The Revolution.Aero Podcast

In this episode we are joined by Charles Acknin, CEO and co-founder, and Isaac Roberts, chief strategy officer, of Skyways. Since 2017, Skyways has been developing and building long-range, autonomous cargo drones capable of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations for both the civil and defence markets. So far it has raised $25m across multiple funding rounds.  We discuss Skyways' launc...

In this episode we take a look inside the eVTOL development process in China with the CEO and co-founder of TCAB Yon Wui Ng.  Formerly of Geely Terrafugia and Airbus China, Yon founded TCAB alongside a group of fellow engineers in 2021. In less than five years the company has built a full-scale prototype, completed transition testing and is undergoing type certification with the Chinese civil avia...

In this episode we are joined by Emerson Xu, CEO and co-founder and Sandra Steinhoff, head of events and partnerships at NexAvian. NexAvian is leading efforts in urban air mobility and advanced aerial logistics solutions across Asia. The firm offers services to support the development, market entry and operational sustainability of AAM, drawing from real-world industry experience and deep regional...

In our latest episode we are joined by Dr Omer Ali Sufaideen, Assistant Dean, Graduate Studies Affairs, Rabdan Academy, United Arab Emirates. Omer was previously the Head of Military Studies Minor & Senior Lecturer in the Public Safety & Security Programme, School of Humanities and Behavioural Sciences, Singapore University of Social Sciences. In this programme, he both developed and taugh...

After a short hiatus the podcast is back. In our latest episode we are joined by James Dorris, CEO of Odys Aviation.  The Long Beach-based startup is developing a long range hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft built for multiple use cases including passenger travel, logistics and defence.  From a first sub-scale test flight in summer 2021, Odys has now run tests on its in-house built 1MW generator and s...

In our latest episode we are joined by Mark Groden, CEO and founder of Skyryse, to talk automation in aerospace and the pioneering work he and his team have undertaken to achieve this.  As the title describes, Skyryse has managed to condense a room's worth of flight automation technology found in large commercial aircraft to the size of decent-sized toaster. Something many said could not be d...

In our latest episode we are joined by Megha Bhatia, chief commercial officer at Eve Air Mobility.  A spinoff of Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer, Eve is primarily developing a piloted battery-electric eVTOL capable of carrying four passengers and their luggage over a range of about 100km.  Having assembled its first full-scale eVTOL prototype in autumn 2024, the company is working through a serie...

In this episode we are joined by Bobby Healy, CEO and founder of Irish drone delivery company Manna Air Delivery.  Founded in 2018, the company operates a fleet of drones that fly pre-programmed routes beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS).  In 2021, Manna launched a commercial service delivering groceries, meals, and pharmaceuticals in Oranmore, Ireland. Since then, it has expanded operations i...

In this episode we are joined by Paul Touw and Scott Drennan from Otto Aerospace, the company vying to be the latest entrant to the super midsize segment of business aviation.  The firm, which has plans to build a production facility in Jacksonville, Florida, makes use of laminar flow technology to dramatically increase efficiency and sustainability versus competitors.  The aircraft which Otto has...

In our latest episode we are discussing one of AAM’s most critical ingredients, but also one of its biggest limiting factors. Batteries. Joining us to do so are the co-founders of London-based battery simulation modelling specialist About:Energy, Dr. Gavin White and Dr. Kieran O’Regan.  The pair founded the company in response to a need to better understand the digital aspect of batteries. How do...

In this episode we are joined by David Smith, CEO of California-based Robinson Helicopter Company.  David took up his post in early 2024 having spent 18 years at Textron, which incorporated 13 years at Bell in various roles.  Since joining Robinson he has made innovation a key focus for the company. Key highlights include announcing the all-new R88, the acquisition of Ascent Aerosystems and – reve...

In this episode we are joined by Addison Ferrell, director of infrastructure at Skyports Infrastructure, to talk all things vertiports. A graduate of Harvard Business School, Addison joined Skyports in 2021 after about five years at McKinsey. Before that he was at GE Aviation in various roles, including as a composite design engineer.  We discuss the work Skyports has been doing globally, includin...

