Composites Use in Advanced Air Mobility
Urban air mobility (UAM), sometimes referred to as advanced air mobility (AAM), is a market that continues to evolve and mature. Aircraft of this genre are designed to perform one of two functions. One is to provide piloted or autonomous air taxi service, transporting people from point A to point B (heliport/airport-to-heliport/airport) over a distance of 25-400 kilometers, intracity or intercity. The second function is to provide autonomous cargo transport in similar environments.
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What you might have missed at Paris Air Show 2025
A surge in defense spending, partnerships in hydrogen propulsion and new combat aircraft agreements, many backed by composites industry leaders, culminated the 55th Paris Air Show.
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Archer raises $850 million, accelerates U.S. eVTOL rollout
The additional funds further support Archer’s liquidity position of approximately $2 billion in anticipation of Midnight’s commercialization.
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Archer pilots Midnight, advances to next phase of flight testing
Flight operations tested the composites-intensive aircraft’s VTOL and CTOL capabilities, important for its civil and defense operations.
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AMSL Aero makes H2 testing milestones for hybrid Vertiia eVTOL
Bankstown and Wellington fuel cell work has helped to verify Vertiia’s powertrain while also feeding electricity into the airport grid, bringing the composites-intensive Australian aircraft closer to flight.
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Vertical performs piloted VX4 eVTOL flight in open airspace
Successful wingborne flight following approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) completes Phase 3 of Vertical’s path toward certification and commercial operation.
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Flyber launches U.K. composites manufacturing site for advanced mobility applications
The startup’s design automation and composite material layup and curing technologies target lightweighting for aerospace, UAVs, eVTOL and high-performance mobility platforms.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
Explore the cutting-edge composites industry, as experts delve into the materials, tooling, and manufacturing hurdles of meeting the demands of the promising advanced air mobility (AAM) market. Join us at CW Tech Days to unlock the future of efficient composites fabrication operations.
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During CW Tech Days: Thermoplastics for Large Structures, experts explored the materials and processing technologies that are enabling the transition to large-part manufacturing.
LEARN MORELatest Advanced Air Mobility News And Updates
Archer to provide Midnight eVTOL for 2028 Olympics, Paralympics
Archer seeks to integrate air taxi support across LA through transporting LA28’s VIPs, fans and stakeholders to key venues.
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Joby flies two eVTOL aircraft simultaneously in testing milestone
The latest in the company’s flight testing program targets certification testing acceleration and support of its passenger-carrying goals by 2026.
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Archer unveils vision for NYC eVTOL network and routes
Archer looks to enable passengers to travel from Manhattan to nearby airports in just 5-15 minutes via the Midnight eVTOL platform.
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Stratview Research launches 2025 report on eVTOL dynamics
An update to the 2022 report features an in-depth analysis of 1,000-plus eVTOL aircraft programs worldwide with expert insight spanning eVTOL manufacturers, composite part producers and material suppliers.
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EHang EH216-S eVTOL operators obtain air operator certificates
Equipped with a full suite of certifications from the CAAC, EHang prepares the launch of low-altitude, pilotless, human-carrying aerial vehicles available to regions across China.
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Insight Partner market report says eVTOL aircraft market size will skyrocket by 2028
Analysis for eVTOL market breaks down market segments, key players and the overall competitive landscape expected for 2024-2028.
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Featured Posts
Composites end markets: Aviation and advanced air mobility (2025)
Despite persistent supply chain issues, markets were set for healthy growth before Trump policies and tariffs, yet long-term trends favor composites in new platforms. Meanwhile, advanced air mobility shakes out and moves forward.
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Aerospace prepregs with braided reinforcement demonstrate improved production rates, cost
A recent time study compares the layup of a wing spar using prepreg with A&P’s TX-45 continuous braided reinforcement versus traditional twill woven prepreg.
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JEC World 2025 highlights: Trends in aerospace, new space and defense
CW editor-in-chief Scott Francis discusses trends in aerospace on display at JEC World — as the composites industry awaits a new single aisle aircraft program, the industry puts continued focus on new space, defense, UAM.
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Composites reinvent aerospace, AAM and space
Celebrating National Composites Week, CW shares ways in which composites continue to make a significant impact in aerospace and space market developments.
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Paris Air Show 2023 highlights
The Paris Air Show, one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world, returned for the first time since 2019 and proved that the global aviation industry industry is very much alive and kicking.
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How composites have become a necessity
Composites used to be one of many material options across industries and applications, but that's not the case anymore.
Read MoreFAQ: Advanced Air Mobility
What is urban air mobility?
- Urban air mobility (UAM), sometimes called advanced air mobility (AAM), is an emerging aerospace market. These aircraft can be piloted or autonomous, designed for cargo transport or as air taxis for transporting people intercity or intracity.
- Source: Composites end markets: Aerospace
What is an eVTOL?
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are some of the first models to be developed for the urban air mobility market.
They are powered by electric propulsion (generally batteries), and are designed to take off and land vertically. These can include propeller-centric, helicopter-style aircraft as well as fixed-wing aircraft.
How are composites being used in urban air mobility?
UAM aircraft are in various stages of development. Most, if not all, are using composites to some extent for aircraft bodies, wings or other components. The focus has been on technologies that are already qualified for commercial aircraft use – such as hand layup and autoclave cure of prepreg carbon fiber/epoxy.
As progress continues, additional composite materials such as thermoplastic composites will likely become more widely used.