At the NBAA-BACE 2022 aviation conference in Orlando, Florida earlier this month, electric aircraft propulsion developer Magnix announced that it will now begin developing hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion solutions in addition to its current hybrid and all-electric propulsion programs.

Above: An image of eViation’s Alice 9-passenger electric aircraft in its first flight, powered by two of Magnix‘s 650-kilowatt electric motors

Magnix has been working on becoming a global leader in electric aircraft propulsion systems for several years. A first major announcement came from the company in 2020, when it flew a fully-electric modified Cessna Grand Caravan, making it the largest all-electric aircraft ever to take flight at the time. Since then, the company has made massive strides by partnering with Harbour Air to create the world’s first all-electric airline, and also by partnering with Eviation, Blade Air Mobility, and even with Surf Air.

Since its inception, Magnix has worked hard to branch out its offerings for zero-emission propulsion, already having announced several iterations of its all-electric and hybrid-electric units. Now, the company has also announced development of hydrogen fuel-cell power production units, likely to be paired with its electric motors for many aircraft.

Said MagniX CEO Nuno Taborda, “The future of sustainable aviation will require a mix of solutions. We are bringing our experience and expertise to advance hydrogen fuel cell technology, which will enable us to power even more aircraft.”

Simon Roads, MagniX’s head of marketing, commented: “We’re very focused on battery development, and we’re also very focused on hydrogen fuel cell development. We’re very focused on battery development, and we’re also very focused on hydrogen fuel cell development.”

Above: Testing a hydrogen fuel-cell aircraft propulsion system

Why it’s important: With this latest announcement, Magnix continues to push forward its breadth of zero-emissions propulsion offerings. Through doing so, the company further solidifies its place as a solid and well-versed provider of these products. As the demand for zero-emissions aviation propulsion rises, more and more aircraft developers will be looking for partners like Magnix, even further growing this new company’s standing in the global propulsion market.

Sources // Magnix, FutureFlight, eViation

Related:

• Eviation’s first all-electric airplane takes flight (September 2022)
• Blade Partners with magniX for Electrification of Lima Cessnas (May 2021)
• Harbour Air Completes First All-Electric Powered Flight (December 2019)
• Australian Airline Skytrans Partners with Stralis for Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Aircraft (July 2021)
• Plug Power Invests in Airflow’s eSTOL for Hydrogen Propulsion (October 2021)
• Airbus Focuses on Hydrogen Power for Flight (September 2021)

Surf Air Mobility announced on May 18th signature of contracts with magniX, a leader in electric aviation propulsion, and AeroTEC, a premier aircraft development and integration company, to develop and certify hybrid and fully-electric powertrains for new and existing Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. These hybrid and fully-electric aircraft will be designed to reduce operating costs and emissions and greatly improve the affordability of regional air mobility.

Further, the mobility company announced a business combination agreement with Tuscan Holdings Corp. II (“THCA”), that will result in Surf Air Mobility becoming a publicly listed company (subject to approval of certain conditions).

Surf Air Mobility shared in a statement that it plans to develop supplemental type certificates (“STC”) for its proprietary electrification solutions, powered by magniX’s market-leading electric propulsion units (“EPUs”). AeroTEC will provide engineering, testing, program management, and certification expertise to support design, development, and FAA Certification. magniX and AeroTEC have successfully flown a fully-electric Cessna Grand Caravan 208B, demonstrating the technology and proving the feasibility of the future of electrified air travel.

Surf Air Mobility intends to first develop and commercialize hybrid electric aircraft to accelerate entry into market for operators and consumers of sustainable air travel without the need for charging infrastructure. The hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravans will, in due course, be operated on Surf Air Mobility’s consumer platform and intends to make these available to third-party operators.

SAM’s first-generation hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravans are being designed to target carbon emissions reductions of up to 50% and direct operating cost reductions of up to 25%. The Company anticipates its initial hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravans, once developed, will have the same flight range as their turbine combustion engine counterpart, allowing the hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravan to operate on regional routes across the US. The hybrid electric Cessna Grand Caravans will not require charging infrastructure on the ground.

Why it’s important: This announcement follows a trend of many mobility companies announcing integration or investments in electric aircraft to their fleets, to allow for the baseline infrastructure to be established ahead of the ultimate goal of a fully electrified fleet of aircraft. Further, the trend of hybrid-electric aircraft serving as the first iteration away from the currently all combustion engine fleets of Part 135 and Part 121 operators will likely mirror the ultimate shift of the industry towards fully electric and autonomous vehicles, as the technological shifts are worked piecemeal over time.

Blade Urban Mobility Inc. and magniX have partnered to integrate magniX’s Electric Propulsion Units into Lima’s Blade-branded fleet of Cessna Caravans, an amphibious aircraft used by Blade in their aerial mobility routes. The integration is expected to be finished by early 2023, where each all-electric Caravan will operate in zero-emissions while maintaining the current performance standards for the Caravan, and outputting significantly less noise footprints with lowered operating costs.

As part of the partnership, Lima will be the exclusive owner of the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Caravan’s conversion from the turbine engine to the magniX EPU in the northeastern part of the United States. Currently, Blade is the exclusive platform for Lima flights for public use in the United States, where key routes include trips between the Blade Aqua Lounge at the East 23rd Street seaplane base in New York City, the eastern end of Long Island, and the Blade Terminal in Nantucket, Massachusetts.

The Cessna Caravan, provided by Lima and Blade. Photograph: magniX

According to Blade president Melssia Tomkiel, “Amphibious seaplane service has always been an essential part of our urban air mobility strategy, given the aircraft’s unique ability to access city centers through conveniently located waterways, such as Manhattan’s East River, as well as traditional airports. The electrification of our accessible fleet of Blade-branded aircraft, made possible through our alliance with magniX and Lima, one of our key operating partners, will further accelerate our transition to quiet, emission-free flight, allowing us to reduce the environmental and sound impact in and around the communities where we fly.”

Another aircraft that will soon be added to Blade’s fleet: The BETA Technologies ALIA. Photograph: Blade

Additionally, according to magniX CEO Roei Ganzarski, “Partnering with Blade and Lima to bring electric aviation to one of the largest cities, and highly populated regions in the United States, is an incredible proof point to the value of offering communities zero emissions, reduced noise, and lower operating costs. With electric propulsion as our cornerstone, magniX continues to build toward the new electric age of aviation.”

This partnership is subject to the FAA”s approval of the STC as well as both parties entering into further agreements, but is expected to pass with no issues.

Photograph: Blade

Why it’s important: This recent partnership between Blade and Lima is one of many exciting announcements from BLADE, which also recently signed with Beta Technologies to acquire up to 20 of BETA’s ALIA eVTOL aircraft. Through Blade’s agreement with magniX, one of the largest current aerial mobility providers continues to move in the direction of electrification for their fleet.
Source // Business Wire

After a somewhat turbulent history, Eviation’s Alice is once again on track to begin manufacturing of its all-electric, 9 passenger fixed-wing aircraft.

The Eviation Alice prototype in its hangar

Designed specifically for regional mobility, with a range of up to 440NM and a cruise speed of 220kts, Eviation’s Alice features an extremely sleek design, giving off a high impression of luxury for such a small aircraft. According to Co-Founder and CEO of Eviation, the company believes that ‘electrification and democratization’ represents the future of passenger aviation. Its claimed mission is to ‘change the way people travel regionally through affordable, sustainable aviation.”

Eviation has now taken a significant step forward by partnering with electric propulsion specialist MagniX for its electric propulsion system. For several years now, MagniX has been working hard to develop advanced propulsion units for electric aviation, and is responsible for creating one of the world’s largest flying electric aircraft, the modified ‘eBeaver’ seaplane, which was part of a deal with Canada’s Harbour Air to electrify its entire fleet within the next 10-15 years. Although MagniX has retrofitted aircraft with its electric propulsion systems before, the Eviation Alice will be its first aircraft that was designed to be electric from the ground up.

