The Revolution.Aero Podcast

In this episode we are joined by Charles Acknin, CEO and co-founder, and Isaac Roberts, chief strategy officer, of Skyways.Since 2017, Skyways has been developing and building long-range, autonomous cargo drones capable of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for both the civil and defence markets. So far it has raised $25m across multiple funding rounds. We discuss Skyways' launch, born out of traffic-induced frustration, the pivot from all-electric to hybrid-electric for significantly greater range and endurance,  key military contracts that provided early experience of operating BVLOS, expansion beyond core logistics and much more besides. Support the show

In this episode we take a look inside the eVTOL development process in China with the CEO and co-founder of TCAB Yon Wui Ng. Formerly of Geely Terrafugia and Airbus China, Yon founded TCAB alongside a group of fellow engineers in 2021. In less than five years the company has built a full-scale prototype, completed transition testing and is undergoing type certification with the Chinese civil aviation regulator. The discussion touches on TCAB's pragmatic strategy to build an affordable tilt-rotor aircraft cheaper than a helicopter, their focus on horizontal integration and the significant advantages of China's EV supply chain and manufacturing power. We cover hurdles like evolving type certification standards and battery technology, with Yon advocating for simplicity. As well as TCAB's geopolitical export strategy to Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Yon also offers a vision for eVTOL infrastructure, repurposing bus stations and helipads as "bus stop" vertiports. Plus much more. Support the show

In this episode we are joined by Emerson Xu, CEO and co-founder and Sandra Steinhoff, head of events and partnerships at NexAvian.NexAvian is leading efforts in urban air mobility and advanced aerial logistics solutions across Asia. The firm offers services to support the development, market entry and operational sustainability of AAM, drawing from real-world industry experience and deep regional insight.Part of this effort involves hosting the inaugural APAC AAM Leadership Summit alongside the Singapore Airshow next week. The summit will convene global OEM leaders, regulators, operators, investors and infrastructure players for a one day conversation covering everything from certification timelines to cross-border operations and much more.We discuss the summit, the vision behind NexAvian and the future of AAM/low altitude economy in Asia more broadly. Support the show

In our latest episode we are joined by Dr Omer Ali Sufaideen, Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies Affairs, Rabdan Academy, United Arab Emirates.Omer was previously the Head of Military Studies Minor & Senior Lecturer in the Public Safety & Security Programme, School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, Singapore University of Social Sciences. In this programme, he both developed and taught the course on Countering Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia, Transnational Crime and Globalisation. A budding private pilot, Omer is almost uniquely-placed to discuss the impact of aerospace innovation on combating criminal non-state actors – including cartels, syndicates, warlords, and gangs – as well as the potential for new technology to fall into the wrong hands. Omer also recently co-authored a white paper entitled The Ongoing Evolution of eVTOLs. We discuss the paper, the impact on law enforcement, new propulsion systems and much more besides.  Support the show

After a short hiatus the podcast is back. In our latest episode we are joined by James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation. The Long Beach-based startup is developing a long range hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft built for multiple use cases including passenger travel, logistics and defence. From a first sub-scale test flight in summer 2021, Odys has now run tests on its in-house built 1MW generator and signed a landmark deal with the country of Oman, combining commercial operators, US and Omani defence forces, regulators and infrastructure in a full-scale national testbed for its platform.James himself began his career at MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center before working for companies including Google X, Virgin Hyperloop and Arrivo. We discuss the aircraft, flap-based thrust vectoring, why regional air mobility makes sense, hybrid-electric propulsion, upcoming developments and much more besides. Support the show

In our latest episode we are joined by Mark Groden, CEO and founder of Skyryse, to talk automation in aerospace and the pioneering work he and his team have undertaken to achieve this. As the title describes, Skyryse has managed to condense a room's worth of flight automation technology found in large commercial aircraft to the size of decent-sized toaster. Something many said could not be done when Groden began his mission. Our conversation touches on the foundations of Skyryse, the moral mission the company is undertaking for pilots globally, the technology itself, the aircraft set to first leverage the SkyOS flight system and much more besides.  Support the show

In our latest episode we are joined by Megha Bhatia, chief commercial officer at Eve Air Mobility. A spinoff of Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, Eve is primarily developing a piloted battery-electric eVTOL capable of carrying four passengers and their luggage over a range of about 100km. Having assembled its first full-scale eVTOL prototype in autumn 2024, the company is working through a series of test campaigns to assess the aircraft. Joining around the same time as the first prototype was completed, Megha arrived at Eve from her role as chief strategy officer at JSSI. Before that she held a series of leadership roles at Rolls-Royce over a span of more than a decade, culminating in vice president of Sales & Marketing for Business Aviation.Our conversation touches on Eve's aircraft, company vision, day one operations, relationship with Embraer, benefits of being Brazilian, progress with Brazilian aviation regulator ANAC, plus much more besides.  Support the show

In this episode we are joined by Bobby Healy, CEO and founder of Irish drone delivery company Manna Air Delivery. Founded in 2018, the company operates a fleet of drones that fly pre-programmed routes beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). In 2021, Manna launched a commercial service delivering groceries, meals, and pharmaceuticals in Oranmore, Ireland. Since then, it has expanded operations in Ireland and further afield. It has also agreed partnerships with giants like Deliveroo, Coca-Cola and DoorDash.The company now delivers thousands of meals per day to customers in Ireland, according to Healy. The conversation touches on the company's vision for drone delivery, progress up to now, dealing with opposition, regulatory challenges, the benefits of being Irish, plus much more besides.  Support the show

In this episode we are joined by Paul Touw and Scott Drennan from Otto Aerospace, the company vying to be the latest entrant to the super midsize segment of business aviation. The firm, which has plans to build a production facility in Jacksonville, Florida, makes use of laminar flow technology to dramatically increase efficiency and sustainability versus competitors. The aircraft which Otto has called the Phantom 3500, is pencilled in for a maiden flight in 2027. The company is targeting certification with the FAA and entry into service in late 2030.The conversation touches on the laminar flow technology and its benefits, company philosophy, previous projects, a windowless cabin with "supernatural vision", vertical integration (or lack thereof) and much more besides.  Support the show

In our latest episode we are discussing one of AAM’s most critical ingredients, but also one of its biggest limiting factors. Batteries.Joining us to do so are the co-founders of London-based battery simulation modelling specialist About:Energy, Dr. Gavin White and Dr. Kieran O’Regan. The pair founded the company in response to a need to better understand the digital aspect of batteries. How do you predict battery performance on a computer rather than completing physical tests? The company aims to answer this question through the use of simulation models that reduce the reliance on physical research and, in turn, cut down the development time to get new battery products to market. The conversation touches on About:Energy's growth, battery chemistries, cell selection for various use cases, the wider battery market and impacts of geopolitics. Plus much more.  Support the show