In this episode, Dr. Di Pietro—an aerospace engineer and innovator with nearly two decades of global experience—shares how his early fascination with flight and a career spanning defense, automotive, and autonomous vehicle technologies led him to the forefront of advanced air mobility.

He discusses AMSL Aero’s mission to build Vertia, a hydrogen-electric tilt-wing eVTOL designed to connect Australia’s far-flung regions while dramatically cutting aviation emissions. Unlike most eVTOL developers focused on urban air taxis, AMSL’s emphasis is on long-range, zero-emission regional flight—addressing Australia’s unique geography and the essential role aviation plays in delivering healthcare, freight, and connectivity to remote areas.

The conversation explores how hydrogen power unlocks range and efficiency, AMSL’s roadmap toward type certification and a 2030 commercial launch, and the company’s collaboration with international partners and the Australian government to develop the hydrogen ecosystem.

In this episode, Igor introduces the Los Angeles-based manufacturer behind the world’s first rigid electric variable-buoyancy airship (EVBA).

With more than two decades of development and FAA certification experience, Aeros is now pushing toward commercial deployment of a logistics platform that can pick up and deliver cargo anywhere, without the need for roads, ports, runways, or other fixed infrastructure.

Igor shares the origins of Aeros’ mission to “save the world” by reimagining global logistics and explains how the company’s patented buoyancy-control system solves the century-old problem that prevented airships from becoming practical cargo solutions.

He walks listeners through the engineering breakthroughs behind variable buoyancy, hybrid-electric propulsion, and the lightweight pressure-vessel structures that make the airships commercially viable.

The discussion also explores how Aeros plans to transform the last-mile, middle-mile, and first-mile logistics ecosystem through three vehicle classes, ranging from a 10-ton urban airship supporting drone-based deliveries to a 244-ton intercontinental heavy-lift platform.

Igor also outlines upcoming R&D milestones, including urban demonstrations in Los Angeles, and explains how the company is preparing its next-generation airships for FAA certification from day one.

In this episode, we sit down with Durojaiye Phillips, a patent inventor, product strategist, and one of Africa’s leading voices for Advanced Air Mobility.

Durojaiye is the founder and CEO of Titan Air Mobility, a company with a bold vision; to build what he calls 'railways in the sky.'

From building his first RC airplane at just eight years old to developing hybrid jet engines in his teens, Durojaiye’s mission is to bridge Africa’s transport and logistics gaps using electric and eVTOL aircraft.

In the conversation, he explains how Titan Air Mobility is tackling some of Africa’s biggest challenges — from poor road infrastructure to limited rural connectivity — by developing cargo-first aircraft that can carry up to 300 kilograms across 300 kilometers.

He also talks about designing modular cargo pods that make it easier to move goods seamlessly from air to ground transport.

Durojaiye adds his perspective on Africa’s readiness for innovation. Unlike many Western countries still navigating complex regulations, he says African regulators are open and eager to collaborate, making the continent one of the most promising testbeds for advanced air mobility.

In this episode, Dr. Satya shares the company’s mission to transform urban mobility through one of the world’s most compact eVTOL aircraft, designed to ease congestion and reduce emissions in densely populated cities.

The ePlane Company is the first private Indian firm to receive Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the DGCA for an electric aircraft — a key milestone toward certification and commercialization.

The discussion explores the company’s lift-plus-cruise configuration, chosen for safety, redundancy, and certification efficiency over tilt-rotor designs. Satya details progress on the first full-scale prototype, expected to begin flight testing in late 2025, with certification targeted for mid-2027.

The roadmap includes air ambulance, air taxi, and cargo variants, with operations planned to start in India before expanding internationally.

Chakravarthy also highlights India’s proactive regulatory environment, including close collaboration with the DGCA and alignment with EASA standards. He notes strong public enthusiasm for eVTOLs, citing surveys showing over 75 per cent of Indian respondents support the concept of urban air mobility.

In the inaugural episode of Women in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Chairperson Marilyn Pearson speaks with Stella Filippatos about CAE's journey toward electrifying pilot training aircraft and the broader implications for sustainable aviation.

Stella recounts her path from electrical engineering into aerospace, with experience at Bombardier and CAE, where she now leads CAE’s electric aircraft conversion program. The initiative, announced in 2022, focuses on converting Piper Archer trainers to electric propulsion—an effort driven by CAE’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral, achieved in 2020 through offsets.

Philippatos explains that while electric aircraft currently have limited range, they’re ideal for early pilot training—short “A-to-A” flights involving circuits, touch-and-goes, and familiarization exercises. This not only reduces emissions and noise but also helps prepare pilots for eVTOL and AAM operations, where understanding electric energy systems will be key.

