Expands Mission to Include eVTOL, Hydrogen, and STOL Aircraft

The Vertical Flight Society has announced a continuous period of record growth, thanks in large part to the explosive growth of the eVTOL industry. 

The society has long been a professional club for those involved in the design, development, and manufacture of all manner of vertical flight aircraft. This year has seen the Society swell to 173 companies and other organizations after the addition of 23 new entities from last year. That 15% growth in a year has led to a Society that now stands at twice the size it was 5 years prior. 

Notable changes this year saw Joby Aviation increase its membership status to the Gold level, the next highest to the major rotorcraft manufacturers like Airbus, Bell, Sikorsky, Boeing, and Leonardo one step up at the Platinum level. Joby's early leadership and support is credited with allowing the expansion of the Vertical Flight Society to encompass not just conventional helicopters, but electric flight aircraft. While it may seem expected to outsiders, the change allowed the Socie4ty to encompass even electric airplanes that meet Part 23 and CS-23 certification standards, bringing in a whole spectrum of electric, conventional takeoff/landing and STOL aircraft.

The development also laid the groundwork for the 1st Hydrogen Aero Symposium and Workshop, allowing the industry to hold a conference on the applications of the element in vehicles of every type. The society expects hydrogen fuel to play a considerable part in the sustainable flight sector going forward, especially with the improvements being made to the infrastructure required to make H2 a viable commercial option. 

“All segments of the advanced air mobility industry are now introducing technologies pioneered by eVTOL aircraft developers and ecosystem partners and there is a tremendous benefit to having all sectors of the sustainable aviation industry continuing to work closely together,” said Mike Hirschberg, VFS Executive Director. “For example, cross pollination is especially important when it comes to certifying these advanced aircraft and developing new infrastructure that can be shared by more than one type of aircraft.”

FMI: www.vtol.org