Hanneke Weitering
Science & Technology Editor
Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.
Latest from Hanneke Weitering
FutureFlight
U.S. Struggles with Sustainable Lithium-ion Battery Supply Chain
Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to skyrocket in the coming decade as new electric aircraft fleets take to the skies. Will the U.S. be ready?
FutureFlight
NASA's X-59 Supersonic Aircraft Set To Fly This Year
Lockheed Martin, working with NASA, has installed the tail section of the X-59 supersonic aircraft in preparation for first flight this year.
FutureFlight
Joby Taps Toyota To Manufacture eVTOL Aircraft Components
Toyota Motor Corporation has agreed to supply key powertrain and actuation components for Joby’s eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight On The Radar
World Economic Forum Report Highlights Infrastructure Needs for Zero-carbon Flights
In a new white paper, the World Economic Forum spells out what airlines and airports will need to do to ensure that new aircraft with battery-electric and hydrogen-powered propulsion systems are viable.
Regulations and Government
U.S. Struggles with Sustainable Li-ion Battery Supply Chain
Demand for lithium-ion batteries is expected to skyrocket in the coming decade as new electric aircraft fleets take to the skies. Will the U.S. be ready?
FutureFlight
Whisper Aero Raises $32 Million for Ultraquiet Electric Ducted Fans
Whisper Aero, a Tennessee start-up, spent the last two years developing a propulsion system that it says is quieter and more efficient than any other. Now it has finally revealed part of its secret: electric ducted fans.
FutureFlight
Joby Wins $55 Million Agility Prime Contract Extension from U.S. Air Force
The eVTOL developer will also deliver nine air taxis to U.S. Air Force bases, with the first two aircraft expected to arrive at Edwards Air Force Base in California in early 2024.
Safety
NASA, Reliable Robotics Partner on UAS Safety
Autonomous aviation company Reliable Robotics partners with NASA to improve safety of remotely-piloted aircraft in the National Airspace System.
FutureFlight
Magpie Aviation Demonstrates First Autonomous Tow for Electric Airplanes
Magpie Aviation says its aerotow could enable large electric airplanes to fly much longer long distances
ATC
ERAU Students Test Reliable Robotics’ Remote-pilot Tech
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, tested Reliable Robotics’ communication system for remotely piloted aircraft.
FutureFlight
Embry-Riddle Students Test Reliable Robotics’ Remote-pilot Tech
Students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona had the opportunity to test out Reliable Robotics’ voice communication system for remotely piloted, highly autonomous aircraft.
FutureFlight
Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Developer Natilus Begins Flight Testing
Natilus has successfully flown a subscale technology demonstrator aircraft and is moving ahead with a full-scale prototype of its Kona cargo freighter.
FutureFlight
University of Miami Launches Autonomous Air Mobility Initiative
The University of Miami College of Engineering has created the Miami Engineering Autonomous Mobility Initiative, which “aims to advance autonomous mobility technology and anticipate challenges to implementation in today’s cities.”
FutureFlight
Xwing Begins FAA Certification Process for ‘Superpilot’ Autonomous Flight System
Autonomous aviation pioneer Xwing says it has formally begun the FAA approval process for its 'Superpilot' autonomous flight control system, which the company plans to use for pilotless cargo delivery flights in the U.S.
FutureFlight
Merlin Wins $1 Million FAA Contract for Autonomous Flight Trials in Alaska
Merlin, a Boston-based company developing 'drop-in' autonomy kits for legacy fixed-wing aircraft, has received a $1 million contract from the FAA to demonstrate its autonomous flight technology with flight trials in Alaska.
FutureFlight
FAA Funds Advanced Air Mobility Noise Pollution Research
The FAA has awarded $19 million in research grants to 14 universities in an effort to reduce noise pollution associated with aviation and advanced air mobility.
Environment
FAA Invests $19M in Aviation Noise Research
The FAA has awarded $19 million in research grants to 14 universities in an effort to reduce noise pollution associated with aviation.
FutureFlight
U.S. First Lady Jill Biden Visits Beta Technologies To Highlight Efforts To Build Clean-energy Workforce
U.S. First Lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona made a visit to Beta Technologies in Vermont this week to see how the electric aviation company is investing in educational opportunities and workforce development.
FutureFlight
Stirling Dynamics Joins Hanwha in Developing Actuators for Vertical's VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
Hanwha Aerospace is joining forces with advanced engineering company Stirling Dynamics to produce a key component of Vertical Aerospace’s four-seat eVTOL air taxi.
FutureFlight
Horizon Aircraft's Cavorite X5 eVTOL Technology Demonstrator Begins Wind Tunnel Testing
Newly released video from Horizon Aircraft shows the company’s half-scale Cavorite X5 eVTOL technology demonstrator conducting its first transition flight tests at the ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel in Oshawa, Ontario.
FutureFlight
Flying Whales Picks Honeywell Generator to Power Hybrid-Electric Airship
Flying Whales has selected Honeywell’s one-megawatt generator to power its giant hybrid-electric LCA60T airship.
FutureFlight
Artificial Intelligence in the Cockpit Could Monitor Pilot Fatigue and Health
Blueskeye AI, a U.K.-based software company specializing in facial analysis using artificial intelligence, recently received a £20,000 award to investigate how facial sensing technology could glean information about human behavior in aircraft cockpits.
Aircraft
United Airlines and Archer Reveal First Air Taxi Route in Chicago
Scheduled to launch in 2025, the first United eVTOL route will take passengers between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago.
FutureFlight
Archer and United Airlines Reveal First Air Taxi Route in Chicago
The commercial air taxi route, scheduled to launch in 2025, will transport passengers on eVTOL aircraft between O’Hare International Airport and Vertiport Chicago, the city’s only downtown heliport facility.
FutureFlight
Bell APT Autonomous Cargo Drone Crashes in Texas
A Bell APT 70 UAV cargo drone crashed last week in Texas.
FutureFlight
UPS Will Test Beta's Electric Aircraft in UAE Cargo Missions
The UAE has granted UPS a temporary license to operate cargo-carrying versions of Beta’s two electric aircraft.
Airports
VPorts Ramps Up Plans for AAM Infrastructure in UAE
VPorts has announced new partnerships and plans for eVTOL/advanced air mobility vertiports in the United Arab Emirates.
FutureFlight
EvFly Orders 205 AutoFlight eVTOL Aircraft for Passengers and Cargo
Autoflight has secured a major order from Singapore-based fleet-management and air-transport company EvFly for 205 Prosperity I and Prosperity Cargo eVTOL aircraft.
FutureFlight
VPorts Ramps Up Plans for AAM Infrastructure in UAE
VPorts has announced new partnerships and plans to developer vertiports and infrastructure for eVTOL air services in the United Arab Emirates.
FutureFlight
ICAO Issues Call for Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Solutions
The International Civil Aviation Organization has issued its newest request for information to public and private-sector providers in support of the upcoming 2023 Drone Enable Symposium.
