Beta Technologies and Toyota Motor North America among the latest companies to join GAMA as members
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has welcomed five new members, including eVTOL aircraft developer Beta Technologies and Toyota Motor North America, which has partnered with Joby Aviation on the production of its own aircraft.
In a press release announcing the news, Beta has joined as an Associate Member, while Toyota Motor North America is an Associate Member EPIC. The remaining companies to join GAMA as members include Airbus Corporate Jets, Hartzell Engine Technologies and Incora.
The list of eVTOL aircraft developers joining GAMA continues to grow, with Joby, Kitty Hawk, Genesis Air Mobility – a brand of Hyundai — Lilium and Wisk all Associate Members Full. Similar to Toyota Motor North America, Alaka’i Technologies, Volocopter, AutoFlightX, Overair, Piasecki Aircraft and XTI Aircraft are also Associate Members EPIC.
Founded in 2017 by Kyle Clark, who is recognised in eVTOL Insights’ first Power Book, Beta Technologies is among one of the most advanced eVTOL aircraft developers in the market.
Before revealing its latest eVTOL, ALIA, the company conducted an intensive testing campaign with a smaller prototype called AVA. It already has United Therapeutics as a launch customer, which will use the aircraft to transport human organs.
And as well as its aircraft, Beta Technologies has also developed landing infrastructure solutions. The ability to provide rapid recharge comes from a 250 kW AC/DC inverter connected directly to the grid, while the inclusion of an optional battery energy storage module reduces demand charges of utility-supplied power — especially during peak use times, and enables aircraft to charge during power outages.
And in a separate press release issued earlier this week, GAMA has also announced that Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt and Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX and Executive Chairman of Eviation, have been appointed to serve as co-chairs of the Electric Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC).
The committee works to create an environment conducive to efficient design, production, operation and maintenance of hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft, including eVTOLs.
This will be Bevirt and Ganzarski’s first time serving on the Executive Committee. Bevirt has been a member of the GAMA Board of Directors since 2018 and Ganzarski has been a member since 2019.