In this episode, Dr. Maris shares a wealth of insight drawn from decades of experience in aircraft certification, flight testing, and aerospace innovation.

The conversation explores how 3C helps emerging aerospace companies navigate the complexities of certification — from developing early-stage roadmaps to guiding OEMs through compliance and testing.

Dr. Maris explains why certification isn’t an end-of-project task but a continuous process, comparing it to the long and rigorous testing cycles of new pharmaceuticals.

He also highlights the unique technical and regulatory hurdles facing eVTOL developers, such as the limitations of current battery technology, the evolving frameworks from EASA and the FAA, and the critical role of human factors and simulation in ensuring safety.

Looking to the future, Dr. Maris predicts that eVTOL certification will become more structured and harmonized globally, with growing collaboration between regulators and innovators. He believes Canada is well positioned to play a leading role in this emerging ecosystem — particularly for regional and first responder applications.

Closing the episode, Dr. Maris emphasizes the importance of clear, factual reporting to educate the wider public, regulators, and industry stakeholders about this “sea change” moment in aviation.

In this episode, we speak with Adam Zeyn, Business Development lead for the 2025 Dubai Airshow. Adam shares how the event has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s premier platforms for advanced air mobility, drones, and eVTOL technologies, and why this year promises to be the most ambitious yet.

Hear how Dubai has positioned itself as a global leader in electric aviation, from regulatory breakthroughs and pioneering infrastructure to high-profile partnerships with industry leaders like Joby, Archer and Skyports. Adam also reveals the show’s expanded AAM Pavilion, immersive demonstrations, sustainability initiatives and networking opportunities designed to connect innovators, investors and policymakers on a global stage.

With themes like “The Future is Here”, Dubai Airshow 2025 will spotlight cutting-edge developments in urban air mobility, sustainable aviation, commercial space, and next-gen workforce development. From spectacular flying displays and drone shows to exclusive networking events and live entertainment, it’s an unmissable event shaping the future of flight.

Discover why Dubai is at the forefront of aviation innovation and why Adam describes the 2025 Airshow in three words: “Transformative, Unmissable, Fire.”

In this episode, Jakob shares his journey from working in logistics and warehouse automation to founding Grasshopper Air Mobility in 2023, driven by a vision for sustainable, autonomous aerial mobility.

Initially inspired by flying cars for commuters, he and his team pivoted to cargo operations after recognizing the steep certification costs and barriers facing passenger eVTOLs.

Jakob reflects on key industry lessons and the company's strategy to leverage off-the-shelf, certified components rather than developing everything in-house. The company is firmly committed to sustainability, with a focus on electric and hybrid-hydrogen propulsion and ultra-quiet ducted fan technology.

Looking ahead, Grasshopper is targeting certification between 2030–2031, with scaled prototypes beginning as early as 2026. Jakob also discusses the challenges of regulation, infrastructure integration, funding, and the importance of public acceptance for advanced air mobility to succeed globally.

In this episode, Adam shares exclusive updates on REGENT’s exciting development roadmap, including the progress of their full-scale prototype and the path towards commercial operations in 2027. He explains how Seagliders combine the speed of aircraft with the accessibility of maritime vessels, operating from existing dock infrastructure and offering passengers affordable, sustainable coastal transport.

Listeners will hear how REGENT is:

- Expanding its $10 billion order backlog with airlines, ferry operators, and energy companies.

- Building strong ecosystem partnerships with regulators, infrastructure providers, and community leaders worldwide.

- Unlocking new opportunities in key markets such as Hawaii, South Florida, the U.S. Northeast, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

- Differentiating Seagliders from traditional eVTOL aircraft with lower operating costs, greater passenger capacity, and synergies for multimodal transport at ports.

Adam also dives into the importance of regulatory engagement with the U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd’s Register, REGENT’s customer training programs, and how Seagliders could transform daily life by improving access to jobs, healthcare, and housing in coastal communities.

In this episode, Dr. Yuanyuan “Martin” Ding, shares his journey from working at leading aerospace companies to launching his own startup focused on developing an Autonomous Flight System (AFS) designed to boost safety, efficiency, and scalability in the low-altitude economy.

The conversation discusses how Albatross.ai is tackling challenges around AI integration, sensor fusion, and real-time decision-making, as well as its collaborations with OEMs, operators, and regulators. Martin also reflects on the regulatory landscape in China, the global path toward aviation autonomy, and the opportunities AI can unlock for Advanced Air Mobility.

Hear Martin’s entrepreneurial insights, the milestones Albatross.ai is targeting and his vision for how autonomy could reshape everyday transport in the next decade.