Technology & Innovation
NASA’s X-59 Completes Second Supersonic Test Flight Safely
NASA’s X-59 completed its second test flight, collecting key data despite an early landing due to a cockpit system warning.
This article is based on an official press release from NASA.
On Friday, March 20, 2026, NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took to the skies for its second test-flights. Taking off from Edwards Air Force Base in California, the flight marked the official beginning of the “envelope expansion” phase for the agency’s ambitious Quesst mission.
According to an official press release from NASA, the flight was intentionally cut short to just nine minutes after a cockpit system warning. Despite the abbreviated duration, NASA test pilot Jim “Clue” Less landed the experimental military-aircraft safely, and mission officials have deemed the flight a success due to the valuable data collected on the aircraft’s handling and onboard systems.
The Quesst mission aims to revolutionize commercial aviation by demonstrating the ability to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating a disruptive sonic boom. By replacing the loud explosion with a quieter “sonic thump,” NASA hopes to provide international regulations with the acoustic data needed to lift the current ban on commercial supersonic flight over land.
The second flight of the X-59 was originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19, but was shifted to Friday. The aircraft took off at 10:54 a.m. PDT. According to NASA’s mission parameters, the planned flight profile was expected to last approximately an hour. The goal was to match the conditions of the aircraft’s first flight, reaching 230 mph at an altitude of 12,000 feet, before climbing to 20,000 feet and accelerating to 260 mph.
However, several minutes into the flight, pilot Jim Less received a vehicle system warning. Following established safety protocols, Less initiated a “return-to-base” maneuver. The aircraft touched down safely at 11:03 a.m. PDT, resulting in a total flight time of nine minutes.
“The takeoff roll and liftoff was uneventful. The plane performed beautifully,” stated NASA Test Pilot Jim “Clue” Less in the agency’s release. “As we like to say, it was just like the simulator – and that’s what we like to hear. This is just the beginning of a long flight campaign.”
This second flight officially kicks off the “envelope expansion” phase of the X-59 program. During this critical testing period, NASA will gradually push the aircraft to fly faster and higher in measured increments to validate its safety and performance limits. The ultimate performance target for the X-59 is a cruising speed of Mach 1.4 at an altitude of approximately 55,000 feet.
The aircraft’s inaugural flight took place on October 28, 2025, piloted by Nils Larson, and lasted 67 minutes. Following extensive post-flight maintenance and an engine run test on March 12, 2026, the team was ready to resume airborne testing. “Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team. We collected more data, and the pilot landed safely,” noted Cathy Bahm, Project Manager for NASA’s Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator. “We’re looking forward to getting back to flight as soon as possible.”
At AirPro News, we view this abbreviated flight not as a setback, but as a textbook example of experimental flight testing protocols functioning exactly as designed. The primary objective of early-stage test flights is to identify system anomalies in a controlled environment. NASA Associate Administrator Bob Pearce confirmed that the decision to terminate the flight followed established safety procedures, which is standard practice for experimental aircraft.
The successful collection of handling, braking, and onboard systems data during those nine minutes will be critical for the engineering teams. Once the envelope expansion phase is complete, NASA will transition to acoustic testing, flying the X-59 over select U.S. communities to gather public feedback on the noise. This data will be instrumental for international regulators considering the future of overland supersonic travel, making every data point gathered today a stepping stone toward faster global connectivity.
The flight was terminated after nine minutes due to a vehicle system warning in the cockpit. The pilot followed standard safety procedures and returned to base safely, which NASA officials noted is a normal occurrence during early experimental flight testing.
The mission aims to demonstrate that the X-59 can fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the traditional sonic boom to a quieter “sonic thump.” This data will be shared with regulators to potentially lift the ban on commercial supersonic flight over land.
NASA’s target for the X-59 is a cruising speed of Mach 1.4 (faster than the speed of sound) at an altitude of approximately 55,000 feet.
NASA’s X-59 Supersonic Aircraft Completes Abbreviated Second Test Flight
Flight Profile and Precautionary Landing
A Nine-Minute Data-Gathering Mission
The Quesst Mission and Envelope Expansion
Pushing the Limits Safely
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the X-59’s second flight cut short?
What is the goal of NASA’s Quesst mission?
