The Revolution.Aero Town Hall: Recent Episodes
Revolution.Aero
Regular aviation chat show, discussing the future of flight. Featuring industry leaders from around the world who are shaping the future of flight , this show covers all areas of the Fourth Aviation Revolution. From the start-ups to existing aviation giants, investors and the regulators. Tech experts swap ideas with aviation veterans. Hosted by Alasdair Whyte and brought to you by the team at Revolution.Aero.Connect with us at www.revolution.aero
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.
In this episode we welcome on Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer of Vertical Aerospace.
Cervenka joined Bristol-based eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical in the summer of 2019 and has played a key role in the company’s development since then.
Vertical is developing an electric VTOL-capable aircraft capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers at a cruise speed of 150mph for up to 100 miles. The programme has recently achieved some significant flight test milestones including piloted wing-borne flight and is close to hitting the eVTOL 'Holy Grail' of piloted transition flight.
Before joining Vertical, Michael spent two decades at Rolls-Royce in multiple roles including chief functional engineer for Civil Large Fleet Engines and head of Future Business Propositions.
In this episode we welcome co-founder and CEO Eloa Guillotin and chief engineer Luiz Oliveira from Beyond Aero.
Beyond is a Toulouse, France-based aircraft developer building the BYA-1 — a hydrogen-electric business aircraft targeted at sustainable business aviation with routes like Paris–Nice and Paris–Geneva.
Guillotin and Oliveira share how the story behind the company's founding during the pandemic, why hydrogen fuel cells are key to decarbonising flight and how a modular architecture using off-the-shelf components eases certification under EASA's CS23 standards.
They also emphasise how designing the aircraft from scratch enables efficiency, safety and performance. And much more besides.
In this episode Eric Allison, head of product at Joby Aviation brings us up to speed with where the California-based eVTOL developer is at today.
He discusses partnerships with airlines and cities including Virgin Airlines and Dubai. Allison emphasises the importance of sustainability, cost-effectiveness and public acceptance to scaling operations.
Additionally, he touches on timelines for commercial operations, potential use cases beyond urban air mobility and the evolving competitive landscape.
Challenges such as battery technology, certification hurdles and airspace management amongst other topics also come up in conversation.
In this episode we have none other than Gregory Davis, President of Raisbeck Engineering.
A licensed commercial pilot and accomplished engineer, Davis has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles within aviation.
His current post at Seattle-based Raisbeck is with a company that specialises in providing aerodynamically designed enhancements to aircraft – working with OEMs such as Boeing and Bombardier.
But as well as engineering incremental improvement, something aviation has become accustomed to, Davis has also immersed himself in the other end of the spectrum, namely the electric aircraft startup world, formerly heading up Eviation.
In this episode we welcome Mark Moore, founder and CEO of Whisper Aero.
A renowned figure in the world of advanced air mobility, Moore is someone who has been there throughout it all. After working at NASA for three decades he then moved on to Uber, before heading up his own company developing ultra quiet electric thrusters at multiple scales.
Some argue Moore is a controversial contributor to the advanced air mobility conversation, others will tell you his input is invaluable.
We discuss why Moore believes it important to remain in dialogue and the responsibility he feels toward ensuring the continued growth of electric aviation as a whole. We also touch on the motivations behind founding Whisper Aero and where he sees the industry evolving in the future. Plus much more.
In our latest episode we are joined by Dr Mohamed Attia, co-founder and CEO of NEX Aero, to discuss the Berlin-based company's work in developing hybrid-electric hydrogen fuel cell-powered VTOL drones for long-range cargo delivery.
An aeronautical engineer, formerly of Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Attia believes his background shaped his approach to innovation in aviation.
NEX Aero focuses on addressing logistical challenges in remote regions by providing cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to helicopters. Attia emphasises the importance of market-driven design to ensure aircraft offer economic advantages over what exists today.
We also cover why Attia believes hydrogen is better than batteries for long-range aviation, despite infrastructure challenges.
In this episode we welcome Embraer-X president and CEO Daniel Moczydlower to the podcast.
A chemical engineer from Brazil, prior to Embraer Moczydlower was CEO of Chemtech, a Siemens company, overseeing the transition from startup to multinational corporate.
He has spent 12 years with Embraer, the past four at the helm of Embraer's disruptive innovation subsidiary which is responsible for the launch of eVTOL developer Eve Air Mobility.
