Category: Regulations

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Proposed Rule on Remote ID for Drones

29 December 2019 || 4 min read

The FAA has laid the groundwork for expanded UAS operation beyond line-of-sight The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a proposed rule that would continue the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, into the nation’s airspace by requiring them to be identifiable remotely. “Remote ID technologies will enhance safety and security by...

U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Proposed Rule on Remote ID for Drones

29 December 2019 || 4 min read

The FAA has laid the groundwork for expanded UAS operation beyond line-of-sight

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a proposed rule that would continue the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, into the nation’s airspace by requiring them to be identifiable remotely.

“Remote ID technologies will enhance safety and security by allowing the FAA, law enforcement, and Federal security agencies to identify drones flying in their jurisdiction,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Wing (left), AirMap (center), and UASidekick (right) remote ID applications visualize 6 unique drone operations across multiple USS. Image courtesy of Wing.

The FAA will seek input on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote Identification (Remote ID) of UAS that today was placed on display at the Federal Register. In the coming days, it will be accompanied by a 60-day comment period to receive public feedback and help the FAA develop a final rule to enhance safety in the skies over the U.S.

“As a pilot, my eye is always on safety first,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Safety is a joint responsibility between government, pilots, the drone community, the general public and many others who make our nation so creative and innovative.”

Drones are a fast-growing segment of the entire transportation sector – nearly 1.5 million drones and 160,000 remote pilots are registered with the FAA. Equipping drones with remote identification technologies would build on previous steps taken by the FAA and the UAS industry to safely integrate operations, including the small UAS rule, which covers drones weighing less than 55 pounds, and the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which automates the application and approval process for most UAS operators to obtain airspace authorizations.

AirMap applauds @FAANews’ recent release of its proposed Remote ID rule and looks forward to providing feedback. Comprehensive Remote ID regulations will spur our industry forward. To read our full statement, click here: https://t.co/LVnFG5ECYq

— AirMap (@AirMapIO) December 26, 2019

These efforts lay the foundation for more complex operations, such as those beyond visual line of sight at low altitudes, as the FAA and the drone industry move toward a traffic management ecosystem for UAS flights separate from, but complementary to, the air traffic management system.

The proposed Remote ID rule would apply to all drones that are required to register with the FAA (recreational drones weighing under 0.55 pounds are not required to register), as well as to persons operating foreign civil UAS in the U.S.

Why it matters: While the initial motivation motivation for Remote ID is for drones, aerial mobility stakeholders will see value in the technology. This development will lead to expanded UAS operation beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS). Remote ID promises to advance the UAS industry with improved safety, accountability, and transparency of its stake holders.

Source // FAA

Hanwha Systems Gains Approval for $25 Million Investment in Overair

17 December 2019 || 4 min read

Hanwha Systems will officially enter the urban aerial mobility market as of Dec. 8th, as the CFIUS has approved Hanwha’s $25 million USD investment in Overair Hanwha earlier announced their intentions to invest a 30% stake in Overair, formerly known as K4 Aeronautics. Recently, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved the $25 million USD investment...

Hanwha Systems Gains Approval for $25 Million Investment in Overair

17 December 2019 || 4 min read

Hanwha Systems will officially enter the urban aerial mobility market as of Dec. 8th, as the CFIUS has approved Hanwha’s $25 million USD investment in Overair

Hanwha earlier announced their intentions to invest a 30% stake in Overair, formerly known as K4 Aeronautics. Recently, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved the $25 million USD investment into the promising air taxi company. With the approval secured, Overair, now overseen by Hanwha Systems, will go ahead with the development of its passenger eVTOL, the Butterfly.

Hanwha System’s investment is centered around the development of the Butterfly

The Butterfly is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) optimized for urban aerial mobility services. The aircraft was conceptualized with noise reduction and efficiency in mind; the Butterfly is currently able to fly 100 kilometers at 240 km/hr (60 miles at 150 mph) or faster with five people — four passengers and one pilot — on board.

Overair and Hanwha intend to develop the Butterfly for civilian transportation systems with the aim of receiving a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. Hanwha Systems is also looking to expand its investment in Overair with the intention of spreading into the South Korean personal air vehicle (PAV) sector, which is gaining traction with the Korean Ministries of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, Trade, Industry, and Energy.

Earlier this year, Hanwha Systems announced their intentions to invest in Overair, then known as K4 Aeronautics.

Overair was spun off from the eVTOL technology company Karem Aircraft and is one of the named partners of the Uber Elevate air taxi project. Abe Karem, an aviation expert with experience in designing 14 flying machines was founder of Karem Aircraft and is now co-founder and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of Overair.

Why it’s important: With the approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment, one of the largest technology conglomerates in the East Asian region has taken the first step to entering the urban aerial mobility sector. With a strong initial investment in Overair, a partner to Uber Elevate, Hanwha Systems looks to corner the air taxi and PAV market internationally and domestically, and now is making their presence known in the rapidly growing new industry.