How fast will the X-59 eventually fly?
Sources
Photo Credit: NASA
Technology & Innovation
AURA AERO Secures Permit for New Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Factory in Toulouse
AURA AERO obtains building permit for 50,000 sqm AURA Factory in Toulouse to produce hybrid-electric aircraft and drones by 2028.
This article is based on an official press release from AURA AERO.
French hybrid-electric aircraft developer AURA AERO has reached a major regulatory and industrial milestone, securing the building permit for its new manufacturing facility at Toulouse-Francazal Airport. According to a company press release, the new site, dubbed the AURA Factory, will span 50,000 square meters and serve as the cornerstone of the manufacturer’s push into low-carbon aviation.
The facility is projected to create more than 1,600 direct jobs and generate $2 billion in long-term revenue. The approval clears the way for AURA AERO to significantly scale up its production capabilities as it prepares to bring its next-generation aircraft to market.
“Designed to meet the highest environmental and regulatory standards, AURA Factory embodies a new generation of aerospace facilities, focused on innovation, industrial performance, and environmental responsibility,” AURA AERO stated in its release.
The AURA Factory will house the production lines for the company’s diverse portfolio of aircraft. According to the press release, the facility will scale up the manufacturing of the INTEGRAL family of training aircraft, the ENBATA tactical surveillance drone, and the flagship ERA (Electric Regional Aircraft) program.
The ERA is a 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft designed to significantly reduce aviation emissions on short-haul routes. To support this transition toward decarbonized aviation, the factory project has received substantial backing. The press release notes that the facility is supported by the French government’s France 2030 investment plan and the European Commission’s Innovation Fund. Industry reports indicate the European Commission’s backing includes a €95 million (approximately $103 million) grant to support the mass production of low-carbon aircraft.
With the building permit now in hand, the operational phase of the project has officially begun. AURA AERO confirmed that site remediation work is currently in progress at the Toulouse-Francazal location.
The company expects to officially break ground on the facility in the second half of 2026. If the construction timeline holds, the AURA Factory is slated to enter service by 2028.
“This milestone would not have been possible without the strong commitment of our public and regional partners. Their support has been instrumental in bringing this major industrial project to life,” the company noted.
We note that the approval of the AURA Factory cements the Occitanie region’s status as a central hub for aerospace innovation and green propulsion technology. For AURA AERO, the 2028 target for the Toulouse facility aligns with its broader global expansion strategy. The company recently established a U.S. headquarters and initial production site in Florida, positioning itself to serve both the European and North American markets as demand for hybrid-electric regional aircraft and modern trainers accelerates. The AURA Factory is a planned 50,000-square-meter aerospace manufacturing facility located at Toulouse-Francazal Airport in France, developed by AURA AERO.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for the second half of 2026, with the facility expected to enter service by 2028.
The facility will produce the INTEGRAL family of training aircraft, the ENBATA tactical surveillance drone, and the 19-seat hybrid-electric ERA regional aircraft.
Scaling up hybrid-electric and training programs
Construction timeline and regional impact
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AURA Factory?
When will the AURA Factory open?
What aircraft will AURA AERO produce at the new factory?
Sources
Photo Credit: AURA AERO
Technology & Innovation
NRG2fly Delivers First Megawatt Aircraft Charger to Væridion in Munich
NRG2fly installs first Megawatt Charging System at Væridion’s Munich facility, supporting fast charging for electric aircraft and regional flight decarbonization.
This article is based on an official press release from NRG2fly.
In March 2026, Dutch electric aviation infrastructure startup NRG2fly achieved a major operational milestone by delivering its first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) demonstrator to German electric aircraft developer Væridion. According to an official press release from NRG2fly, the prototype charger has been successfully installed at Væridion’s newly inaugurated production and test hangar at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport (EDMO) near Munich, Bavaria.
This delivery represents the first physical, working node in NRG2fly’s planned pan-European charging network for electric aviation. By providing the high-voltage infrastructure necessary to achieve sub-30-minute charging times, the partnership aims to prove the economic viability of regional electric flights and support broader European goals to decarbonize short-haul travel.