The conversation takes a journey through Moczydlower's career and how his experiences have allowed him to bridge the gap between the white hot innovation of startups and legacy corporates. As well as his view of the AAM market today and Eve's place within it.
Happy new year and welcome back to the Revolution.Aero Podcast. For our first episode of 2025, we are joined by an expert in forecasting advanced air mobility.
A principal at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, Jay Carmel has more than fifteen years of experience providing strategy development and M&A advisory services. Today he primarily covers aircraft OEM equipment suppliers, aftermarket service companies, start-ups and investors who are active in the commercial aerospace industry with a focus on disruptive innovation.
In this episode we welcome Dan Dalton, head of Global Partnerships at autonomous eVTOL developer Wisk.
The Boeing-owned company is arguably leading the charge across efforts to introduce autonomous commercial airborne passenger services globally with a particular focus currently on initial launch markets in the US and Australia.
We discuss why Wisk decided to take the approach it has, the risks involved and recent achievements at the company.
In this episode of the Revolution.Aero Podcast we are joined by Jamie Bullen, a senior consultant from Montfort Communications based in London.
An experienced financial journalist and editor within the property, finance and aviation press, with former employers including Euromoney and Flight Global, Jamie is perfectly placed to give behind-the-scenes insight into what makes a startup do and say as it does.
Our discussion covers the hype surrounding AAM, the impact of delayed timelines, what makes a good marketing strategy, how to you keep investors attracted to your vision and much more.
In this episode we are joined by Bristow’s chief transformation officer Dave Stepanek. A helicopter guy through and through, who previously served as Bristow’s chief operating officer, Dave has been charged with overseeing the organisation’s strategic diversification into new markets such as advanced air mobility, electric aircraft and unmanned cargo delivery.
Our discussion centres around Bristow's view of AAM and electrification. What will come first, what are the risk associated with operating new aircraft and how Bristow is supporting new aircraft OEMs with their respective programmes.
You can also download Dave's white paper A Philosophical Guide to Early Operations published earlier this year here.
In this episode we welcome Anthony Mc Loughlin, founder and CEO of Better Futures, to the podcast.
Mc Loughlin's firm is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for engineers . The company has identified, among others, a market niche in the burgeoning electric aviation sector and offers free demos via its website to enable engineers to explore the benefits of using an AI assistant in their day-to-day work.
Our conversation covers how Mc Loughlin's career inspired the vision for the company, the various branches of AI Better Future's is utilising to build its products and how Mc Loughlin hopes engineering and manufacturing will improve due to the benefits AI can bring.
Click here to access demo tools.
In this episode we welcome back Ronnie Fahy, CEO of Australian aerial intelligence firm Xplorate.
Fresh off the back of gaining approval to inspect a full pipeline (550km) entirely beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in Queensland, Fahy tells us how the team got there and what it means to do so.
We also look ahead at what's next for Xplorate from diversifying into new industries to gaining further approvals in Australia.
In this episode we welcome Paul Briggs, Of Counsel at London-based law firm Bird & Bird.
Paul has nearly four decades of experience in aviation law, including 17 years of being Joint Head of the International Aviation & Aerospace Sector Group at Bird & Bird.
Now leading the firm’s efforts in sustainability, covering everything from SAF to eVTOLs, there are few better placed to discuss the commercial and legal issues presented by the latest revolution in aviation.
In this episode we welcome Benjamin Zeitoun, partner at Starburst Ventures alongside Matteo Peraldo, partner at Alix Partners and Florent Francois, CEO and founder of C-981.
Today's commercial aviation supply chain sees big players relying on an intricate network of small and medium-sized suppliers. It has in recent times proved resilient, but this episode's guests think time is running out for the current structure.
The industry is at a crossroads where supplier's must choose to either digitise and adopt new processes and technology or not. Not doing so could well result in consolidation or failure.
This episode discusses the state of the supply chain today, new technology in development and the investment driving it.
In this episode we welcome on our first all-electric aircraft OEM and our first eVTOL developer, BETA Technologies.
BETA is a Vermont-based company developing two aircraft — an eVTOL it calls Alia or A250 and a conventional takeoff variant dubbed CX300 — and supporting electric charging infrastructure.
To date the firm has raised over $1bn on its journey to commercialisation and made significant progress with highlights including a piloted transition flight in its eVTOL prototype earlier this year.
Joining us from BETA is chief operating officer Blain Newton.
