NYSE: TM, Tetsuo Ogawa, Toyota Ventures, X @KenAutoinformed
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FAA Okays Automated Commercial Drone Flights
The FAA said today that it has authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. In a first for U.S. aviation, Zipline International and Wing Aviation can now deliver packages while it’s claimed that their drones safely separated from other air traffic using so called Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.
Previously, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the unmanned aircraft. However, what the FAA claims are new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are making these “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) flights routine. Considerable lobbying pressure no doubt is in play. The FAA budget was threatened by Republicans last year in latest fiscal year fiasco. The current budget expires on 30 September, so fasten your safety belt, this is going to be a stormy flight. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electronics, engineering, milestones, news analysis, shows and events, software defined vehicles, transportation
Tagged advanced air mobility industries, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Beyond Visual Line of Sight, BVLOS, commercial space, drones, faa, Ken Zino, unmanned aircraft
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Ex VP of KanRus Trading Guilty Exporting Avionics to Russia
Douglas Edward Robertson, 56, of Olathe, Kansas, the former vice president of KanRus Trading Company Inc., pleaded guilty yesterday for his role in a years-long conspiracy to circumvent U.S. export laws by filing false export forms with the U.S. government and, after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. KanRus continued to sell and export sophisticated and controlled avionics equipment to customers in Russia without the required licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Justice Department said. The so-called Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB aka FSS) the main security agency of Russia, successor agency to the KGB of the Soviet Union also used KanRus. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electronics, engineering, fools 'n frauds, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, controlled avionics equipment, Douglas Edward Robertson, fbi, KanRus Trading Company Inc, Ken Zino, Matthew G. Olsen, Putin’s war on Ukraine, Russian FSB or FSS, Russian KGB, Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System
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Stellantis Adds Another $55 Million to Archer Aviation
“Few things rival the excitement of seeing a dream take flight. I applaud the innovation, expertise and hard work of the engineering and manufacturing teams from Stellantis and Archer,” said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO. “With this additional investment in Archer, we remain on course for a future where freedom of mobility extends beyond today’s roads.” Continue reading
Posted in aviation, economy, electric vehicles, environment, milestones, mobility company, news analysis, transportation
Tagged Adam Goldstein, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, carlos tavares, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, eVTOL aircraft, Ken Zino, NYSE: ACHR, NYSE: STLA
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Air Travel Consumer Report Shows Improvements in 2023
The US Department of Transportation (DOT) today released its Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR)* on airline operational data compiled for the month of November 2023 for on-time performance, mishandled baggage, and mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. During 2023, DOT issued the largest fines on airlines in the history of the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection while helping return more than $3 billion in refunds to travelers since the start of the pandemic. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news analysis, people, transportation
Tagged air travel consumer report, ATCR, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ken Zino, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, President Biden and DOT Secretary Buttigieg, USDOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics
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Biden-Harris Administration – 157 More Infrastructure Grants
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said today it will award $245.9 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG). under the. The $245.9 million includes 153 grants in 37 states to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create jobs to build a better America. This trumps the trend during the last decade where political talk without funding delayed the ability to modernize technology and infrastructure that support the airspace. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, environment, milestones, news, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Biden-Harris Administration, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, dot, faa, Federal Aviation Administration, Ken Zino, Pete Buttigieg, President Biden, Vice President Harris.