The aviation industry has long grappled with a lack of universal charging standards, which threatens to fragment the rollout of Electric-Aviation. While the Combined Charging System (CCS) is currently utilized for smaller electric planes, the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a standard originally developed for heavy-duty electric trucks, is now being adapted to handle the massive power requirements of larger passenger aircraft.
According to the company release, NRG2fly is spearheading efforts to establish industry-wide charging standards and interoperability through its “Project Eurocharge.” Founded in 2022 by Maarten Steinbuch, Jurjen de Jong, and Jeroen Kroonen, the Dutch Startups secured undisclosed venture funding in mid-2025 to expand its network across European airports. The deployment of this MCS demonstrator highlights a critical industry push toward standardized, high-power infrastructure.
In commercial aviation, fast turnaround times are essential to profitability. Shrinking the charging window to under 30 minutes allows electric aircraft to maintain tight flight schedules. NRG2fly notes that this rapid turnaround capability is what will ultimately make electric aircraft economically competitive with traditional fossil-fuel alternatives, offering a zero-emission solution that can seamlessly integrate into existing regional airline operations.
Væridion, founded in 2021 by former Airbus and ZF engineers Ivor van Dartel and Sebastian Seemann, is the developer behind the Microliner. Company specifications describe the Microliner as a 9-passenger, fully battery-electric regional aircraft designed for short-haul routes of up to 400 to 500 kilometers. The aircraft features wing-integrated modular batteries and a multi-engine, single-propeller propulsion system.
On March 13, 2026, Væridion officially opened its first production hangar and test facility at Oberpfaffenhofen. The NRG2fly press release indicates that this facility marks Væridion’s transition from research and development to the industrialization and production phase. The new site includes infrastructure tailored for high-voltage battery testing and a dedicated electric propulsion test rig. Væridion has maintained an aggressive development timeline, aiming to conduct prototype flights by 2027 and achieve type certification and commercial operations by 2030. In late 2024, the manufacturer reached a significant regulatory milestone, becoming the first general aviation manufacturer to secure a Pre-Application Contract (PAC) with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Financial and operational momentum has also accelerated over the past two years. Væridion raised €14 million in a Series A funding round in December 2024, led by climate tech VC World Fund. Furthermore, in late 2025, Væridion acquired a specialized testing facility and advanced manufacturing equipment, including precision laser welding tools, from the insolvent eVTOL developer Lilium, bolstering its manufacturing capabilities at the Oberpfaffenhofen site.
We view the physical deployment of megawatt-class charging hardware as a vital de-risking event for the electric regional air mobility sector. While novel aircraft designs often dominate industry headlines, the absence of standardized, high-throughput ground infrastructure remains a primary bottleneck for commercialization. By adapting the MCS standard from the heavy-duty trucking industry, NRG2fly and Væridion are bypassing the need to invent a bespoke aviation charging standard from scratch.
Furthermore, Væridion’s strategic acquisition of Lilium’s manufacturing assets in late 2025 suggests a highly pragmatic approach to scaling production capabilities while managing capital expenditures. If the sub-30-minute charging target is consistently met during the upcoming 2027 prototype flight tests, it will provide a compelling economic argument for regional operators looking to decarbonize short-haul routes without sacrificing fleet utilization rates.
What is the Megawatt Charging System (MCS)? When is the Væridion Microliner expected to fly? Where is Væridion’s new facility located? Sources: NRG2fly
NRG2fly Delivers First Megawatt Aircraft Charger to Væridion’s Munich Facility
Advancing the Megawatt Charging System (MCS)
The Push for Sub-30-Minute Turnarounds
Væridion’s Microliner Enters Industrialization Phase
Strategic Growth and Asset Acquisitions
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The MCS is a high-power charging standard originally developed for heavy-duty electric trucks. It is now being adapted for electric aviation to deliver massive amounts of power quickly, enabling larger electric aircraft to fully charge in under 30 minutes.
According to the company’s stated timeline, Væridion aims to conduct initial prototype flights of the Microliner by 2027, with a target for full type certification and commercial operations by 2030.
The new battery assembly plant and flight test hangar are located at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport (EDMO) in Bavaria, Germany, near Munich.
Photo Credit: NRG2fly
Electric Aircraft
AIR Surpasses $1 Billion in Orders for Smart eVTOL Aircraft
Israel’s AIR reaches $1 billion in eVTOL orders, reporting $35 million revenue and FAA certification progress for AIR ONE personal aircraft.