Source // Business Korea

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Volocopter to Receive EASA’s Design Organisation Approval

11 December 2019 || 5 min read

Volocopter is the first eVTOL startup on record to receive DOA from EASA. German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Volocopter has been working closely with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through a series of audits to prove the safety of its manufacturing process. This week, EASA awarded Volocopter with Design Organisation Approval (DOA), confirming the safe...

Volocopter to Receive EASA’s Design Organisation Approval

11 December 2019 || 5 min read

Volocopter is the first eVTOL startup on record to receive DOA from EASA.

German electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Volocopter has been working closely with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) through a series of audits to prove the safety of its manufacturing process. This week, EASA awarded Volocopter with Design Organisation Approval (DOA), confirming the safe and controlled performance of the company’s processes. “Receiving this seal of approval from EASA is testament to our rigorously professional processes, world class team, and devotion to safety here at Volocopter,” says Jan-Hendrik Boelens, CTO and Head of Design Organization of Volocopter.

Volocopter receives Design Organisation Approval by EASA, left to right: Florian Reuter, CEO Volocopter; Jan-Hendrik Boelens, CTO Volocopter; Rachel Daeschel, Certification Director EASA; Patrick Ky, Executive Director EASA. Credit // Volocopter

As an approved Design Organisation, Volocopter has gained a competitive edge in development speed, while maintaining a guarantee of the highest safety standards. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has been designing and testing various models of its prototype eVTOLs in Bruchsal, Germany and successfully completed its first urban manned flight over Singapore’s Marina Bay in October of this year.

Sharing strong synergies with the existing Volocopter platform, the VoloDrone presents an unmanned, fully electric utility drone, capable of carrying heavy payloads. The VoloDrone has been designed and engineered to serve challenging missions across diverse industries, adding the third dimension to sustainable transport. Technical Specifications available in the TransportUP eVTOL Aircraft Hangar.

EASA is the European Union’s aviation authority and regulator, ensuring the highest level of safety protection. The regulator awards DOA to companies they have thoroughly audited with regards to their organisation, processes, resources, and staff expertise. Key aspects the agency checks before giving their seal of approval are clearly defined throughout certain processes that also need to be lived in everyday work, safety awareness, and the organisation. The audits ultimately serve to assess and decide whether a company can bring a safe aircraft to market.

By awarding a DOA, EASA entrusts a growing range of responsibilities to Volocopter as per a set of rules and processes. The key effect of having a DOA is that EASA exercises surveillance to the organization as a whole, and the involvement can be reduced to fewer steps on the way to the final commercial certification. Consequently, product development can be conducted at a faster pace by the approved organization. These privileges accompanying DOA can eventually include elements such as issuing approvals of changes or even issuing a permit to fly for its test aircraft allowing to conduct engineering and certification flight test of Volocopter’s commercial air taxi. “Design Organisation Approval is a crucial step towards receiving commercial certification and brings air taxis ever closer!” says Florian Reuter, CEO of Volocopter.

The Volocopter 2X soars over Singapore’s Marina Bay.

Earlier this year EASA also finalized and published the Special Condition VTOL, the world’s first certification baseline specifically created for air taxis, under which Volocopter is in process to get its aircraft certified. The announcement answered some of the questions surrounding the required level of certification and safety in the development process for VTOLs, especially ones intended for usage in urban air mobility.

Why it’s important: Receiving EASA DOA thus proves to be a strong competitive advantage for Volocopter within the global context, and may contribute to the company widening the gap in the race to certify the world’s first commercially applicable urban air taxi. In conjunction with EASA’s “Special Condition,” the issuance of DOA to Volocopter clarifies expectations and sets a precedent to follow as other eVTOL manufacturers submit for similar certifications.

Source // Volocopter

Urban Air Mobility at Amsterdam Drone Week 2019

08 December 2019 || 5 min read

Amsterdam Drone Week opened this week, and urban air mobility took center stage. The second annual Amsterdam Drone Week (ADW) took place on December 4th-6th this week, and provided a global venue for exchanging knowledge and expertise on current as well as future air mobility solutions, innovations, and essential regulations. RAI Amsterdam served as the focal point for top-level players, large...

Urban Air Mobility at Amsterdam Drone Week 2019

08 December 2019 || 5 min read

Amsterdam Drone Week opened this week, and urban air mobility took center stage.

The second annual Amsterdam Drone Week (ADW) took place on December 4th-6th this week, and provided a global venue for exchanging knowledge and expertise on current as well as future air mobility solutions, innovations, and essential regulations. RAI Amsterdam served as the focal point for top-level players, large and small, commercial and non-commercial, from various industries, knowledge institutes and authorized bodies to come together to create, innovate, and collaborate.

Philip Butterworth Hayes, the editor of Urban Air Mobility News, appropriately kicked things off: creating a vision not only of a world where drones provide an integral part of urban transportation systems – but where humans and robots establish a working relationship. “What do we want to achieve this week?” asked Hayes. “We need to achieve a closer understanding of the drone market and its potential, both in the short and long term.” If that isn’t enough of a challenge, Hayes says that Urban Air Mobility is nothing short of a revolution. UAM represents a complete change in thinking for cities. “We’re creating a new transportation ecosystem,” says Hayes. “The last time we did that was in 1945, when we started the commercial aviation industry.”

