Flight tests of an aircraft converted to electric propulsion from piston power have shown noise energy levels at least 100 times lower, highlighting the potential for electric aircraft to reduce airport noise pollution.

Oil and gas giant Shell has invested in sustainable aviation fuel producer LanzaJet, joining backers including British Airways and All Nippon Airways. 

NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions has launched a crowdsourcing competition to solicit assessments from experts on the factors most likely to shape the future of air travel and how to best arrive at a favorable outcome.

Lift Aircraft, maker of the Hexa electric vertical takeoff and landing multicopter, has joined Joby Aviation in gaining U.S. military flight release via the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program, according to the Air Force director of AFWerx.

Hydrogen propulsion pioneer ZeroAvia has secured an investment from British Airways (BA) and kicked off development of a fuel-cell power train for 50-seat-plus regional aircraft. 

Hydrogen has the potential to enable completely emissions-free flight for most aircraft in the future. MTU Aero Engines has high hopes for it and essentially sees three ways of using the volatile gas.

Cranfield Aerospace has changed the power source of its Project Fresson zero-carbon aviation initiative to hydrogen fuel cells after batteries were deemed too heavy. 

Allan McArtor, retired chairman of Airbus Americas, has joined electric cargo aircraft startup Airflow as an advisor.