MagniX’s EPUs (electric propulsion systems) are well flight-proven with many test flights in existing aircraft, and are on a path to FAA Part 33 certification in 2022. The EPUs offer an exceptional level of redundancy and reliability with consistent performance, as well as high levels of energy-use efficiency and low sound emissions profiles.

Interior of the Eviation Alice

Said Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay, “The magniX delivery is one of the key milestones in getting emission free, low-cost, all-electric aviation off the ground with the first flight of Alice. We’re confident the system will propel us to bringing Alice to market and delivering a sustainable, scalable mobility solution that will revolutionize passenger and cargo flights.”

Commented Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX, “The Alice is the epitome of the future of air transportation. All-electric by design, taking advantage of light-weight powerful and reliable propulsion systems. Together, we will enable a great flying experience – zero emissions, quieter, lower cost, all from and to airports closer to more communities. ”

Why it’s important: MagniX’s work represents the next big step in getting electric aircraft into the skies. Starting out by retrofitting existing ICE aircraft with electric propulsion, the company is now moving up to making systems for aircraft that are electric from the ground up. As MagniX evolves into creating electric propulsion for new kinds of aircraft, it is likely that many eVTOL companies may turn to the company for their own electric propulsion systems. In addition, the success of MagniX’s propulsion systems in the skies with Alice will set an industry precedent for other electric aircraft certification, including eVTOLs.

Source // PR Newswire

magniX, an Everett, WA based company that is producing electric motors for aircraft, recently shared noise testing results from flight tests of its all-electric floatplane, the eBeaver. These tests emphasize the reductions in noise pollution from an electric aircraft versus conventional internal combustion engine powered airframes. While the results are not entirely surprising, they substantiate the benefits of electric motors as both more efficient and quieter than currently available ICE engines. These qualities are key enabling aspects of the growing eVTOL industry, as they support the value proposition for continued investment and development of suitable electric alternatives to the currently available general aviation or light aircraft powerplant.

eBeaver noise testing results

a bar chart of the typical noise levels of the eBeaver aircraft in various phases of operation. Image // magniX

magniX referenced in its press release a study from the Noise and Health International Journal, which found that aircraft noise is one of the most detrimental environmental effects of the aviation industry. This study solidly supported the magniX’s vision for replacing combustion engines with all-electric motors. In particular, the study stated that aviation noise related to ICE engines has the potential to disrupt sleep, adversely affect academic performance in children and even increase the risk for cardiovascular disease of people living near airports. While the general aviation industry did not grow significantly during the past year, projections of the demand for smaller short to medium range aircraft that are efficient and cost effective do provide reinforcement for the value of creating suitable electric alternatives to ICE powered aircraft.

magniX’s data shows an average noise reduction of 16-22 dBA across all phases of flight when comparing the electric ‘eBeaver’ to a traditional ICE-powered Beaver. The eBeaver recorded noise levels of 20.8 dBA lower on average during the takeoff phase and 24 dBA lower at peak compared to the standard Beaver. Noise energy, which is calculated by weighed factors for peak amplitude, and duration, is on the order of 100 times lower in the eBeaver than on a standard Beaver.

“Intuitively, we knew electric powered aircraft should be quieter than traditional powered aircraft, but these results highlight just how significant the difference is which is pretty amazing,” said Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX. “These results are great news for residential communities near airports. A significant overall reduction in aviation-related noise will allow more flexibility in terms of flight times and flight volumes, promoting greater mobility, connection and broader choice in smaller and regional airports.”

Noise regulations continue to be tightened over time by regulators such as the FAA and EASA to help restrict the amount of noise pollution emitted from aircraft. Electric aircraft will enable increased flexibility in operators’ selection of airports and times of operation, as some airports maintain a limited set of hours during which traditional combustion-powered airplanes can perform takeoffs and landings.

Why it’s important: The flight test noise data from magniX’s electric Beaver are clear: electric motors reduce the noise signature in small aircraft such as seaplanes, especially during noisy portions of flight, such as takeoff and when high power settings are used. These same results and powerplant technologies, when applied to eVTOL aircraft, will allow for greater route options and flexibility given a larger suite of airport destinations that are available to aircraft with lower noise emissions.

JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Roei Ganzarski, CEO of magniX and Executive Chairman of Eviation, will 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.

Joby Aviation’s latest eVTOL. Credit // Joby

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) exists to “foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the global business and general aviation industry.” This includes promoting a better understanding of general aviation manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul and the important role these industry segments play in economic growth and opportunity, and in serving the critical transportation needs of communities, companies, and individuals worldwide. The Executive Committee is comprised of members of GAMA’s Board of Directors, who provide strategic leadership for the association and lead its policy committees. The additions to the GAMA Executive Committee were elected by the Board of Directors during its Winter Board Meeting.

Santa Cruz-based company Joby Aviation has raised $910 million and aims to have an electric vertical take-off and landing air taxi service operating by 2024. In late February, Joby announced it will list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a business combination deal with Reinvent Technology Partners, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Joby is backed by Toyota and Uber Technologies.

Related: Joby Aviation Releases First Footage of Air Taxi Prototype in FlightMeanwhile, Ganzarksi is also executive chairman of electric airplane maker Eviation, whose new regional all-electric airplanes will be powered by MagniX motors. Eviation is setting up a new assembly facility in Arlington, according to the Puget Sound Business Journal. Both MagniX and Eviation are part of Clermont Group, owned by Singapore-based billionaire Richard Chandler.

Why it’s important: GAMA has a widespread, global reach with members throughout the world, including in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, and the Middle East. Its members also are world-renowned for their ability to efficiently operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. By initiating a relationship with firmly-established companies across the globe, Joby Aviation and magniX are well-situated to expand their products and services once they have been certified and are manufactured at scale for implementation in revenue-generating commercial services. Further, the addition of electric aviation-focused leaders to GAMA’s Executive Committee gives the aerial mobility industry a larger voice in its advancement and integration in to general aviation.

Sources // GAMA; Puget Sound Business Journal

The two companies completed installation of the MagniX motor on a de Havilland Canada prototype

Harbour Air Seaplanes recently entered a partnership with MagniX in order to begin the conversion to the first all-electric airline. For that purpose, the company has installed the MagniX electric motor onto a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, and plans to complete the prototype soon in order to begin testing. 

“With incredible work being completed each day and a number of integral components being delivered over the next few weeks, we are in the midst of some of the most exciting and critical development work. Currently, we are on track for the first test flight to take place before the end of the year. By mid-November, we expect to have a concrete time-frame to test the first fully electric flight.”

Harbour Air announced that the 560kW magni500 electric motor, along with other components, had been installed onto the aircraft. What now remains is the final battery strings, development and installations of wiring, installation of a battery management unit and power system, as well as preliminary tests for the prototype. The company announced the aircraft conversion is progressing normally, and should enter testing by the end of the year.

Harbour Air and MagniX’s prototype aircraft, currently under construction.

“With the delivery and successful installation of the magniX motor, we are working hard to connect the internal systems in preparation for its first flight,” the company wrote. Harbour Air is strongly dedicated to the full conversion to electric; Greg McDougall, founder and CEO of Harbour Air believes that electric planes will reduce long-term costs for their fleet. “Electric motors are extremely reliable. They don’t have the same number of moving parts as a turbine or piston engine and they have much better durability,” he said in a statement in March.

The goal of the company is to eventually transition over to a fully electric fleet. However, since the new design still needs approval from both Transport Canada and the Federal Aviation Administration, Harbour Air reported that their new aircraft would not fly commercially until 2022 at the earliest. 

