#28 - Tom O'Leary - JetZero: Disrupting the duopoly
In this episode we jump into the world of blended-wing body aircraft and more specifically JetZero, the company leading the charge to make these aircraft a commercial reality.Joining us to do so we have Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero. A California-based company, although it has just announced its first facility to be built in Greensboro, North Carolina, JetZero is developing a blended wing body aircraft, that flips the script on the tube-and-wing designs that have become synonymous with so much of aircraft development. Designed to be way more fuel efficient and with reduced emissions, JetZero is targeting commercial and military markets with its Z4 aircraft.We discuss the vision behind JetZero, how it was founded, aircraft development progress, its new facility, the philosophy behind blended-wing bodies and much more besides.
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#27 - Kevin Noertker - Ampaire: Why hybrid-electric makes sense today
In this episode we are joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of hybrid-electric propulsion systems developer Ampaire.Since launching Ampaire in 2016 alongside Cory Combs, the Long Beach, California-based company has taken a leading approach to the development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for aviation and has most recently had its G-1 certification authorisation approved by the FAA. A first of its kind of this type of system in the US.Formerly of Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems and Surf Air Mobility, Kevin is also currently commissioner for economic development for the City of Long Beach. We discuss the G-1 basis from the FAA and upcoming flight testing to why hybrid-electric makes sense with today's technology and what Kevin would do if resources were limitless. Plus much more.
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38:54
#26 -Michael Cervenka - Vertical Aerospace: The UK's answer to the AAM question
In this episode we welcome on Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer of Vertical Aerospace. Cervenka joined Bristol-based eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical in the summer of 2019 and has played a key role in the company’s development since then. Vertical is developing an electric VTOL-capable aircraft capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers at a cruise speed of 150mph for up to 100 miles. The programme has recently achieved some significant flight test milestones including piloted wing-borne flight and is close to hitting the eVTOL 'Holy Grail' of piloted transition flight. Before joining Vertical, Michael spent two decades at Rolls-Royce in multiple roles including chief functional engineer for Civil Large Fleet Engines and head of Future Business Propositions.
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57:12
#25 - Eloa Guillotin and Luiz Oliveira - Beyond Aero: Hydrogen for business aviation
In this episode we welcome co-founder and CEO Eloa Guillotin and chief engineer Luiz Oliveira from Beyond Aero. Beyond is a Toulouse, France-based aircraft developer building the BYA-1 — a hydrogen-electric business aircraft targeted at sustainable business aviation with routes like Paris–Nice and Paris–Geneva.Guillotin and Oliveira share how the story behind the company's founding during the pandemic, why hydrogen fuel cells are key to decarbonising flight and how a modular architecture using off-the-shelf components eases certification under EASA's CS23 standards.They also emphasise how designing the aircraft from scratch enables efficiency, safety and performance. And much more besides.
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#24 - Eric Allison - Joby Aviation: Building from the front
In this episode Eric Allison, head of product at Joby Aviation brings us up to speed with where the California-based eVTOL developer is at today.He discusses partnerships with airlines and cities including Virgin Airlines and Dubai. Allison emphasises the importance of sustainability, cost-effectiveness and public acceptance to scaling operations. Additionally, he touches on timelines for commercial operations, potential use cases beyond urban air mobility and the evolving competitive landscape. Challenges such as battery technology, certification hurdles and airspace management amongst other topics also come up in conversation.
Welcome to The Revolution.Aero Podcast where we bring together some of our friends and colleagues from across the spectrum of aerospace innovation to shed more light on the emerging technologies promising to change how things and people move.Hosted by Yves Le Marquand and brought to you by the team at Revolution.Aero. Connect with us at www.revolution.aero
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