The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) is increasing its outreach to the growing eVTOL sector with new personnel, workshops, and partnerships.
VFS has announced that James Sherman is joining the organization as director of strategic development, responsible for promoting membership development and growth. Sherman previously worked for SAE International for more than eight years as the lead event developer for aerospace and automotive technology.
At VFS, Sherman will particularly focus on “The Electric VTOL Revolution,” the society’s vision for a radical transformation of air transportation using a new generation of eVTOL aircraft. According to executive director Mike Hirschberg, VFS now has more than 70 corporate member companies working on eVTOL developments and was the first global technical society to embrace the potential of eVTOL with its full support.
“We are very pleased to have Jim join the team. His unique background will strengthen VFS and our support to the eVTOL community,” Hirschberg stated in a press release.
In January, Rex Alexander, president of Five-Alpha LLC, also joined VFS as the advisor for VTOL infrastructure. Alexander has more than 35 years’ experience as a civil, military, and air ambulance helicopter pilot/mechanic and VTOL infrastructure advisor.
VFS has also announced several upcoming events. VFS held the world’s first workshop on “Transformative Vertical Flight” electric aircraft in 2014, and is planning its 7th Annual Electric VTOL Symposium in San Jose, California, Jan. 21-23, 2020.
Additionally, VFS will be offering its first dedicated Workshop on eVTOL Defining Challenges, Sept. 10-12, 2019, in the Washington, D.C. area. Covering air vehicle design for certification, infrastructure, and airspace management, this will be the first in a new series of workshops on the defining challenges of eVTOL developments.
VFS has also now partnered with the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation to support its 13th annual Electric Aircraft Symposium (EAS), to be held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, July 20-21, 2019, just prior to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh. (See www.CAFE.foundation for details.)
“CAFE Foundation has been leading electric aircraft developments — originally focused on electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) applications — and hosting its annual Electric Aircraft Symposium since 2007,” Hirschberg stated. “The Vertical Flight Society is pleased to partner with CAFE Foundation to expand our mutual goal of educating and supporting the growth of electric aviation.”