In this episode we welcome Kolin Schunck, senior manager of Strategic Innovation & Intelligence at Lufthansa’s Innovation Hub. There he focuses on all things sustainable aviation including sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen and electric aviation and advanced air mobility.
Lufthansa's Innovation Hub this week announced its Startup Gate Program (see link below), if you are a startup feel free to apply to the programme below.
The hub also published the latest edition in its AAM Radar Series today entitled Scalability (see link below also).
- Lufthansa Group & Lufthansa Innovation Hub Startup Gate Program
- The AAM Radar Series
- The AAM Radar Series x Scalability
- Newsletter Sign-Up Page
In this episode we welcome on Christian Grim and Jesper Vind from Bosch Campus in Germany. Christian is General Manager of Bosch General Aviation Technology and Jesper works on the business development management side.
Located in in the German town of Holzkirchen near Munich, Bosch Campus includes about 25,000sqm of laboratory and office building space for its development engineers and partners.
Bosch said the goal was to create a place where people and their work "take centre stage". The campus recently welcomed its first external partner Munich-based electric aircraft startup Vaeridion which has plans to commence battery R&D at the site.
In this episode we speak to Edison Yu, lead on research coverage of Space & Aerial Mobility at Deutsche Bank. There he focuses on what is known as the New Space economy and the advent of eVTOL/UAM. With respect to advanced air mobility, Yu closely follows the progress of all the listed eVTOL OEMs.
In this episode we speak to Scott Cutshall president of Real Estate and Sustainability at Clay Lacy Aviation. There he manages and develops the company’s real estate and infrastructure portfolio while leading the organisation’s sustainability, community engagement, governmental affairs, and workforce development divisions.
Cutshall serves on a number industry environmental and sustainability committees and is an active member of industry associations. Roles include the National Air Transportation Association’s (NATA) Environmental Committee, National Business Aviation Association Environmental Sub-Committee and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) General Aviation Committee.
In this episode we speak to Chris Rocheleau the chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) about the role the organisation and the wider industry is playing in making advanced air mobility (AAM) a reality.
Rocheleau spent over 20 years with the FAA. His roles included Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety where he assisted in leading the organisation responsible for setting safety standards and overseeing all aspects of the aviation industry including AAM and uncrewed aircraft systems.
In this episode we speak to Mario Asselin CEO and co-founder of The AirCraft Company, a Kansas-based startup developing a family of hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Co-founding the company alongside his wife Sylvie St-Georges, the pair have 65 years of combined experience in aircraft design including the Bombardier Global 7500 and the Global 8000.
Accessibility is also a key piece of Asselin's vision for his aircraft family, the first member of which will be the SY30J Pangea forecast to enter service in 2029. Each aircraft will be wheelchair accessible, feature a disability friendly WC and have ample seat space to accommodate all.
In this episode we speak to Ronnie Fahy, CEO of Xplorate, an Australia-based aerial intelligence company that combines Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) with machine-learning to enable access to unprecedented data and insights from large infrastructure to terrain and, even, search and rescue.
Xplorate has a growing list of major oil and gas and governmental clients and a number of world-first approvals for BVLOS operations, including a first regulatory authorisation to inspect a pipeline on a commercial basis in Australia.
In this episode we speak to Todd Graetz co-founder of Aerolane, a US-based startup which is endeavouring to expand the availability of air freight at the same cost as traditional trucking. How? Through an innovative aerial towing system that combines tried and tested technology with cutting-edge advancements.
In this episode we speak to Sergio Cecutta, founder and partner at SMG Consulting, a boutique management consulting firm that amongst many other things provides data and modelling of the advanced air mobility (AAM) industry.
Listen to find out more about how the SMG team create those models and how the insight gained helps to shape and inform Sergio's view of this burgeoning industry.
For our first episode we are joined by the managing partners of mobility investment firm DiamondStream Partners, Brian Flynn, David Spurlock and Dean Donovan.
Speakers include:
Josh Stewart, BAE Systems
Bapi Surampudi, Southwest Research Institute
Evan Frank, Cuberg
Kindly sponsored by BAE Systems
Looking at vertiports for successful implementation of the UAM services
Speakers include:
Adam Slepian, Supernal LLC
Clint Harper, Urban Movement Labs, City of LA
Andrea Wu, Urban Air Porthttps://supernal.aero/
https://www.revolution.aero/
This episode, sponsored by Pillsbury Withrop Shaw Pittman LLP considered renewable energy in the future of flight.
