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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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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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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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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Diamond Aircraft acquires Volocopter after insolvency
Integration will maintain Volocopter’s headquarters in Germany, with its development and certification work continuing under Diamond’s ownership.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
CW’s editors are tracking the latest trends and developments in tooling, from the basics to new developments. This collection, presented by Composites One, features four recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.
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The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
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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.
LEARN MORELatest Advanced Air Mobility News And Updates
Beta completes eVTOL flight demonstrations across Utah
Beta, 47G and UDOT hosted flight demonstrations throughout communities in the state to showcase Alia’s capabilities and highlight AAM’s advantages.
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Second Beta eCTOL to join Norway international aircraft test arena
The U.S. aircraft will be headed to Europe later in 2025 to, among other things, participate in Bristow, Avinor and the CAA’s plans that will set the foundation for scaling zero- and low-emission aviation.
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EHang and partners to build eVTOL manufacturing base in China
EHang, JAC Motors and Guoxian Holdings will conduct joint research on the automation of aircraft production technologies and build a manufacturing base, all to accelerate low-altitude aviation commercialization.
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NIAR innovates overmolded TPC production process for eVTOLs
Fully automated hybrid thermoforming and injection overmolding process was executed to produce complex thermoplastic composite rib structure in 2 minutes versus 100-hour metal counterpart.
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Archer raises $300 million for hybrid defense aircraft platform
Since the launch of Archer Defense, the eVTOL company looks to develop its capabilities in composites and batteries, as well as ongoing commercialization of its Midnight platform.
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Pipistrel announces first flight success with Nuuva V300
Flexible logistic capabilities and runway independence will be further tested and demonstrated through the composite unmanned VTOL’s 2025 flight program.
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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.
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Plant tour: Joby Aviation, Marina, Calif., U.S.
As the advanced air mobility market begins to take shape, market leader Joby Aviation works to industrialize composites manufacturing for its first-generation, composites-intensive, all-electric air taxi.
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Composites opportunities in eVTOLs
As eVTOL OEMs seek to advance program certification, production scale-up and lightweighting, AAM’s penetration into the composites market is moving on an upward trajectory.
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Composites end markets: Aerospace (2023)
With COVID in the past and passengers flying again, commercial aircraft production is ramping up. The aerocomposites supply chain is busy developing new M&P for an approaching next-generation aircraft program.
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.