In this episode we jump into the world of blended-wing body aircraft and more specifically JetZero, the company leading the charge to make these aircraft a commercial reality. Joining us to do so we have Tom O’Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero.  A California-based company, although it has just announced its first facility to be built in Greensboro, North Carolina, JetZero is developing a blende...

In this episode we are joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of hybrid-electric propulsion systems developer Ampaire. Since launching Ampaire in 2016 alongside Cory Combs, the Long Beach, California-based company has taken a leading approach to the development of hybrid-electric propulsion systems for aviation and has most recently had its G-1 certification authorisation approved by the FAA...

In this episode we welcome on Michael Cervenka, chief commercial and strategy officer of Vertical Aerospace.  Cervenka joined Bristol-based eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical in the summer of 2019 and has played a key role in the company’s development since then.  Vertical is developing an electric VTOL-capable aircraft capable of carrying one pilot and four passengers at a cruise speed of 150mph f...

In this episode we welcome co-founder and CEO Eloa Guillotin and chief engineer Luiz Oliveira from Beyond Aero.  Beyond is a Toulouse, France-based aircraft developer building the BYA-1 — a hydrogen-electric business aircraft targeted at sustainable business aviation with routes like Paris–Nice and Paris–Geneva. Guillotin and Oliveira share how the story behind the company's founding during t...

In this episode Eric Allison, head of product at Joby Aviation brings us up to speed with where the California-based eVTOL developer is at today. He discusses partnerships with airlines and cities including Virgin Airlines and Dubai. Allison emphasises the importance of sustainability, cost-effectiveness and public acceptance to scaling operations.  Additionally, he touches on timelines for commer...

In this episode we have none other than Gregory Davis, President of Raisbeck Engineering. A licensed commercial pilot and accomplished engineer, Davis has over 15 years of experience in leadership roles within aviation.  His current post at Seattle-based Raisbeck is with a company that specialises in providing aerodynamically designed enhancements to aircraft – working with OEMs such as Boeing and...

In this episode we welcome Mark Moore, founder and CEO of Whisper Aero.  A renowned figure in the world of advanced air mobility, Moore is someone who has been there throughout it all. After working at NASA for three decades he then moved on to Uber, before heading up his own company developing ultra quiet electric thrusters at multiple scales.  Some argue Moore is a controversial contributor to t...

In our latest episode we are joined by Dr Mohamed Attia, co-founder and CEO of NEX Aero, to discuss the Berlin-based company's work in developing hybrid-electric hydrogen fuel cell-powered VTOL drones for long-range cargo delivery.  An aeronautical engineer, formerly of Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Attia believes his background shaped his approach to innovation in aviation.  NEX Aero focuses on ad...

In this episode we welcome Embraer-X president and CEO Daniel Moczydlower to the podcast.  A chemical engineer from Brazil, prior to Embraer Moczydlower was CEO of Chemtech, a Siemens company, overseeing the transition from startup to multinational corporate. He has spent 12 years with Embraer, the past four at the helm of Embraer's disruptive innovation subsidiary which is responsible for th...

Happy new year and welcome back to the Revolution. Aero Podcast. For our first episode of 2025, we are joined by an expert in forecasting advanced air mobility.  A principal at Renaissance Strategic Advisors, Jay Carmel has more than fifteen years of experience providing strategy development and M&A advisory services. Today he primarily covers aircraft OEM equipment suppliers, aftermarket serv...

In this episode we welcome Dan Dalton, head of Global Partnerships at autonomous eVTOL developer Wisk.  The Boeing-owned company is arguably leading the charge across efforts to introduce autonomous commercial airborne passenger services globally with a particular focus currently on initial launch markets in the US and Australia.  We discuss why Wisk decided to take the approach it has, the risks...

In this episode of the Revolution. Aero Podcast we are joined by Jamie Bullen, a senior consultant from Montfort Communications based in London.  An experienced financial journalist and editor within the property, finance and aviation press, with former employers including Euromoney and Flight Global, Jamie is perfectly placed to give behind-the-scenes insight into what makes a startup do and say...

In this episode we are joined by Bristow’s chief transformation officer Dave Stepanek. A helicopter guy through and through, who previously served as Bristow’s chief operating officer, Dave has been charged with overseeing the organisation’s strategic diversification into new markets such as advanced air mobility, electric aircraft and unmanned cargo delivery. Our discussion centres around Bristow...