Ready or Not, Electric Airplanes Are About to Take Off

Good morning! Two weeks ago, I wrote that I recently put down a deposit on a Bearhawk Five — an experimental backcountry machine that can double as a family hauler. Taking my kids flying in the future is a big part of why I’m all-in on aviation. This video is a reminder of just how magical flight can be for youngsters ✈

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-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• Electric Aircraft: Turning Sci-Fi Dreams Into Quiet Realities

• Around the Skies: Taking space tourism to the extreme, Massive water-bomber’s final flight, Embraer’s aeronautical engineering program now open, Return to China? Airlines would rather not, thanks

• PilotTube: Seaplane Flying: Because Runways Are Overrated

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

Electric Airplanes Are Here to Stay

The future of aviation is looking electric, literally. With companies like Joby, Lilium and United Airlines throwing their weight behind electric planes and eVTOLs (those fancy vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), the industry is buzzing with excitement about reducing carbon emissions and quieting down our skies. These sleek machines promise a greener, quieter and more efficient way to get around, especially for shorter trips. Imagine zipping over traffic in a flying car that doesn’t guzzle gas or leave you clutching noise-canceling headphones. It sounds like a scene straight out of sci-fi, but it's closer to reality than you might think.

Of course, battery technology still needs to catch up. Right now, electric planes aren’t exactly ready for a coast-to-coast marathon — they’re more like sprinters handling short commuter routes. But with tech advancements rolling in, the dream of quiet, clean flights is becoming more realistic. Major airlines are eyeing these developments seriously, investing in projects that could eventually get us all flying sustainably, whether it’s for that quick business trip or a jaunt across town. While it might take a little longer before your Uber goes airborne, it’s clear that electric aviation is shaping up to change how we think about travel in a way that feels fresh and exciting (and maybe just a bit futuristic).

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AROUND THE SKIES

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, headed by billionaire Jared Isaacman, is taking space tourism to the extreme by attempting the first-ever spacewalk from a private spacecraft. Who needs a beach vacation when you can float around in the void of space? It’s not just about breaking records though; they’re also testing tech and tackling space travel challenges to get us ready for future trips to the Moon, Mars and maybe even beyond… 😳

The Hawaii Mars, one of the last two Martin Mars water-bombers in the world, made its final flight on August 11th, before retiring to the BC Aviation Museum. Thousands gathered to witness the iconic plane's last journey, which included a flyover with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds before landing at Patricia Bay. After serving as a key firefighting aircraft for over 50 years, the Hawaii Mars will now be on display for the public to explore, with its grand opening scheduled for September 28th.

Embraer is celebrating its 55th anniversary by continuing to pump out aerospace engineers like they’re going out of style, with their aeronautical engineering program now open for its 33rd round. With a 96% recruitment rate, it's basically like Hogwarts for engineers (if Hogwarts also had a really strong focus on aircraft production).

Western airlines were once thrilled to return to China post-Covid, but not anymore. Thanks to a slumping economy, sky-high costs from avoiding Russian airspace and some tricky geopolitics, those once-bustling routes to China are looking far less appealing.

PilotTube

Landing on water — the ultimate aviator flex 💪🏼

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