<p>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.</p>


Science & Technology Editor

<p>Supernal, the advanced air mobility subsidiary of Korean carmaker Hyundai, has opened its new engineering headquarters in Irvine, California, the company announced Tuesday. This facility is where Supernal will conduct the bulk of the development work for its four-passenger SA-1 eVTOL air taxi, which the company plans to have certified and in service by 2028.&nbsp;</p>
<p>More than 200 people now work at Supernal’s Irvine locations, which include the new 105,000-square-foot office building and a separate 80,000-square-foot satellite test and evaluation site. With the opening of the new engineering office, Supernal says it now has the capacity to expand its Irvine-based workforce to 500 employees, and it aims to hire at least 100 people by the end of the year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>“The key to realizing the potential of advanced air mobility hinges on leveraging exceptional tech talent, making Irvine the prime location for our engineering headquarters,” said Jaiwon Shin, CEO of Supernal and president of Hyundai Motor Group. “This strategic location enables us to expand our rapidly growing team of industry experts in aerospace, automotive, and deep-tech. Together, we are poised to redefine transportation and shape the future of Advanced Air Mobility.”</p>
<p>The new engineering headquarters is the first of three new facilities that Supernal intends to open this year. It also plans to open&nbsp;a policy and commercial hub in Washington, D.C., and a primary research and development facility in Fremont, California, which is part of Silicon Valley.</p>
<p>In June, Supernal named a cohort of multiple <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-23/supernal-adds-suppliers-and-manufacturing-partners-sa-1-evtol-air-taxi">suppliers and manufacturing partners</a> who will support its efforts to bring the SA-1 to market in 2028. These companies include the following: GKN Aerospace (electrical wiring and interconnection system); Qarbon Aerospace (thermoplastic carbon-composite components); and Umbra Group (motor control electronics and actuators). Other key program partners include <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-10-16/supernal-selects-evtol-aircraft-flight-deck-and-flight-control-partners">Honeywell</a>, which is supplying its Anthem avionics suite, BAE Systems for flight controls, and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-07-20/supernal-partners-electric-power-systems-improve-evtol-batteries">EP Systems f</a>or batteries.</p>
<p>Supernal is also working on a hydrogen-powered <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-03-30/hyundai-adds-estol-regional-aircraft-its-supernal-evtol-plans">eSTOL version </a>of the vehicle, which would have much longer range of up to around 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-11-10/hyundai-relaunches-urban-air-mobility-division-supernal">SA-1 eVTOL </a>aircraft is expected to have a maximum range of around 60 miles.</p>
<article class="align-center media media--type-video media--view-mode-default">
  
        <div class="layout layout--onecol">
    <div class="layout__region layout__region--content">
      <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blockmediavideofield-media-oembed-video">
  
    
      
            <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="https://backend.ainonline.com//media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/ycKQWbJW1c4&amp;max_width=0&amp;max_height=0&amp;hash=M86WQLy6SM6ZlKGgIdy405bawLlD0_KTTTB6GHePEWM" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="Hyundai's Supernal Previews its eVTOL Air Taxi Experience – FutureFlight"></iframe>
</div>
      
  </div>
<div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blockmediavideofield-caption">
  
    
      
            <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Hyundai's Supernal Previews its eVTOL Air Taxi Experience – FutureFlight</div>
      
  </div>

    </div>
  </div>

  </article>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Hanneke Weitering

Supernal employees pose for a group photo in front of the company's new engineering headquarters in Irvine, California. (Photo: Supernal)

Supernal Opens New Engineering Headquarters In California For eVTOL Aircraft Development

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

In this article

Supernal

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN