U R B A N A I R M O B I L I T Y
by-case approach to eVTOL aircraft so far, whereas the
European Aviation Safety Administration’s approach is more
standardized. Each approach has its own set of drawbacks
and advantages.
McFarren says, “We are looking at the UAS Unmanned
Aerial Systems exemptions that are coming out and
considering them precedence, because they are giving us
insight into what regulators are thinking. They have to fit into
existing framework and make adjustments.
Meanwhile manufacturers and companies, including
those from outside of the aviation industry such as Uber
(see box: Uber aims to lead the eVTOL charge), are trying to
work out how they are going to make money from operating
eVTOL aircraft. “It requires a different approach, but it’s a
continuum,” says McFarren. “Some of the manufacturers
believe that they will operate their own aircraft for reasons of
safety. But there will probably be a mix of operators.”
Speed and convenience
Glenn Isbell, vice president of prototyping at Bell, which is
developing the Nexus eVTOL, believes the aircraft could
affect business aviation operations between cities more than
inside them. “Business aviation doesn’t really serve
cross-town traffic. But when you get into thin haul, that does
impact business aviation. It will be interesting to see what
happens between certain city pairs,” he says.
“It will be intriguing to see what happens in the coming
years. Business aviation customers are paying for speed
and convenience. If you can’t provide that with eVTOLs you
won’t have a solution,” he adds.
Urban air taxis could be
transporting people above our
cities within the next five years.
At the recent NBAA-BACE event,
the association was promoting
electric vertical take off and
landing aircraft as a major technical trend important for the
future of the business aviation sector. Labeled as examples
of “urban air mobility” concepts, several futuristic prototypes
dominated the exhibition near the keynote presentation
area. The futuristic aircraft attracted plenty of attention from
curious visitors.
Industry experts speaking at the event in Las Vegas
on the topic of UAM (urban air mobility) also seemed
impressed. There was consensus at the conference that
this new type of aircraft will impact the business aviation
sector. Lindsey McFarren, president of McFarren Aviation
Consulting, which works with manufacturers and aircraft
operators to develop strategy, plan operations, and ensure
regulatory compliance said she believes an eVTOL aircraft
will be certified by the FAA by 2024. “The technology has
improved so rapidly, UAM has moved from a pipe dream
to an eventuality quickly. On the regulatory side there is an
appetite for it to advance,” she said.
Most experts agree that eVTOLs will be certified and
appearing above our cities within the next five years.
However, whether the first will appear in the USA, Europe or
elsewhere is a matter of debate. Regulation and certification
have a massive role to play in eVTOL aircraft’s introduction.
The Federal Aviation Administration is taking a case-
Above: A live demonstration
of the Volocopter eVTOL took
place during October 2019
in Singapore
Right: Skyports’ Voloport in
Singapore is the world’s first
landing pad for air taxis
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