NASA’s RAVEN aircraft is helping researchers explore one of aviation’s biggest next steps: electric vertical takeoff and landing.

NASA’s RAVEN aircraft is helping researchers explore one of aviation’s biggest next steps: electric vertical takeoff and landing.

In this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with NASA researchers Siena Whiteside and Jason Welstead about RAVEN, the Research Aircraft for eVTOL Enabling Technologies. From air taxis and regional mobility to noise, safety, hover-to-forward-flight transitions, and the challenge of scaling new aircraft designs, Sienna and Jason explain how NASA is building a flying laboratory for the future of advanced air mobility. This one is going to be cool!

🎧 What you’ll hear:

• How eVTOL aircraft work: What electric vertical takeoff and landing means, and how these aircraft differ from helicopters and airplanes
• What advanced air mobility means: How drones, air taxis, and regional aircraft fit into the future of transportation
• Meet NASA’s RAVEN: Why NASA is building a remotely operated research aircraft to study eVTOL technology
• Air taxi vs. flying car: Why eVTOLs are more likely to connect transportation hubs than replace your car
• The safety challenge: Why public trust and certification are essential before eVTOLs become common
• Noise and community impact: How researchers are studying aircraft sound, not just loudness
• Hover to forward flight: Why the transition from vertical lift to wing-borne flight is one of the hardest problems to solve
• Why size matters: How RAVEN bridges the gap between small models and full-scale passenger aircraft
• Open eVTOL research: How NASA hopes to share data with universities, startups, and industry partners
• Advice for future aerospace engineers: Why broad experience and curiosity matter in a fast-changing field

Learn More:

• Read the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website
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This episode is supported in part by United Airlines.