To discuss and brainstorm ideas for the new transportation ecosystem, Hayes moderated a roundtable discussion on “Reinventing Mobility” featuring key industry experts and innovators. The speakers included CMO Europe at EHang Andreas Perroti, Founder of AirMap Ben Marcus, Innovation and Deployment Director at ERTICO Dr. Johanna Tzanidaki, and Director New Business Ventures at Boeing Next John Damush. Boeing also hosted a handful of presentations on the Future of Airspace Management as well as Mobility & Sustainable Aviation.

In another address at ADW, Dr. Johanna Tzanidaki explained the “Internet of Mobility” and what that means for the future of drone transportation. ERTICO is focused on Intelligent Transport Systems, or ITS. ERTICO’s vision for mobility is a shared, digital, multi-modal and on-demand network. In practical terms, that means logging on to one system and determining the best and most convenient way to get from point A to point B: combining modes like bikes, cars, and drones as appropriate. Companies like BLADE are already providing services that combine multiple modes of transportation, and technology like that of ERTICO could be a solution that leads to further optimization.

ADW was also an opportunity for Avy to reveal its new long-endurance VTOL drone designed for lifesaving beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) missions. The vehicle, named Aera, features modular payload capabilities, integrated avionics, and redundant communications, and will be used, amongst other things, in the Medical Drone Service pilot project, launched earlier this week. The Medical Drone Service will investigate safe and reliable transport of blood products and medicines between blood banks and hospitals over the next three years. During the exhibition, Avy performed live flight demonstrations in the drone arena on each day, and displayed the Aera in the showcase area. Founder Mr Patrique Zaman also hosted a humble talk on his success thus far with Avy and the future of Urban Air Mobility.

Why it’s important: Amsterdam Drone Week is seeing growing success in its ability to rally key industry leaders, regulators, and manufacturers together for the purpose of expediting a new transportation ecosystem safely and efficiently. It’s the continual efforts of conferences and gatherings like ADW that will ultimately shape the aerial mobility industry and aid in garnering the public’s acceptance.

Sources // dronelife; Amsterdam Drone Week

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Airbus Wayfinder Uses AI for Certifiable Autonomous Systems

01 December 2019 || 4 min read

Airbus further invests in aerial mobility with the development of eVTOL autonomous systems. A³ by Airbus is the Silicon Valley R&D outpost of Airbus, where Project Wayfinder is currently under development. The company hopes to implement artificial intelligence as a means of advancing the capabilities and applications of autonomous systems for aerial mobility. According to Airbus, “Project Wayfinder is building...

Airbus Wayfinder Uses AI for Certifiable Autonomous Systems

01 December 2019 || 4 min read

Airbus further invests in aerial mobility with the development of eVTOL autonomous systems.

A³ by Airbus is the Silicon Valley R&D outpost of Airbus, where Project Wayfinder is currently under development. The company hopes to implement artificial intelligence as a means of advancing the capabilities and applications of autonomous systems for aerial mobility.

According to Airbus, “Project Wayfinder is building scalable, certifiable autonomy systems to power self-piloted aircraft applications throughout Airbus, from small urban air vehicles to large commercial airplanes. Our team of experts is driving the maturation of machine learning and other core technologies for autonomous flight; we are creating a reference architecture that includes hardware, software, and a data-driven development process to allow aircraft to perceive and react to their environment.”

A few of the technologies we may expect to see from Wayfinder include detect-and-avoid, landing zone recognition, and other autonomous systems.

The Airbus Vahana Alpha Two tilt-wing eVTOL at Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton, Oregon. Photo // Airbus

Through its beginnings as part of the Airbus Vahana eVTOL project, Wayfinder’s potential for applications throughout aerospace quickly became clear. The success of the project encouraged Airbus to make Project Wayfinder its own entity within A³, which now will develop intelligent technology for all types of aircraft.

The Vahana prototype was on display this summer at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) currently mandates “at least two adequately rested, fully qualified, and well-trained pilots,” which currently blocks implementation of autonomous system into commercial operations. While still prohibited for commercial use, autonomous piloting systems are often tested in small-scale autonomous air vehicles such as Airbus’ Vahana, and will eventually make their debut into commercial aviation with collaboration from regulators.

Why it’s important: The development of the Wayfinder technology sets the stage for the future of smart technologies for flight. Other technologies, such as Garmin’s Autoland avionics system, which automates communication between ATC and pilots, are currently under development and certification as well. Together, these kinds of systems will eventually form the air traffic management and flight systems for urban aircraft.

Source // Avionics International

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Community Air Mobility Initiative Launches to Support Integration of UAM

10 November 2019 || 4 min read

CAMI seeks to garner public support of urban air mobility as the technology and regulations progress. The Seattle-based Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) has announced its launch with the support of its founding members, including aircraft manufacturers Bell and Joby Aviation, as well as non-profit organizations such as the NBAA. “New technologies and new aircraft promise to make flight accessible and...

Community Air Mobility Initiative Launches to Support Integration of UAM

10 November 2019 || 4 min read

CAMI seeks to garner public support of urban air mobility as the technology and regulations progress.

The Seattle-based Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) has announced its launch with the support of its founding members, including aircraft manufacturers Bell and Joby Aviation, as well as non-profit organizations such as the NBAA. “New technologies and new aircraft promise to make flight accessible and practical on a daily basis for more people than ever before,” said CAMI co-executive director Anna Dietrich. “With that promise comes the responsibility to integrate those aircraft into our communities safely, responsibly, and equitably. We created CAMI as the industry’s commitment to our neighbors and the decision-makers who support them to work to ensure that happens.”

CAMI’s mission is to support the responsible integration of urban air mobility (UAM) into communities through education, communication, and advocacy. The non-profit, led by industry experts and professionals in aviation, transportation, and public policy, hopes to influence and educate communities and decision makers at the state and local level. CAMI recognizes that to be successful, urban air mobility must be safe, quiet, and a desired component of our communities. As such, it will lead the joint effort and collaboration of multiple stakeholders in the industry to overcome challenges including traffic congestion, environmental impacts and noise, to name a few.

“As the aviation industry continues to mature the technologies needed to bring electric aircraft into communities, it became clear that the most important need was to bridge the work of the industry with the local communities where this technology will be implemented,” said Yolanka Wulff, co-Executive Director. Wulff is the second co-executive director of CAMI, and brings a law background, as well as a focus on sustainable aviation, standards development, and public affairs. “CAMI understands the importance of working with all of the stakeholders to develop urban air mobility that integrates with existing and future urban and regional transportation systems.”

A Humphrey and Partners depiction of a concept integration of aerial mobility in an urban setting. Photo // Uber

Why it’s important: CAMI is poised to be an influential organization in the developmental years of aerial mobility. Initial support has been garnered across various areas of the transportation and aviation industries, including aircraft manufacturers and suppliers, operators, industry associations, state and local agencies, ecosystem members, academia, and nonprofits. In addition to external support, CAMI has attracted top experts with the experience and mindset essential to the development of feasible and widely accepted aerial mobility solutions.

For more information about CAMI, or to learn about joining the mission, visit www.communityairmobility.org or email contact@communityairmobility.org.

Source // CAMI Press Release

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FAA Approves UPS as Drone Airline for Commercial Deliveries

10 October 2019 || 4 min read

UPS now operates the first official drone airline with a full Part-135 FAA certification. UPS, which operates 564 owned and leased traditional airplanes, has long been in the business of delivering parcels as well as heavy cargo, and now plans to use drone technologies to expand its scope. The company plans to announce strategic partnerships with drone makers, designers of...

FAA Approves UPS as Drone Airline for Commercial Deliveries

10 October 2019 || 4 min read

UPS now operates the first official drone airline with a full Part-135 FAA certification.

Photograph: UPS

UPS, which operates 564 owned and leased traditional airplanes, has long been in the business of delivering parcels as well as heavy cargo, and now plans to use drone technologies to expand its scope. The company plans to announce strategic partnerships with drone makers, designers of traffic-management systems, and customers such as retailers. As a certified airline operator, UPS prioritizes and specializes in logistics. Thus, it will continue to rely on the technologies of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to enable its vision, just as companies such as Boeing have supplied UPS with commercial jets for years.

Photograph: UPS

Prior to this month’s Part-135 certification acquisition, UPS has been conducting drone deliveries at a large hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. The operations have been ongoing since March of this year, and are in collaboration with drone technology company Matternet. As explained in a recent press release, “the company will initially expand its drone delivery service further to support hospital campuses around the country, and to provide solutions for customers beyond those in the healthcare industry. UPS Flight Forward plans in the future to transport a variety of items for customers in many industries, and regularly fly drones beyond the operators’ visual line of sight (BVLOS).” In fact, the company has already completed its first flight BVLOS – immediately after acquiring the certification – by performing a revenue delivery at WakeMed’s hospital campus in Raleigh, N.C.

UPS has beaten out competitors, such as Amazon’s Prime Air and Alphabet’s Wing, as the first to receive a full Part-135 certification. This will allow the operator to begin revenue flights of its commercial drone service throughout the entire United States. Wing recently received a similar certification, but with limited scope – the company is currently permitted to operate only in Christiansburg, VA, and with only one pilot, under a ‘Single pilot air carrier certificate’.

Why it’s important: As stated by Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao in an FAA release on Tuesday, “this is a big step forward in safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into our airspace, expanding access to healthcare in North Carolina and building on the success of the national UAS Integration Pilot Program to maintain American leadership in unmanned aviation.” The certification paves a way for future drone airlines to stand up commercial operations, without being restricted to line-of-sight or daytime flights.

Source // UPS Pressroom

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Airbus and EASA Sign MOC on Development of VTOL Aircraft

07 October 2019 || 4 min read

Airbus and EASA will cooperate in developing the next generation of VTOL platforms European multinational aerospace company Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation intended to bring cooperation for a joint effort to develop the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms and the associated regulatory structures. The agreement will focus...