Why it’s important: Harbour Air presents an ideal airline for the conversion to a fully-electric fleet, as their flight routes consist of domestic flights in the PNW region. As a result, the current limited operational range of electric motor technology will not have as large of an impact compared to other airlines. The successful conversion of Harbour Air’s fleet will present a valuable opportunity to further develop and refine electric battery technology, which could potentially improve the utility of fully electric eVTOL aircraft.

Source // New Atlas

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Cyclorotor unveiled footage of the first flight of their Bumblebee2.0 concept with an Enhanced Propulsion system last week. The flight occurred at the end of August, 2023. This aircraft showcases a unique configuration, featuring four CR42 CycloRotors and an advanced flight control system. The launch of the outdoor flight campaign marks progress toward development of CYCLOROTOR’s unique aviation propulsion system.

The flight demonstration took place at a general aviation airport in Austria. CYCLOROTOR shares that their outdoor flight operations adhere to all applicable regulations set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), operating under the UAS operational authorization for the “specific” category.

Over the coming months, Cyclorotor plans to demonstrate the capabilities of its 360° thrust vectoring CycloRotors. These innovative propulsion units are based off of a design that’s over 100 years old and can challenge traditional aerial mobility industry aircraft configurations. However, not all are in agreement of the level of enhanced maneuverability, stability, and efficiency in flight offered by this unique configuration. CYCLOROTOR aims to systematically expand the flight envelope, further exploring and collecting data on the performance of their unique aircraft design.

While the debut of Bumblebee2.0 represents a unique application of a novel propulsion and lifting concept that is over a century old, it is important to note that this novel configuration may only partially permeate into limited applications in the drone industry. As with any unique configuration, widespread adoption often requires time and industry-wide acceptance in addition to successful, demonstrated performance.

Why it’s important: CYCLOROTOR has invited aviation enthusiasts, industry stakeholders, and the public to stay tuned for more updates as they continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of aerial mobility. While their novel configuration is still not proven for widespread application, the team is making strides toward advancement of a unique type of aircraft and collecting data that can be used to improve future variants.

VoltAero has achieved a significant milestone by conducting a flight using its proprietary electric-hybrid powertrain, fueled entirely by sustainable bioethanol from TotalEnergies. The landmark event took place at VoltAero’s development facility in Royan, France, and represents a giant stride towards greener and more sustainable aviation.

The successful flight test utilized VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed airplane, serving as a crucial validation step for both the electric-hybrid powertrain and the use of sustainable fuels. This accomplishment plays a pivotal role in de-risking the airworthiness certification process for forthcoming production models within the Cassio aircraft family.

Jean Botti, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of VoltAero noted that “based on initial results, we calculated a truly impressive CO2 reduction of approximately 80 percent while operating the Cassio powertrain in its electric-hybrid mode and with the internal combustion engine fueled by TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100.” This development highlights the potential of Cassio aircraft to contribute significantly to the aviation industry’s decarbonization goals by replacing conventional Avgas 100 high-octane fuel.

The collaboration between VoltAero and TotalEnergies reflects a step toward the broader adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in general aviation. Excellium Racing 100, derived from winemaking waste, has demonstrated its environmental benefits in automobile competitions and features a 65% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its fossil fuel counterparts over its life cycle.

Joël Navaron, President of TotalEnergies Aviation, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting aviation’s decarbonization objectives. TotalEnergies has initiated various actions, including the installation of electric charging stations for general aviation aircraft and a pilot program aimed at offering SP98-type fuel for compatible aircraft.

The Cassio family of aircraft, integrated with VoltAero’s patented electric-hybrid propulsion system, promises to revolutionize regional commercial operations, air taxi services, private ownership, and utility applications like cargo transport and medical evacuation (Medevac). With its unique hybrid propulsion system, Cassio delivers higher performance and significantly reduced operational costs.

