Podcast
The eVTOL Insights Podcast
Hosted by The eVTOL Insights Podcast · EN
eVTOL Insights is a leading source of news, information and analysis into the global electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and Advanced Air Mobility markets.
Since our launch in April 2020, we’ve been covering the latest industry news and offering insight for leading executives in the manned and unmanned market, across both passenger and cargo-carrying services.
Our in-depth podcasts aim to cover a range of different topics, from eVTOL OEMs updates, certification, landing infrastructure, battery developments and regulations.
Head to evtolinsights.com, where you can read the latest stories and features, watch short industry videos and sign up to our newsletter, WhatsApp and Signal channels.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 208: Darrell Swanson and Jarek Zych of EA Maven - AeroTesseract launch
Feb 1900:38:17Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Darrell Swanson and Jarek Zych of EA Maven discuss the launch of AeroTesseract, a full-stack SaaS platform designed to bring investment-grade analysis to advanced air mobility (AAM). They explain that traditional aviation forecasting tools rely on historical air traffic data, which is unsuitable for emerging AAM routes. Instead, AeroTesseract uses surface mobility data and bottom-up, route-by-route modelling to identify viable markets. The platform integrates demand forecasting, scheduling, revenue modelling, energy requirements, and carbon analysis into one iterative workflow. It allows users to test sensitivities such as pricing, time savings, aircraft type, and propulsion system, while also modelling infrastructure revenues and grid capacity constraints. Both Darrell and Jarek emphasise realism and granular analysis over top-down market projections, positioning AeroTesseract as a potential industry-standard tool for operators, airports, OEMs, and governments planning the future of regional and urban air mobility.
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Episode 207: Austin Spiegel, CTO at Sift
Feb 1200:26:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jason Pritchard is joined by Austin Spiegel, CTO and Co-Founder of SIFT, to explore how better data infrastructure is accelerating advanced air mobility development. Austin explains how SIFT’s hardware observability platform helps OEMs capture, organize and analyze vast volumes of telemetry generated across the entire aircraft lifecycle—from simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing to manufacturing and flight operations. With certification programmes placing increasing pressure on traceability and auditability, he highlights how fragmented data systems, siloed workflows and manual reporting processes can create costly bottlenecks for eVTOL developers. The conversation dives into how SIFT creates a unified, structured “digital thread” that links telemetry to specific assets, sub-assemblies and manufacturing processes—enabling clear, regulator-ready evidence paths. Austin also discusses real-time flight test monitoring, automated pass/fail reporting, anomaly detection through “family” data comparisons, and the growing regulatory shift toward digital-ready, interactive evidence rather than static PDFs. With SIFT recently announcing a $42 million Series B raise, Austin shares how the company is scaling its team and capabilities to support the next phase of growth in aviation and beyond—building toward a single source of truth for hardware data that helps OEMs reduce late-stage surprises and move more confidently toward certification.
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Episode 206: Katie Inman, Partner at Holland and Knight
Feb 500:36:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Katie Inman, Partner at Holland & Knight and a leading authority on aviation public policy and regulation, to unpack the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for Advanced Air Mobility operations. Drawing on her extensive experience at the FAA, where she led major rulemaking initiatives for unmanned and novel aircraft, Inman offers a rare insider’s perspective on how regulators think, how policy is shaped, and what industry stakeholders need to know to successfully move forward. The conversation explores common misconceptions about FAA rulemaking, including the complexity, legal rigor, and time required to develop new aviation policy. Inman explains how performance-based regulation and the FAA’s “safety continuum” are increasingly central to accommodating emerging technologies, while maintaining the agency’s mandate to ensure the highest levels of safety in the world’s most complex airspace.
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Episode 205: Allison Maginot, Senior Director, Corporate Government Affairs and Sustainability, Regal Rexnord
Jan 2900:30:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of eVTOL Insights, host Jason Pritchard sits down with Alison to explore the critical role of government affairs in advancing the future of Advanced Air Mobility. Alison shares how Regal Rexnord supports the eVTOL ecosystem through its aerospace-grade components, scalable manufacturing capabilities, and strategic collaboration with OEMs and policymakers. The discussion dives into regulatory readiness, public-private collaboration, and the importance of clear storytelling and transparency in building public trust. Alison offers valuable insights into how industry, government, and regulators are working together to ensure safe, sustainable, and timely deployment of eVTOL technology—positioning the U.S. to remain a global leader in next-generation aviation.