Airbus and EASA Sign MOC on Development of VTOL Aircraft

07 October 2019 || 4 min read

Airbus and EASA will cooperate in developing the next generation of VTOL platforms

European multinational aerospace company Airbus and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation intended to bring cooperation for a joint effort to develop the next generation of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms and the associated regulatory structures. The agreement will focus on vital areas of development, such as thermal/electric hybridization of propulsion systems, high-speed flight, certification of piloting assistance systems, and condition-based maintenance.

The CityAirbus

According to Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even: “Innovation that benefits customers is at the heart of Airbus Helicopters strategy and we are committed to working hand-in-hand with authorities around our innovation projects with the same professional approach, experience and spirit that have driven our legacy products.”

Both the EASA and Airbus are already currently working on several means to define and regulate the current developing aerial mobility sector. Notably, the EASA recently released a “Special Condition” pertaining to the certification of eVTOL aircraft in July 2019, and have looked into the certification for VTOL platforms as well. Airbus has been heavily invested in the aerial mobility industry, simultaneously working on several projects intended to explore the viability and commercial applications in the sector.

Airbus’ A³ Vahana VTOL Project

“Partnerships with industry are part of our strategy to ensure that innovation in the aviation market happens safely,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky. “The learnings we derive from cutting edge technologies play a significant role in helping us to prepare our certification methodologies for these new advancements. The cooperation on innovation with Airbus Helicopters represents an important contribution to this strategy.”

The Airbus Vahana II demonstrator

Why it’s important: Cooperation between one of the largest aerospace companies and the EASA could indicate that development and commercialization of the aerial mobility could progress at a faster pace. While commercialization of aerial mobility has already been projected to happen within the next decade, several companies still face regulatory issues in getting their vehicles certified and getting the right infrastructure in place. Airbus intends to take the lead by cooperating with the main authority that will oversee aerial mobility in Europe.

Source // Aerospace Technology

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White House to Support eVTOL in R&D Priorities Memo

19 September 2019 || 4 min read

The White House indicated it may be interested in the research and development of eVTOL aircraft. In a nine-page executive memo, the document discusses future development budget priorities for the US government beyond FY2021. The document covers a variety of R&D topics ranging from advanced communications, autonomy, and infrastructure resilience, among others. This quote was taken from the memo and...

White House to Support eVTOL in R&D Priorities Memo

19 September 2019 || 4 min read

The White House indicated it may be interested in the research and development of eVTOL aircraft.

In a nine-page executive memo, the document discusses future development budget priorities for the US government beyond FY2021. The document covers a variety of R&D topics ranging from advanced communications, autonomy, and infrastructure resilience, among others.

Joseph Van Valen, White House Fellow for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)

This quote was taken from the memo and shows a clear priority for eVTOL.

“Departments and agencies should support the development and deployment of advanced communications networks by prioritizing R&D consistent with the National Spectrum R&D Strategy. They should prioritize R&D to lower barriers to the deployment of surface, air, and marine autonomous vehicles with a focus on developing operating standards, integration approaches, traffic management systems, and defense/security operations. Departments and agencies should prioritize R&D that enables electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing and civil supersonic aircraft, including for type certification, the creation of over-land supersonic flight noise standards, and low-sonic-boom aircraft research.”

Fiscal Year 2021 Administration Research and Development Budget Priorities

“The administration believes that unique and innovative eVTOL designs have the potential to revolutionize the future of transportation. We at OSTP look forward to working across the Federal government to develop an eVTOL regulatory framework that prioritizes safety and promotes innovation, ” said Joseph Van Valen, senior policy advisor for advanced transportation at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Stakeholders in the aerial mobility space will be pleased to see support from the US government, yet it is unclear yet if these priorities will lead to greater R&D funding.

“As we move forward, government must ensure that that we continue to prioritize funding for these sort of technologies – especially as others such as Europe and China are investing significant sums to gain an advantage in these areas,” said David Silver of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).

Why it matters: One of the key barriers to the widespread acceptance of the aerial mobility industry will be cooperation with the US government, in particular, the FAA. With a clear prioritization from the executive branch, it brings to question if government support for the industry will match.

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Farnborough’s Global Urban Air Summit Discusses Aerial Mobility Operations

10 September 2019 || 4 min read

Global regulators and industry professionals discuss UAM industry operations at GUAS 2019. According to Farnborough International, the Global Urban Air Summit (GUAS) of 2019 “marks the first time global regulators have come together with industry to determine how urban air mobility will operate.” Discussions encompassed a variety of themes, such as the safety of urban aircraft, both from a perspective...

Farnborough’s Global Urban Air Summit Discusses Aerial Mobility Operations

10 September 2019 || 4 min read

Global regulators and industry professionals discuss UAM industry operations at GUAS 2019.

According to Farnborough International, the Global Urban Air Summit (GUAS) of 2019 “marks the first time global regulators have come together with industry to determine how urban air mobility will operate.” Discussions encompassed a variety of themes, such as the safety of urban aircraft, both from a perspective of regulating repeatable manufacturing processes and one of gaining public acceptance. Of course, autonomy also made its way into the conversation, as it pertains to flight path planning and accountability.

