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&#039;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.

Science & Technology Editor

In a historic first, a fully electric-powered Robinson R44 helicopter flew from one airport to another. The 21-nm flight took place on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time&nbsp;from Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, California, to Palm Springs International Airport. The electric R44 flight was flown by OC Helicopters CEO Ric Webb and Martine Rothblatt, CEO of Lung Biotechnology parent company United Therapeutics.
Tier 1 Engineering and Lung Biotechnology are collaborating on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2018-12-13/all-electric-r44-sets-flight-record">electric R44 project</a>. The plan is to use electric-powered helicopters and eVTOLs for delivery of transplantable organs on short-distance flights from airports to hospitals after the organs are delivered by electric and sustainable-fuel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to airports near hospitals.
This version of the electric R44 is the third-generation design of the R44 electric-propulsion system. It features a quick-swap battery back that can be changed in 15 minutes or charged in one hour. Plans call for FAA certification of the R44 electric-propulsion system and development of “newer energy cells” that will extend range to hundreds of miles, according to Rothblatt.
“Lung Biotechnology is committed to delivering life-saving transplantable organs with a zero-carbon footprint,” she said. “It is fully possible to save patients’ lives while ensuring a livable planet. Today’s historic inter-city electric helicopter flight demonstrates that many organ transport distances are doable with electric aircraft using today’s technology.”

Hanneke Weitering

An R44 helicopter powered entirely by an electric propulsion system flies over Coachella on the way to Palm Springs International Airport. (Photo: Tier 1 Engineering)

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