Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Bristow Group and the UK’s Vertical Aerospace Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on the certification and potential purchase of up to 50&nbsp;eVTOLs.&nbsp;Under the deal, Bristow would place a pre-order for 25 of Vertical’s VA-X4 four-passenger aircraft that are capable of speeds to 174 knots and a range of more than 87 nm.

 


Bristow’s commitment adds to Vertical’s pre-order book of 1,000 aircraft from potential customers, including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Avolon. Under the MOU, the two companies have agreed to develop a joint working group to collaborate on regulatory and airspace; demand, fleet size, spare parts and infrastructure; potential customers; and public acceptance and environmental requirements.&nbsp;

 


“As the global leader in vertical lift, Bristow’s operational expertise and efficiency,&nbsp;supported by the trust and confidence of our customers, can safely bring eVTOL aircraft into&nbsp;the market,”&nbsp;said Bristow CEO Chris Bradshaw.

 


This is Bristow’s second electric aircraft deal in less than a month. In late August, the company announced it had signed an MOU with Electra Aero for the purchase of up to&nbsp;50 of that company’s hybrid-electric STOL airplanes for entry into service beginning in 2026. "Our expansion into these new and existing geographic markets with sustainable, innovative, and efficient vertical lift and aerial transport services will offer passengers superior regional air mobility solutions,” said Bradshaw.&nbsp;

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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