Headlining the opening day of the conference was an insightful discussion with Tim Johnson, Policy Director for the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, and Jay Merkle, Executive Director of Unmanned Aircraft Systems for the US Federal Aviation Administration. The two were also joined by Mildred Troegeler, Director of Global Aerospace Integration for Boeing NeXt, and François Sillion, Uber’s Director of Advanced Technologies Research. This collaboration of regulators and future operators facilitated a productive session that must become a recurring theme if the industry is to progress toward a commercially viable and mature state.

Uber’s Sillion says that he has gleaned substantial insight on how the UAM industry will operate since the launch of Uber Copter in NYC in July of 2019. The program transports passengers to and from popular destinations around the Manhattan area, such as JFK, for a price comparable to an Uber car during rush hour, and at a fraction of the time. Uber Copter rivals BLADE, who launched a service that includes flights to and from all NYC airports starting in May of 2019. Sillion also appeared at the two-day conference to discuss the company’s search for additional airframer partners as it continues to prepare for commercialization via the Uber Air platform (read more here).

The major takeaways from the discussion married concerns from the perspectives of the regulators and operators, as well as of the general public. It is integral to the success of the aerial mobility industry that all societal impacts are mitigated, of which noise was the most emphasized. CAA’s Head of Aerospace Jon Round explained that it is only once vehicles are in operation that the technology will be accepted, and not before. However, a prerequisite to commercial operation is sufficient design and testing iterations in order to minimize noise and hone air traffic management technologies.

Why it’s important: The progress of the aerial mobility industry hinges on continuous meetings of this nature, where productive conversation can be had regarding the largest obstacles ahead. Farnborough International was pleased to see the impact of the inaugural Global Urban Air Summit, and plans to continue with the event going forward.

Source // Farnborough International

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Regulators try to catch flying cars – Saim Saeed

06 September 2019 || 6 min read

UAM faces regulatory and customer perception problems. FARNBOROUGH, England — Drones are here and flying cars are moving from sci-fi to reality — now regulators and potential customers are scrambling to catch up. Aerospace giants like Airbus and Boeing, tech companies like Uber and even McDonald’s are betting big on drone deliveries and air taxis. They promise to shorten delivery...

Regulators try to catch flying cars – Saim Saeed

06 September 2019 || 6 min read

UAM faces regulatory and customer perception problems.

FARNBOROUGH, England — Drones are here and flying cars are moving from sci-fi to reality — now regulators and potential customers are scrambling to catch up.

Aerospace giants like Airbus and Boeing, tech companies like Uber and even McDonald’s are betting big on drone deliveries and air taxis. They promise to shorten delivery times, ease congestion and decarbonize transport. But that technological vision is running into two problems — public skepticism and a missing regulatory framework.

“Lots of people come and say they want to launch in central London, that’s great but planning issues, privacy, power and public acceptance are more intensely felt there,” Tim Johnson, policy director at the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority, said at the Global Urban Air Summit at Farnborough on Tuesday.

Companies like Hoversurf, creator of the S3 Hoverbike, are utilizing ultralight certification categories to circumvent the formal type certification process of the FAA. Image // Hoversurf

The challenge is that the nascent technologies span the range from what exists now — drones, for example — to those that are still on drawing boards, like various versions of flying cars. Regulators have to work out rules on everything from what is covered — the EU had a big debate on how heavy a drone has to be before tougher rules apply — to how such decisions affect shared airspace, noise levels, pollution and safety.

While Brussels is trying to establish EU-wide rules, national regulators are also drawing up regulations, and often choosing divergent approaches.

“If we think if we go in anything less than incremental steps, then we’re probably mistaken” — Jon Round, Civil Aviation Authority official

“Picking our markets have been almost exclusively driven by politics, not economics,” said Duncan Walker, co-founder and managing director of Skyports, a company that builds platforms and buildings from which aircraft can take off and land.

He said that working with regulators “frankly, is a mess.”

Walker’s words were echoed by other industry officials at the conference. Asked if U.K. authorities have implemented steps to allow the integration of unmanned aircraft into airspace, Harini Kulatunga, head of solutions for unmanned aerial systems at Airbus, said: “I don’t believe so.”

Playing catch-up

The speed of technological change throws up another issue for regulators.

An image of the new Amazon delivery drone is displayed during the Amazon Re:MARS conference in Las Vegas on June 5, 2019 | Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

“It’s equally as bad to get ahead of the industry as it is to get behind them,” said Jay Merckle, executive director of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, citing the risk that legislating too early means doing guesswork on which way the industry will go, and often getting it wrong.

Jon Round, head of airspace, air traffic management and aerodromes at the Civil Aviation Authority, asked for patience. “If we think if we go in anything less than incremental steps, then we’re probably mistaken.”

Getting technology and regulations aligned leaves another hurdle — persuading people that these services are needed.

Convincing them to agree to more noisy objects flying above their heads is a challenge. People “don’t want noise above them unless they’re the ones going on holiday in a plane or there’s a drone delivery that’s for them,” said Round. “The noise is enormous as an issue.”

