The eVTOL Insights Podcast

In this episode of the eVTOL Insights Podcast, Jason Pritchard speaks with Melissa Rank, Aviation Market Leader and Programme Director at SAM, about the foundations needed to support advanced air mobility.

Drawing on her experience in geospatial technology and aviation, Melissa explains why closer collaboration with critical infrastructure owners is essential as drone operations expand into low-altitude airspace. She discusses her engagement with the rail industry and highlights the distinction between organisations operating drones themselves and preparing for third-party flights around their assets.

The conversation explores how accurate mapping, current data and shared operational awareness can support safer integration, alongside the risks of developing aviation rules without sufficient engagement beyond the sector.

Melissa also considers emerging applications, from disaster response to connecting remote communities, and shares a clear message: scaling AAM requires strong infrastructure, public trust and early dialogue with the industries and communities that will share its operating environment.

In this episode of the eVTOL Insights Podcast, we speak with Ted Angel, Executive Director of the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE), ahead of the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum in Springfield, Ohio, on October 15.

Ted explains how the forum has evolved to address the challenges of moving from aircraft demonstrations to production and everyday operations. We explore its interactive workshops, covering infrastructure, digital systems and community engagement, alongside discussions on the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, defence applications and workforce development.

He also shares updates from NAAMCE, including Electra’s planned manufacturing presence and how the facility helps companies build, test and fly in one location.

The conversation concludes with a look at the accompanying STEM Day and Great American Electric Air Race, highlighting why inspiring future talent and building public trust are essential to the next chapter of Advanced Air Mobility in Ohio.

What can drones teach us about the future of Advanced Air Mobility?

In this episode of the Women in AAM Podcast, Miriam McNabb joins chairperson Marilyn Pearson to explore the opportunities, challenges and practical benefits shaping aviation’s next chapter.

From inspecting hazardous infrastructure to delivering lifesaving medical supplies, Miriam explains why the industry’s value extends far beyond takeaway deliveries. The conversation examines the complexities of building resilient US supply chains, including battery components, rare earth materials and manufacturing expertise.

Miriam also shares her optimism about regulatory progress, highlighting how flight trials and operational data can support safe integration. Together, they discuss the complementary roles of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, alongside the information sharing needed to accommodate increasingly diverse airspace users.

Offering a grounded perspective on an evolving sector, this episode explores why progress takes time—and why drones and AAM deserve greater recognition for the everyday benefits they can ultimately deliver.

What will it take to power the next generation of aviation?

In this episode, Jason Pritchard speaks with Jerome Tourdiat of Schneider Electric about the energy infrastructure needed to turn Advanced Air Mobility ambitions into scalable commercial operations.

Drawing on the company’s experience supporting airports and critical infrastructure, Jerome explores why vertiports must become intelligent energy hubs. He discusses how microgrids, battery storage and smart charging can help manage peak demand, strengthen resilience and control costs.

The conversation also examines the role of data and digital technologies in coordinating operations, alongside the importance of designing infrastructure that can grow with demand.

With grid connections, permitting and competition for electricity potentially creating bottlenecks, Jerome explains why energy planning needs to start early.

Listen to discover why the foundations of electric flight extend beyond the aircraft, and how closer collaboration could help unlock the industry’s commercial potential.

In this episode, host Jason Pritchard speaks with Doug Washburn, Vice President of Engineering and Flight Safety at Hartzell Propeller.

Doug highlights how Hartzell’s century of aviation heritage—specifically its certification expertise and high-volume production capacity—supports the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and eVTOL sectors. The conversation focuses on complex engineering challenges, such as transition loading, extreme weight sensitivity, and noise reduction.

Doug notes that minimizing noise relies heavily on larger propeller diameters rotating at slower tip speeds, alongside advanced blade geometries. He emphasizes the critical need for early collaboration between propeller manufacturers, electric motor developers, and aircraft OEMs to optimize overall system efficiency and packaging.

Doug also discusses regulatory progress, digital engineering, and Hartzell's work with partners like Beta Technologies. He identifies infrastructure, airspace management, and public acceptance as key hurdles for the industry over the next five years.