Why it’s important: VoltAero’s latest achievement is desired by those in aerospace to become a more common occurrence in the next chapter of aviation, taking aerial mobility one step closer to more environmentally friendly outcomes. While the current supply of sustainable aviation fuel does not yet support full deployment of flights using SAF, compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels is crucial for future regional mobility aircraft designs.

Joby has announced it plans to locate its first scaled aircraft production facility in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.

Joby plans to build a facility capable of delivering up to 500 aircraft per year at the Dayton International Airport, supporting up to 2,000 jobs. The 140-acre site it has selected has the potential to support significant further growth over time, providing enough land to build up to two million square feet of manufacturing space. Construction of the scaled Ohio facility is expected to start in 2024 and it is expected to come online in 2025. Joby plans to use existing nearby buildings to begin near-term operations.

The State of Ohio, JobsOhio and local political subdivisions have offered incentives and benefits of up to $325 million to support the development of the facility, while Joby plans to invest up to $500 million as it scales operations at the site. Joby is also announcing today that it has been invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to submit a Part II Application for financing under the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program, which provides access to low-interest loans for clean energy projects and would support the scaling of the facility.

Joby’s long-term investor, Toyota, who worked with Joby on the design and successful launch of the company’s Pilot Production Line in Marina, California, plans to continue to advise Joby as it prepares for scaled production of its commercial passenger air taxi in Ohio.

“We’re building the future of aviation right where it all started, in Dayton, Ohio,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby. “The Wright Brothers harnessed revolutionary technology of their time to open up the skies, and we intend to do the same — this time, bringing quiet and emissions-free flight that we hope will have an equally profound impact on our world.

“The U.S. continues to lead the way on introducing this technology, with unprecedented levels of support across all areas and levels of government. We’re incredibly grateful to Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator JD Vance, Representative Mike Turner, and the team at JobsOhio for their support, as well as the representatives of the many other states we worked with during this process.

“Our partnership with Ohio is a great example of how successful public-private partnership amongst industry, local, state and federal government can bring important new technology to life.”

Joby plans to start hiring in the coming months, with early roles expected to focus on the build out of the scaled facility and the machining of parts that will initially be incorporated into Joby’s California low-volume production line.

Joby’s headquarters, research and development, and pilot production facility will remain in California.

Why it matters: Economic incentives from state and federal governments and Joby’s deep partnership with Toyota and the automotive industry make the rust belt the perfect location for a scaled eVTOL manufacturing facility. With the new jobs generated and ability to secure low-interest loans for the development of the site, Joby stands to quickly produce its eVTOL at rates up to 500/year.

Source: Joby Press Release

The FAA has authorized Zipline International, Inc. to deliver commercial packages around Salt Lake City and Bentonville, Arkansas using drones that fly beyond the operator’s visual line of sight (BVLOS).

Part 135 operator Zipline uses its Sparrow drone to drop cargo packages via parachute and this FAA approval will enable the longest range drone delivery flights that the United States has ever seen. Data collected from these operations will inform the FAA’s ongoing policy and rulemaking activities. 

“Today we use 4,000 pound gas combustion vehicles driven by humans to do billions of deliveries across the country. It’s expensive, slow and bad for the environment. This decision means that we can start to transition delivery to solutions that are 10x as fast, less expensive, and zero emission,” said Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline. “It means that Zipline hubs across the country can now go from serving a few thousand homes to serving hundreds of thousands of homes each year and millions of people, which will save time, money and even lives.” 

Related: NASA Signs Space Act Agreement with Zipline

Okeoma Moronu, Zipline’s head of Global Aviation Regulatory Affairs, said: “We applaud the FAA for taking a major step to integrate autonomous drone delivery into the airspace. This will enable more commerce, new economic opportunities and greater access for millions of Americans. The FAA has incredibly high safety standards and it’s a testament to the entire Zipline team that our delivery drones are entrusted to fly and deliver at scale, over populated areas, in the most complex airspace in the world.” 

