In September 2026, Rolls-Royce hosted a delegation from the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU) at its facilities in Derby, United Kingdom, to review the manufacturer’s progress on its UltraFan engine architecture and Hydrogen propulsion research.

The visit, detailed in a Rolls-Royce press release, highlighted the ongoing public-private collaboration aimed at decarbonizing European aviation. The partnership focuses on maturing technologies required to meet the European Union (EU) target of a minimum 30% emission footprint reduction for short-medium range and regional aircraft compared to 2020 standards.

Advancing the UltraFan demonstrator programs

During the visit, Rolls-Royce showcased the next phase of testing for its UltraFan 80 demonstrator and the ongoing development of the scaled-down UltraFan 30 demonstrator. The UltraFan 30 is specifically targeted at future narrowbody aircraft applications.

In March 2026, Rolls-Royce secured €64 million in EU funding to lead the UNIFIED (Ultra Novel and Innovative Fully Integrated Engine Demonstrations) project. This consortium is tasked with maturing these propulsion technologies, with ground testing of the UltraFan 30 demonstrator scheduled for 2028.

Alan Newby, Director of Research and Technology at Rolls-Royce, emphasized the necessity of the partnership.

“Collaboration is critical if we are to accelerate the development and demonstration of the technologies that could shape the next generation of aviation, and visits like this give us an important opportunity to align on the challenges ahead and the progress we can make together.”

Hydrogen research and European funding

Beyond the UltraFan architecture, the delegation reviewed progress on the HEAVEN and CAVENDISH projects. The CAVENDISH initiative is focused on developing enabling combustion and engine system technologies for hydrogen-powered gas turbines.

The CAJU operates with a total budget of €4.1 billion, consisting of €1.7 billion in EU funding and €2.4 billion from private investments. The combined EU contribution to the HEAVEN, UNIFIED, and CAVENDISH projects totals approximately €115 million.

Axel Krein, Executive Director of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, noted the financial and technical scope of the collaboration.

“We are pleased to continue our strong partnership with Rolls-Royce through HEAVEN and UNIFIED projects, which are advancing the UltraFan 30 technologies, and through CAVENDISH, which is developing the enabling combustion and engine system technologies for hydrogen-powered gas turbines with a combined EU contribution of ~115M.”

AirPro News analysis

We note that the transition from the UltraFan 80 demonstrator to the UltraFan 30 highlights Rolls-Royce’s strategic pivot toward the future narrowbody market. While the manufacturers currently dominates the widebody sector with its Trent engine family, securing a foothold in the next-generation single-aisle market is a critical long-term objective. The substantial financial backing from the European Union mitigates the high research and development costs associated with novel propulsion architectures, allowing Rolls-Royce to maintain momentum toward the planned 2028 ground tests.

Sources: Rolls-Royce

On September 9, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Bye Aerospace for its all-electric eFlyer 2 training aircraft, clearing the manufacturer to commence its flight test program at Centennial Airport in Colorado.

The issuance of the certificate marks a critical regulatory milestone for the two-seat aircraft, transitioning the program from ground evaluation to active flight testing. In a press release announcing the authorization, Bye Aerospace confirmed the approval validates the structural and systems work completed over the past year.

Transition to flight testing

Prior to receiving FAA authorization, engineers at Bye Aerospace completed final aircraft systems integration, electrical system validation, and operational ground testing. The company utilized a truck-mounted mobile test rig, designated “The Beast,” to aid in propulsion system testing. The structural build of the eFlyer 2 concluded in July 2026 following months of structural and propulsion validation.

“We’ve worked hand in hand with the FAA since 2016 to help advance the certification framework for electric aircraft,” said Bye Aerospace CEO Rod Zastrow. “In just a year, we’ve built and tested this game-changing all-electric-aviation aircraft, and receiving the Special Airworthiness Certificate is an important validation of that work.”

Zastrow added that the company will now focus on executing the flight test program to continue its progress toward full FAA certification.

Supply chain and aircraft specifications

The eFlyer 2 airframe is constructed from 275 composite parts. In June 2026, Bye Aerospace finalized its global supplier network for the program. According to reporting by Aviation International News, key technology partners include Safran Electrical and Power for the electric motor, MagniX USA providing the battery modules, and Toray Composite Materials America supplying the composite materials. Garmin is providing the avionics suite, featuring the touchscreen G500 TXi display.

AirPro News analysis

The FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate is a mandatory gate for any new aircraft design entering flight testing, but it carries distinct weight for electric propulsion systems. Because the regulatory framework for all-electric aircraft is still maturing, the progression of the eFlyer 2 provides a template for how the FAA will handle battery and electric motor certification for future training fleets. We expect the flight test data gathered at Centennial Airport will directly inform the final certification standards applied to this emerging class of aircraft.

Sources: Bye Aerospace

Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) completed a piloted roundtrip flight of its Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft between two California cities on September 4, 2026, marking the inaugural leg of its nationwide flight test campaign.

Announced in a company press release on September 8, 2026, the flight connected Salinas Municipal Airport and Hollister Municipal Airport. The operation serves as the first stop on Archer’s “No Roads” tour, a program designed to demonstrate the aircraft’s viability on real-world, city-to-city routes ahead of planned commercial operations.

Operational milestones in California

During the September 4 flight, the Midnight aircraft covered a total distance of over 40 miles. The eVTOL completed each leg of the roundtrip in 12 minutes, a route that typically requires 40 minutes or more by car. Flight telemetry released by the company indicates the aircraft reached a top speed of 125 mph and maintained a cruising altitude of 3,550 feet.

This city-to-city operation follows a high-tempo testing period for the Manufacturers. In August 2026, Archer completed more than 70 test flights. That testing block included a separate piloted roundtrip flight between Salinas Municipal Airport and Monterey Regional Airport.

Preparing for the LA28 Olympics and federal integration

The “No Roads” tour is scheduled to expand across multiple states. According to a September 3, 2026, announcement, future flight locations will include San Martin, San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco, and the Los Angeles area in California, followed by planned operations in Texas and Florida.

The tour is structured to advance the company’s operational readiness for two major upcoming initiatives. The first is the White House’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which aims to coordinate federal efforts for advanced air mobility. The second is Archer’s designated role as the Official Air Taxi Provider for the LA28 Olympic Games.

The cross-country flights also coincide with the rollout of charging infrastructure across multiple states under the America’s Consortium for Electric Skyways (ACES) program.

“On Friday, Midnight flew between two California communities in a fraction of the time the trip would take by car. That’s the point of the ‘No Roads’ tour: bring Midnight to cities across America, fly real routes, and build the operational muscle for eIPP operations and LA28 alongside the FAA. Every route we fly makes the next one easier. By the time the world comes to LA for the Games, people will be ready for it.”

The statement was provided by Adam Goldstein, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Archer Aviation.

AirPro News analysis

We note that Archer’s transition from localized hover and transition testing to actual point-to-point cross-country flights represents a necessary maturation phase for eVTOL developers. By flying between established municipal Airports, the company is testing not just the airframe, but the airspace integration and operational logistics required for the eIPP and eventual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Certification. Sustaining a high flight cadence, as seen with the 70 flights in August 2026, will be critical for generating the reliability data the FAA requires for type certification.

Sources: Archer Aviation Inc.