In this episode, Jason Pritchard is joined by Mohamed Ben Tahar, Director for Automotive and IoT at Trimble, to explore the technology and infrastructure needed to make Advanced Air Mobility commercially viable.

Mohamed explains why precise and reliable positioning will be critical as the industry moves from demonstration flights towards scaled autonomous operations. He discusses Trimble’s work in GNSS, sensor fusion and space-delivered infrastructure, as well as the challenges posed by vertical positioning, connectivity and 5G coverage.

The conversation also explores lessons from automotive, construction and mining, the importance of data interoperability, digital twins and real-time mapping, and how AI could transform air traffic management. Mohamed highlights emerging opportunities in North America and Canada, before looking ahead to routine autonomous cargo and medical flights.

He concludes by sharing his vision for AAM to connect rural communities and satellite hospitals through zero-emission, three-dimensional flight networks.

In this episode, eVTOL Insights' Jason Pritchard is joined by Glenn to explore the increasingly critical role of wiring and electrical architecture in Advanced Air Mobility.

Glenn discusses how the industry has moved beyond prototype development towards certification, repeatable production and long-term reliability, highlighting the challenges associated with high-voltage systems, partial discharge, EMI, thermal management and fault containment.

He explains why electrical architecture must be considered from the earliest stages of aircraft development and examines the manufacturing and supply chain challenges that emerge as programmes transition towards production.

The conversation also explores lessons AAM can take from commercial and defence aviation, recent progress towards certification, and emerging technologies including intelligent power distribution, embedded diagnostics and actively cooled conductors.

Glenn also shares his vision for what the industry could achieve by 2031 and the role suppliers such as WireMasters can play in supporting reliable, certifiable aircraft at fleet scale.

The latest episode of the eVTOL Insights Podcast welcomes Craig Foster, Co-founder and Senior Research Consultant at Valor Consultancy, to discuss the commercial realities shaping the future of Advanced Air Mobility.

Drawing on Valor's latest research into both the electric air taxi and commercial drone markets, Foster explores why the industry is entering a new phase where commercial viability is becoming just as important as technological innovation.

Throughout the conversation, Foster examines the assumptions that fuelled the sector's early growth, including expectations around battery technology, operating costs and certification timelines. He explains why metrics such as Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM) are critical to understanding whether passenger eVTOL services can become profitable, while highlighting the challenges posed by battery replacement costs, infrastructure investment, landing fees and pilot availability.

The discussion also looks beyond passenger aircraft, identifying defence, cargo operations and regional air mobility as potentially stronger near-term business opportunities. Foster argues that the commercial drone industry provides valuable lessons for AAM by demonstrating that long-term success depends on solving real operational problems rather than simply introducing new technology.

In this episode, Jason is joined by Jennifer Trock, trusted advisor at Morgan Lewis, to explore the legal, regulatory and commercial realities shaping one of aviation's most exciting emerging sectors.

As the industry moves closer to commercial operations, Jennifer explains why certification is only the beginning. The conversation examines the importance of regulatory harmonisation, vertiport infrastructure, public trust and airspace integration, while also discussing how AI, autonomy and evolving policy frameworks will influence the pace of adoption.

Drawing on her experience advising aerospace, aviation and transportation clients around the world, Jennifer also shares why adaptability will be one of the defining characteristics of successful AAM companies, and how shifting geopolitical and regulatory environments are already influencing where commercial opportunities emerge.

With the next 12 to 36 months expected to be pivotal for the sector, this episode offers valuable insights into the milestones, challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

In this episode, Paulo discuss the engineering realities of bringing advanced air mobility from flight testing to commercial operations.

He argues that certification remains the industry's defining milestone, with successful flight test campaigns providing regulators the confidence needed to approve new aircraft. Paolo explains how startups must build industrialisation, supply chains, airworthiness capabilities and long-term support structures alongside aircraft development, rather than after certification.

He also highlights the growing role of digital engineering, digital twins and AI-driven modelling in reducing development time while maintaining the rigorous safety standards expected in aerospace. Drawing on Explio's experience supporting several leading eVTOL manufacturers, he outlines how combining traditional aerospace expertise with emerging technologies can accelerate development without compromising certification.