Transcribe →Episode 204: Darryl Abelscroft, Future Safety and Innovation, UK Civil Aviation Authority
Jan 2200:35:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Darryl provides an in-depth overview of the CAA’s recently published eVTOL Delivery Model, explaining why it was developed, what it contains and how it is intended to provide clarity and transparency for industry as the UK works toward enabling commercial eVTOL operations. The conversation explores how the delivery model aligns with the UK’s Future of Flight programme and broader net zero ambitions, including the government’s objective to see piloted passenger eVTOL operations in the UK by 2028. Darryl outlines the CAA’s regulatory roadmap, key delivery principles, and the importance of building on existing aviation frameworks while remaining proportionate, flexible, and innovation-friendly. He also discusses what the CAA expects from industry in the near term, including engagement with live policy consultations, as well as how the delivery model will evolve through its 'flying now, flying tomorrow, and flying in future' phases. The episode covers certification challenges, vertiport and ground infrastructure regulation, airspace integration, ecosystem maturity in the UK, and the balance between regulatory certainty and technological innovation. The discussion concludes with practical advice for eVTOL stakeholders on early engagement with the regulator, insights into remaining unknowns around scaled deployment, and Darryl's perspective on why the UK is well positioned to play a leading role in the global advanced air mobility ecosystem.
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Episode 203: Lester Erlston, Founder of Flight Kinetics
Jan 1500:21:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jason Pritchard is joined by Lester Erlston, Founder of Flight Kinetics, to explore how advanced aerodynamics could unlock the next phase of electric and hybrid-electric flight. Lester explains how the company’s proprietary technology, PropWings, is designed to dramatically improve lift, range, and payload capacity for eVTOL aircraft—without requiring advances in battery chemistry. Instead, the solution focuses on smarter aerodynamics, harvesting previously wasted propeller slipstream energy to enhance performance during critical flight phases such as transition and cruise. During the conversation, Lester outlines Flight Kinetics’ journey from initial invention through patent protection and toward a scalable licensing business model. The company positions itself as a future Tier 1 technology licensor, offering an airframe-neutral solution that can be integrated across multiple eVTOL platforms. The discussion dives deep into the technical challenges of designing a high-lift system that is robust, adaptable, and certifiable across diverse aircraft architectures. Lester shares how a phased validation roadmap—progressing from advanced CFD analysis to wind tunnel testing and ultimately flight testing—is being used to reduce risk and deliver the real-world data OEMs require. Looking ahead, the episode explores how improved aerodynamic efficiency can translate directly into safer operations, greater energy margins, longer routes, and stronger economics for operators.
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eVTOL Insights' Women in AAM Podcast: Dr. Tracy Lamb
Jan 800:41:16Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Marilyn Pearson sits down with Dr. Tracy Lamb, a globally respected aviation and aerospace safety leader, international airline pilot, and human factors expert with more than 20 years of experience across commercial aviation, advanced aerospace programs, and emerging technologies. Dr. Lamb shares deep insights into the rapidly evolving world of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), unpacking how global regulators, standards bodies, and industry leaders are working to harmonize certification, operations, and safety frameworks for eVTOL aircraft. Drawing on her experience with ICAO, RTCA, and international regulators, she explains why regulatory harmonization is complex, why timelines often shift, and how differences in culture, operations, and organizational maturity impact entry into service. The conversation explores some of the most critical challenges facing AAM today, including latent safety hazards, organizational readiness, pilot training, automation, and the human factors that don’t always show up in early flight testing. Dr. Lamb introduces listeners to the concept of the “safety continuum,” resilience engineering, and Safety-II thinking—highlighting why designing systems to fail safely and adapt under stress is essential as AAM scales toward passenger operations.
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Episode 189: Furqan, CEO of Sora Aviation
Aug 14Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we speak with Furqan, CEO and co-founder of Sora Aviation, a UK-based startup pioneering the S1, a 30-seat battery-electric tiltrotor designed to make Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) truly affordable and accessible. Key Topics & Insights include: - Sora’s Origin Story – From early fascination with aviation to leading eVTOL programs at GKN, and why Furqan and co-founder Malcolm Foster set out to build a “flying bus” for the masses. - Mission & Vision – Tackling AAM’s biggest challenge: affordability. Why higher passenger capacity is the key to equitable access, not just serving VIPs. - Inside the S1 Aircraft – Battery-electric tiltrotor design, 30-seat capacity, low-noise optimizations, advanced safety redundancies, and innovative battery integration. - Market Focus – Airport shuttle routes as the launch market, with high demand, strong willingness to pay, and a proven historical precedent in large passenger helicopters. - Go-to-Market & Partnerships – Aircraft sales model with MRO, training, and battery services; early orders from South Korea’s Moviation and collaborations with UK universities and aerospace specialists. - Certification Path – Targeting UK CAA approval aligned with EASA SC-VTOL standards, paving the way for FAA and global certification. - Challenges & Public Perception – Overcoming skepticism about “flying buses” and shifting the conversation from luxury air taxis to everyday mobility. - Future Milestones – First full-scale rotor spin-up next year, first flight in 2028, and entry into service by 2031. - Myth-Busting – eVTOLs are not just electric helicopters—they target different missions and will evolve over time.
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