This article is based on an official press release from AIR.
Smart aircraft manufacturer AIR has officially surpassed $1 billion in orders, signaling strong market interest in its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. According to a company press release, the Israel-based firm has accumulated a waitlist of more than 3,300 customers, with many having already placed deposits for future deliveries.
The milestone highlights the growing demand for next-generation air mobility solutions across personal, commercial, and defense sectors. AIR reported over $35 million in booked revenue to date, which the company attributes primarily to the sale and delivery of its Heavy-Lift unmanned aerial systems (UAS), alongside mobile ground control stations, parts, and servicing packages.
As the eVTOL industry moves closer to widespread commercialization, AIR is positioning itself to capitalize on emerging regulatory frameworks. The manufacturer noted that its flagship personal aircraft, the AIR ONE, is currently being considered under the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certificates (MOSAIC) framework as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).
The bulk of the company’s billion-dollar backlog stems from its consumer-focused model. In its official announcement, AIR detailed that 3,290 of the orders are for the AIR ONE personal aircraft. This two-seat, fully electric eVTOL is designed for private use and boasts a projected range of 100 miles.
According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the AIR ONE can reach speeds of up to 155 miles per hour and carry a payload of up to 550 pounds. The company stated that these personal aircraft orders will be fulfilled once FAA certification is secured and mass production begins. The aircraft also features redundant safety layers, an airframe parachute system, and “Fly-By-Intent” flight control technology.
Beyond personal mobility, AIR is also seeing traction in the commercial and logistics space. The press release indicated that the company has secured more than 25 orders for its AIR Cargo heavy-lift UAS, with two units already delivered to customers.
The cargo variant features a 70-cubic-foot cargo bay and matches the personal model’s 550-pound payload capacity. AIR confirmed it has an active production line for the heavy-lift aircraft and anticipates producing and delivering more than 20 additional units this year. The surge in orders follows a series of strategic and financial developments for the eVTOL developer. In July of last year, AIR closed a $23 million Series A funding round led by Entrée Capital, with participation from early backer Dr. Shmuel Harlap.
Furthermore, the company announced in September that its latest U.S.-based prototype had received an FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certification. These regulatory and financial steps are crucial as the company transitions from prototyping to scalable manufacturing, supported by partnerships with the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program, ST Engineering, Nidec Motors, and EDAG.
“Our mission is to make air mobility accessible and routine, while bridging personal, commercial, and defense transportation and operations,” said Rani Plaut, CEO and Co-Founder of AIR, in the press release.
The announcement of $1 billion in orders is a significant indicator of consumer and commercial appetite for eVTOL technology. However, as with many advanced air mobility startups, the transition from pre-orders to delivered, certified aircraft remains the ultimate hurdle. The fact that AIR is already generating real revenue, $35 million booked from its heavy-lift UAS and support systems, sets it apart from competitors that rely entirely on future passenger operations.
By targeting the Light Sport Aircraft category under the FAA’s MOSAIC framework, AIR may find a more streamlined path to market for its personal vehicles compared to the rigorous commercial passenger certification processes faced by air taxi operators. We will continue to monitor their production ramp-up, particularly whether they can meet their goal of delivering more than 20 cargo units this year.
The AIR ONE is a two-seater, fully electric eVTOL designed for personal use. According to the manufacturer, it features a 100-mile range, speeds up to 155 mph, and a 550-pound payload capacity.
The company reported over $35 million in book revenue, driven largely by its Heavy-Lift UAS deliveries, mobile ground control stations, parts, and servicing packages.
In September, AIR’s U.S.-based eVTOL prototype received an FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certification. The AIR ONE is also being considered within the Light Sport Aircraft category under the FAA’s MOSAIC framework.
AIR Surpasses $1 Billion in Orders for Smart Aircraft and eVTOLs
Breaking Down the $1 Billion Order Book
Commercial and Heavy-Lift UAS Progress
Recent Milestones and Strategic Partnerships
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AIR ONE?
How much revenue has AIR generated?
Has the FAA certified AIR’s aircraft?
Sources
Photo Credit: AIR
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