Meanwhile, The FAA is focused on developing standard rules to make BVLOS operations routine, scalable and economically viable. The agency chartered the Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee on June 9, 2021 to provide safety recommendations to the FAA. The FAA’s long-term goal is to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System rather than set aside separate airspace exclusively for drones.

Why it’s important:

The FAA’s role in enabling BVLOS operations is pivotal to the future of not only small-scale drone delivery operations, but also passenger urban air mobility. By embracing and regulating this technology, the FAA is paving the way for safer, more efficient, and sustainable urban transportation. The benefits are clear: improved safety, reduced congestion, economic growth, greater accessibility, and a leading position on the global stage.

As we look to the future, it is evident that BVLOS operations are not just a regulatory necessity but a key enabler for the realization of UAM’s potential, promising a brighter and more connected urban landscape for generations to come. While some eVTOL aerial mobility manufacturers and operators are currently pursuing onboard pilot aircraft configurations, it’s inevitable that future variants will converge on mostly autonomous or remotely-piloted operation.

Innovation is soaring to new heights in aerial mobility, and recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are challenging the ways traditional methods of flight path monitoring. While there is the potential to significantly enhance safety and efficiency in our increasingly crowded skies, there are also challenges related to how cutting-edge AI technologies can be safely and responsibly applied to new aircraft.

The Challenge of Aerial Mobility

Aerial mobility continues to make inroads on the path to widespread certification and utilization of aircraft to decongest urban areas and more efficiently transport passengers the last 50nm of their trips. With the rapid growth of drones, air taxis, and autonomous aircraft, cities around the world are embracing the potential for faster, cleaner, and more efficient transportation. However, this comes with its own set of challenges, particularly in managing and coordinating the movement of numerous airborne vehicles in urban environments.

AI-Powered Predictive Flight Path Monitoring

AI-driven predictive flight path monitoring has a potential to be a game-changer in this space, but with serious complications if implementation isn’t nearly flawless. AI algorithms, empowered by deep learning and real-time data analysis, enable aerial mobility systems to anticipate and adapt to changing conditions. A potential rosy future could include:

1. Collision Avoidance: AI algorithms can predict potential conflicts between aerial vehicles and suggest alternative routes to avoid collisions. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of accidents, making urban air travel safer for everyone.
2. Weather Forecasting: AI can process vast amounts of weather data in real-time, allowing aircraft to adjust their routes to avoid turbulence, storms, or adverse conditions. This not only enhances safety but also ensures smoother and more comfortable rides for passengers.
3. Traffic Management: AI-powered traffic management systems can dynamically allocate airspace and landing zones, optimizing routes to minimize congestion and delays. This promotes efficient use of airspace, reducing travel times and environmental impact.
4. Predictive Maintenance: AI can predict maintenance needs for aerial vehicles by analyzing sensor data. This preemptive approach ensures that aircraft are in optimal condition, reducing the risk of in-flight mechanical failures.

While the above list of advances sounds incredibly convenient, it also reflects what many sight as an idyllic view of AI’s implementation in aerial mobility. There are numerous challenges to face, including sporadic, erratic flight paths from other aircraft, regulatory integration and certification, as well as ethical and privacy concerns, especially for those not wanting the data from their flights to be shared for privacy reasons. Finally, the methods by which these algorithms are trained must be ironclad, and evasive actions cannot also be prescribed in situations where immediate intervention is necessary.

As many OEMs adopt hybridized approaches to their powertrains, leveraging the best of both internal combustion and battery technology, a similar approach is likely warranted for the most successful of the aerial mobility aircraft: provisioned for future growth with capabilities that can eventually be fully autonomous, but with the option for remote or in-aircraft piloting to occur to assuage passenger concerns and to meet current regulatory requirements.

Why it’s important: As AI continues to evolve, the future of aerial mobility may evolve to leverage this technology as well. AI-driven predictive flight path monitoring may enhance safety but also paves the way for increased automation and autonomy in air travel, if implemented gradually and successful. The runway to AI integration into aviation is a long one, but slow incremental steps will yield benefit.