High cost also makes it difficult for companies to make the argument that ordinary people will benefit. Current helicopter services in São Paulo, Mexico City and New York — running as pilot projects for Airbus and Uber — only cater to affluent customers.

Industry emphasized the need to outline the potential value of urban air mobility — moving organs and blood across a city rather than pizza, for example.

“The real challenge of making this successful is that people don’t feel it’s only for a select few,” said James Cranswick, director of aviation at Deloitte, the consultancy.

It’s all still pretty niche.

Companies argue that urban air mobility is a possible solution to congestion, but Uber, which is also investing in air transport, said it does not envision “mass transport,” and predicts eventually moving around 10,000 people in a city per day — a far cry from the 3.5 million who use London’s public transport system every day.

Industry emphasized the need to outline the potential value of urban air mobility — moving organs and blood across a city rather than pizza, for example. The biggest challenge is “social,” said Mildred Troegeler, the director of global airspace integration at Boeing NeXt, the company’s division that deals with urban air transport. “We need to show the actual value of the operations.”

This article originally appeared on Politico.eu. Used with permission from Saim Saeed.

XTI Aircraft Receives Japanese Patent for TriFan 600 eVTOL

21 August 2019 || 4 min read

XTI Aircraft has received a utility patent from the Japanese Patent Office for the technology and configuration of the company’s TriFan 600 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle. The XTI Aircraft TriFan 600 is an eVTOL that has been in development just outside of Denver, CO, USA since 2012. The aircraft uses three ducted fans to take off vertically...

XTI Aircraft Receives Japanese Patent for TriFan 600 eVTOL

21 August 2019 || 4 min read

XTI Aircraft has received a utility patent from the Japanese Patent Office for the technology and configuration of the company’s TriFan 600 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

Photo // XTI Aircraft

The XTI Aircraft TriFan 600 is an eVTOL that has been in development just outside of Denver, CO, USA since 2012. The aircraft uses three ducted fans to take off vertically which rotate towards the horizontal in order to facilitate forward flight. The XTI Tri-fan features a luxury interior, and is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers.

“The patent issued by Japan provides further protection for our unique aircraft in a significant market for us, and enables us to continue to expand our global market,” said Robert LaBelle, Chief Executive Officer of XTI. The issuance of the Japanese patent follows multiple others received by the company from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

On August 5, 2019, XTI announced that due to success under its $25 million Series B private placement, the company is likely to close its equity crowdfunding campaign on the StartEngine platform before the end of 2019. This comes after the company released information regarding its partnership with GE Aviation to provide propulsion for its hybrid-electric aircraft. XTI Aircraft has also announced multiple orders of the TriFan 600 in the past year, notably from Icon Aviation – Brazil’s largest private jet charter company – and Heliflite, a VIP helicopter service in Southeast Asia and Australia.

According to a company press release earlier this month, XTI is following StartEngine’s plans to provide a platform for all XTI shareholders to buy and sell their shares on a secondary market once the crowdfunding campaign closes. “This secondary market will give investors the possibility of earning a return before the company they invested in gets acquired or goes public. ‘XTI will continue to sell shares for $1.50 on StartEngine until the offering closes,’ CEO LaBelle added.”

The six-seat TriFan 600 will have the speed, range and comfort of a luxury business aircraft and the ability to take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. It will travel at 345 miles an hour, with a range of up to 1,200 miles. Using three ducted fans, the TriFan lifts off vertically. Its two wing fans then rotate forward for a seamless transition to cruise speed and its initial climb. It will reach 30,000 feet in just ten minutes and cruise to the destination as a highly efficient business aircraft.” To read more about the TriFan 600, visit the Hangar.

Why it’s important: The legal validation of XTI’s TriFan 600 technology and configuration in the international stage demonstrates the company’s global reach and ability to stretch past the borders of its headquarters state of Colorado. The fulfillment of over 80 orders for the TriFan 600 is eagerly awaited and will serve as an indicator for whether the company is capable of expanding its production to meet global demand.

Sources // XTI Aircraft

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EASA Releases its “Special Condition” For eVTOL Development

05 July 2019 || 4 min read

The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has published its special condition regarding the development and certification process for VTOL aircraft. The announcement clarifies some of the questions surrounding the required level of certification and safety in the development process for VTOLs, especially ones intended for usage in urban air mobility. The condition, opened for public consultation in October 2018,...

EASA Releases its “Special Condition” For eVTOL Development

05 July 2019 || 4 min read

The Lilium Jet will be among the list of VTOLs that are affected by the Special Condition

The condition, opened for public consultation in October 2018, specifically regards VTOL aircraft in the “small” category. According to the EASA, a VTOL in the “small” category can seat up to nine passengers and has a maximum certified takeoff mass of 3,175 kg (7000 lb) using lift/thrust units to generate powered lift and control. Any VTOL fitting the above terms is subject to the specific development and certification framework listed in the Special Condition.