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FAA – Record Commercial Space Operations in 2023
“Whether it’s issuing new licenses or renewing or modifying current licenses. The FAA is streamlining the process. Reducing duplicative requirements and providing useful guidance, we’ve also hired more staff to process license applications and are undertaking other improvements. Looking forward, we expect the total number of licensed commercial space operations to almost double again by 2026,” said Coleman. Continue reading
Supernal Shows S-A2 Electric Vertical Takeoff Aircraft
“From the beginning, Supernal has been on a mission to create the right product and the right market at the right time,” said Jaiwon Shin, president of Hyundai Motor Group and CEO of Supernal. “The unveiling of S-A2 demonstrates our unwavering commitment to deliver on that mission with a safe, efficient vehicle design that provides a clear path to market entry. By leveraging our talented 600-person team, the vast technical and business capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group and trusted aviation suppliers around the world, Supernal is ready to deliver a new era of flight.” Continue reading
Posted in aviation, electric vehicles, electronics, mobility company, new vehicle, news analysis, transportation
Tagged Advanced Air Mobility, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, Ben Diachun, eVTOL, Hyundai Motor Group, Jaiwon Shin, Ken Zino, MK04-Supernal, Supernal &, vertical takeoff and landing vehicle
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Air Travel Shows Improvement After DOT Scrutiny, Fines
The release of air travel service complaint data in the ATCR has been delayed primarily because of the continued high volume of complaints against airlines and ticket agents received by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) and the time needed to review and process these consumer complaints. In AutoInformed’s view airlines encourage the use of automobiles.* Continue reading
Posted in aviation, customer satisfaction, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, DOT Secretary Buttigieg, Ken Zino, October 2023 Air Travel Consumer Report, Office of Aviation Consumer Protection, President Biden, US Department of Transportation
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CHIPS and Science Act Phase 2 – Growth and Defense
The project will replace aging tools and quadruple the production of chips necessary for critical defense programs, including the F-35 fighter jet program. This begins of the next phase of implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a critical part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that supports a strong national defense and a growing American economy. Continue reading
Posted in aviation, economy, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, news analysis, people
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, BAE Systems, Biden-Harris Administration, CHIPS and Science Act, CHIPS Incentives, Ken Zino, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, semiconductors
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The Quantum Mobility Quest from Airbus and BMW Group
This could be a first-of-its-kind attempt to develop applications to harness quantum technologies for real-world industrial applications. The companies said it has the potential to forge more efficient, sustainable and safer solutions for the future of transportation. This nascent technology could play a key role in simulating various industrial and operational processes, opening up opportunities to shape future mobility products and services. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, autonomous vehicles, aviation, connected vehicles, electronics, engineering, manufacturing, milestones, mobility company, shows and events, transportation
Tagged Airbus, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, bmw group, data-driven industries, Dr. Peter Lehnert, IBM quantum computing, Isabell Gradert, Ken Zino, Quantum Computing Challenge, The Quantum Insider
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US Airline Employment Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
US scheduled-service passenger airlines employed 533,238 workers in September 2023 or 66% of the industry-wide total. Passenger airlines added 2938 employees in September 2023 for a twenty-ninth consecutive month of job growth dating back to May 2021 as the Biden Administration economic recovery continues. Southwest led scheduled passenger carriers, adding 882 employees. United Air Lines added 736, and Delta Airlines added 708. Continue reading
EPA – Lead Emissions from Aircraft Cause Air Pollution
“The science is clear: exposure to lead can cause irreversible and life-long health effects in children,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Aircraft that use leaded fuel are the dominant source of lead emissions in our air. With today’s action, the Biden-Harris Administration can move forward in the process to propose new standards to protect all communities from the serious threat of lead pollution from aircraft.” Continue reading
Posted in aviation, fuel economy or emissions, milestones, public health
Tagged 100 octane low lead fuel, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, automotive blog, Automotive news and analysis, general aviation, Ken Zino, leaded aircraft fuel. Clean air act, Michael S. Regan, ul94
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Toyota Motor, Joby Aviation Meet at Toyota’s Technical Center
Toyota Motor Corporation and Joby Aviation executives came together at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Shizuoka, Japan on Saturday 2 November. Present were Akio Toyoda, chairman Toyota Group, and Joby CEO and founder, JoeBen Bevirt, along with Joby’s air taxi, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL*). After its first flights in Japan on previous day, the plan was to get senior executives on board, so to speak.
However, the weather kept them on the ground. Nonetheless, their aspirations still soared upward. “Since its founding, Toyota has been working to realize a society in which everyone can move freely. About 100 years ago, in 1925, Sakichi Toyoda, founder of the Toyota Group, offered a prize to encourage the development of a storage battery that could provide enough performance ‘to fly an airplane across the Pacific Ocean.’ Since then, Toyota has continued to focus on the challenge of air mobility through the generations,” Toyota said in a release likely prepared when the Sun was shining. Continue reading →