Aerospace

UPS Flight Forward to add 150 electric aircraft for small and mid-size markets

UPS Flight Forward to add 10 electric aircraft small and mid-size markets

UPS Flight Forward plans to buy state-of-the-art aircraft.

Beta Technologies’ electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to land on-property at UPS facilities in small and mid-size markets.
Enhances UPS network flexibility benefits healthcare providers and small and medium-sized businesses.
A flexible, sustainable solution to reduce air network emissions; recharging stations can also be used with electric-powered ground vehicles.

Flight and Operation:

UPS, together with its UPS Flight Forward subsidiary focused on drone delivery, plans to purchase electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Beta Technologies (BETA) to expand its air service. It benefits healthcare providers and small and mid-size businesses with its support. These aircraft will take off and land directly on UPS property, it can move smaller loads that would take longer time by ground or small aircraft, with its low noise operation, less time in transit, zero-emission and low operating cost eVTOL aircraft is perfect for UPS.

UPS states:

“This is all about innovation with a focus on returns for our business, our customers, and the environment,” said UPS Chief Information and Engineering Officer Juan Perez. “These new aircraft will create operational efficiencies in our business, open possibilities for new services, and serve as a foundation for future solutions to reduce the emissions profile of our air and ground operation.”

Aircraft range:

The BETA aircraft has a 1,400-pound (635 kg) cargo capacity with a 250-miles (400 km) range and cruising speed of up to 170 miles per hour, UPS Flight Forward scheduled to take delivery of its BETA eVOTL aircraft in 2024, with an option to purchase up to 150 aircraft.

Recharging stations:

UPS has reserved BETA’s recharging stations and ensures safe and rapid charging of the aircraft in under one hour to facilitates faster cargo loading and unloading. The charging station also offers the aircraft’s batteries a second life cycle. After the batteries’ first life cycle in the aircraft concludes, they can be fitted to the charging stations to recharge the aircraft’s onboard batteries as well as UPS’s fleet of electric ground vehicles. UPS currently operates more than 12,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and announced a commitment to purchase up to 10,000 Arrival electric vehicles.

FAA Certifies:

UPS Flight Forward received the first U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 135 Standard air carrier certification to operate a drone airline and is operating daily revenue-generating flights with drones.

FAA mandatory Rules for Instagram Pilots Footage

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.