Munich, 30 January 2025 – CycloTech, a global innovator in aviation propulsion systems, has announced the establishment of a subsidiary in Bavaria, Germany. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in the industrial scaling of its revolutionary CycloRotor technology an advanced propulsion system poised to redefine the future of electric flight.
The prospect of electric-powered aviation has drawn increasing interest in recent years, not only from the aerospace industry but also from climate-conscious travelers and innovators seeking greener solutions. As we look towards 2025, a realistic overview of what we can expect in this emerging field helps ground our hopes while providing insight into the technical advances and challenges still to be addressed.
The battery for Sora Aviation’s electric aircraft is already undergoing extensive development, showcasing the company’s commitment to ensuring that the vehicle will be not only efficient but also reliable when it enters commercial service. This advanced battery system, critical to the aircraft’s performance, is being designed to meet the unique demands of electric aviation, where both weight and energy density play pivotal roles in determining range and efficiency.
After a long wait, the world’s first zero-emission aircraft are finally a reality. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified a two-seater aircraft made in Slovenia for flight. Within a few years, it would be certified in the UK, the US, and other regions. The Pipistrel Velis Electro became the first fully certified electric aircraft in the world and remains the only one with full certification. However, the uptake of electric aircraft is still a long way off. Despite the growing number of cleaner aircraft being developed, significant questions remain about the alternative fuels needed to power them, and the political will to implement these technologies is still uncertain.
Electric flight integrates advanced software systems, IoT connectivity, and AI-driven controls, significantly expanding the attack surface for potential cyber threats. Unlike traditional aviation systems that relied heavily on isolated and protected networks, electric flight technologies are often more interconnected, utilizing cloud services, 5G networks, and edge computing for real-time data analysis and decision-making. This interconnectedness increases the risk of cyber intrusions that could disrupt not just individual flights but entire fleets of autonomous aircraft operating in urban environments.
Researchers at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) in China have made significant progress in the development of the Organic Flow Battery (OAAB): the new device retains 99.95% of its capacity after 850 charging cycles. This breakthrough was achieved with naphthalene-based organic redox-active molecules (ORAMs), marking a major milestone in battery technology.