Speakers included:
Veronica Relea, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Brian Flynn, DiamondStream PartnersRevolution.Aero website
Find out more about Pillsbury
This episode, sponsored by BAE Systems, considered Safety considerations for aircraft batteries
Speakers included:
Joshua Stewart, BAE Systems
Jesse Crispino, Jaunt Air Mobility
Jonathan Harrison, Gamma Technologieshttps://www.revolution.aero/
Find out more about BAE Systems
Speakers included:
*Kevin Slattum, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
David Mayman, JetPack Aviation
Ben Tigner, Overair
Sponsored by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP*
Kindly sponsored by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman this Revolution.Aero Town Hall discussed the place of SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies) in the aviation revolution.
Speakers included:
Kirsten Bartok Touw, AirFinance
Nick Fazioli, Jefferies LLC
Matt Oresman, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Robin Riedel, McKinsey & Company
See the data slide mentioned in the podcast here
Find out more about the upcoming conference at www.revolution.aero
Sign up for the Revolution.Aero Global 2021 virtual conference here
This special Revolution.Aero Town Hall took a look at intellectual property, patents and protecting ideas for manufacturers, a hot topic in light of the recent public litigation between two companies in the urban air mobility sector.
Hosted by Yuvan Kumar of Revolution.Aero, speakers include:
Kolin Schunck, Lufthansa Innovation Hub
Christopher Kao, Pillsbury
Katherine Stephens, Bird & BirdJOIN US FOR THE REVOLUTION.AERO GLOBAL 2021 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE TO HEAR MORE INSIGHTS, NEWS, DISCUSSIONS AND INTERACT WITH OTHERS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY.
(FREE TO ATTEND FOR QUALIFYING PROFESSIONALS)www.revolution.aero
This episode of the Revolution.Aero Town Hall takes a look at where investment fits within the revolution and the future of the flight.
Speakers included:
Amy Burr, JetBlue Technology Ventures
Dean Donovan, DiamondStream Partners
Beckett Jackson, Boeing HorizonX Ventures
Cyrus Sigari, UP.Partners
Hooman Yazari, Mobility Capital
https://www.revolution.aero
Kindly sponsored by Acubed by Airbus, this episode of the Revolution.Aero Town Hall discussed the question of autonomy - Cars, planes or flying taxis, which one will go autonomous first?
Speakers included:
Arne Stoschek, Acubed by Airbus
Kirsten Bartok Touw, AirFinance
David Merril, Elroy Air
Patrick McGee, Financial Times
https://acubed.airbus.com/
https://www.revolution.aero/
This episode of the Revolution,Aero Town Hall, supported by BAE Systems discusses what 2021 could have in store following the uncertainties and unusual times in 2020
Speakers included:
David Adamiak, BAE Systems
Katerina Barilov, Jump Aero
Kaydon Stanzione, LogistiWerx
Sacha Wetzel, Avfoil
https://www.baesystems.com
https://www.revolution.aero/
In this episode of the Revolution.Aero Town Hall, we discuss the challenges of regulating the aviation revolution with David Norton of Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton.
https://shackelford.law/
https://www.revolution.aero/
This episode of the Revolution.Aero Town Hall, supported by BAE Systems, looked at the Autonomous Revolution.
Speakers included:
- Marc Ausman, Airflow.aero
- Paul Smith, Acubed - Wayfinder
- Gary Gysin, Wisk
- Luuk van Dijk, Daedlean AI
- David Merril, Elroy Air
https://www.baesystems.com
https://www.revolution.aero/
In this episode, supported by BAE Systems, the Revolution.Aero Town Hall discusses the Urban Aviation Revolution.
Speakers include:
- Bill Schuhle, BAE Systems
- Cyrus Sigari, UP.Partners
- Wyatt Smith, Uber Elevante
- Dean Donovan, DiamondStream Partners
- Pavan Daswani, Citigroup
https://www.baesystems.com
https://www.revolution.aero/
This episode the Revolution.Aero Town Hall discussed the electric aviation revolution with leaders from across the industry.
Speakers included:
Brian Flynn, DiamondStream Partners
Eric Bartsch, VerdeGo Aero
Sergey Kiselev, ZeroAvia
Jeff Engler, Wright Electric
Charles Armitage, Citigroup
Roei Ganzarski, magniX
Connect with us at https://www.revolution.aero/