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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

In this episode we are joined by David Smith, CEO of California-based Robinson Helicopter Company. 

David took up his post in early 2024 having spent 18 years at Textron, which incorporated 13 years at Bell in various roles. 

Since joining Robinson he has made innovation a key focus for the company. Key highlights include announcing the all-new R88, the acquisition of Ascent Aerosystems and – revealed since the recording of this podcast – a joint project with MagniX to electrify an R66. 

An outspoken commentator on the AAM industry, the conversation touches on eVTOLs,  the potential of Ascent and the strategy for Robinson, as well as the need to grow the domestic supply chain in the US. Plus much more. 

In this episode we are joined by Addison Ferrell, director of infrastructure at Skyports Infrastructure, to talk all things vertiports.

A graduate of Harvard Business School, Addison joined Skyports in 2021 after about five years at McKinsey. Before that he was at GE Aviation in various roles, including as a composite design engineer. 

We discuss the work Skyports has been doing globally, including the recent completion of its first vertiport in the UK and the ongoing buildout of infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates. 

We also touch on the importance of the surrounding ecosystem to day one operations, as well as future growth and Skyports' place within it. Plus much more. 

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.

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.