Airbus will be teaming up with Groupe ADP and RATP to work on an urban mobility demonstration project incorporating VTOL taxis, in time for the Olympic Games, which Paris is hosting in 2024. Learn more here.

The Special Condition also directly links the level of airworthiness requirements for a VTOL aircraft to its intended type of operations. Separated into two categories, Basic and Enhanced, the Enhanced category will apply to “operations in which passengers are being flown on a for-hire basis over congested areas with a view to protecting third parties, including people on the ground”. The Basic category will refer to non-commercial flights over uncongested areas, which will naturally entail lighter requirements of the VTOL.

The Volocopter, another VTOL which will most likely be affected by the Special Condition

According to the EASA, the new Special Condition for VTOLs will be “the first building block” to enable the safe operation of VTOL aircraft. “We are actively engaging with the industry to develop the right technical requirements to take benefit of the new technologies bringing safety and environmental benefits to the community,” said EASA executive director Patrick Ky. “The establishment of a common set of conditions for the certification of these new concepts of vehicles will enable a fair competition on the European market, as well as clarity for future manufacturers and their investors.”

You can find the full document published by the EASA here

Embraer is one of the companies who plan to soon offer their own air taxi service, heavily involved with both the development stage and the infrastructural stage.

Why it’s important: The new special condition is EASA’s firm set of rules directly regarding the development process for VTOL aircraft. Although some argue that the requirements may have been set forth too early, they provide clarity to the development teams of various different VTOLs, and a clear understanding for manufacturers, investors, and the public.

Sources // EASA Website

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EBACE2019 Panel Discusses eVTOL Concepts, UAM Strategy

26 May 2019 || 4 min read

The European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) is an annual gathering of people from every corner of the business aviation world, including business leaders, government officials, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), contractors, and operators. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA), the leading association for business aviation in Europe, and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the leading voice for the business...

EBACE2019 Panel Discusses eVTOL Concepts, UAM Strategy

26 May 2019 || 4 min read

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) expert Cyrus Sigari gave a detailed “State of the Union” briefing on the UAM industry as a whole. He later moderated a panel of eVTOL and UAM experts and business leaders at the exhibition on May 23. The discussion featured a wide array of innovators, from aerospace giant Airbus to startups companies like Volocopter. During the panel, Sigari emphasized the complexity that comes with building up an eVTOL solution and bringing it to market. “You have to build at least four different business units at the same time: manufacturing, certification, training and services,” which makes it “way harder” than simply introducing a new traditional airframe solution.

Sigari leads discussion on current and future eVTOL technology. // EBACE

Our ongoing Comprehensive Market Survey currently captures over 80 of these vehicles designed by companies all working to provide a solution for more efficient and effective urban air mobility. Though the same challenges exist – powering the vehicle, abiding by environmental standards and regulations, and integrating with air and ground infrastructure, to name a few – each solution could take a myriad of forms. EHANG and Volocopter, for example, utilize fixed rotor propulsion which have been optimized for shorter trips, while others such as Airbus’ Vahana utilize variable angle rotors in conjunction with a winged lifting surface for greater efficiency during longer intercity connections. Additionally, companies like Airbus and Lilium are pursuing great examples of what Sigari referred to as a “full-stack operator” model, where a single company aims to design, build, and operate their own UAM technology in a vertically integrated fashion. Ultimately, “we want to sell the ride directly to you,” according to Pascal Traverse, general manager for autonomy research at Airbus.

“Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are a highly anticipated urban mobility solution that can directly complement business aviation.” EBACE

This panel at EBACE2019 was also an opportunity for discussions regarding regulation and infrastructure, what many argue to be the crux of standing up a viable urban air mobility industry. The potential for highly-trafficked, low-altitude airspace in urban areas, combined with the integration of unmanned systems, mandates that this effort be highly collaborative between eVTOL operators, regulatory agencies, and city legislators. Volocopter’s head of business development, Christian Bauer, cited this as why “we always approach cities and regulators first, because we have to start and land somewhere.”

Why its important: These productive international gatherings of the world’s top business aviation professionals serve as an accelerator for an already rapidly-growing urban air mobility industry. The ideas and relationships formed at these discussions around the globe will continue to serve as the foundation necessary to tackle regulatory and infrastructural obstacles.

TransportUP would like to thank the EBAA and NBAA for hosting another successful year of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. The content of this article is derivative of a publication first made on May 23, 2019 on the EBACE webpage.

Drone Package Delivery in the US: Google’s Wing is First

05 May 2019 || 3 min read

Alphabet’s Wing Aviation is the first company to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate as an airline for drone delivery in the United States. Alphabet, parent company of Google, took in Wing Aviation as an independent subsidiary as of July 2018. Since then, Wing has been closely working with FAA regulatory officials to submit evidence and demonstrate that...

Drone Package Delivery in the US: Google’s Wing is First

05 May 2019 || 3 min read

Wing has worked for six years to build a small, lightweight aircraft and navigational system that can safely deliver small packages on demand to specific destinations in only a few minutes. The company has since flown over 70,000 test flights, and more than 3,000 deliveries to doorsteps, driveways and backyards of customers in Australia. To achieve this, the aircraft employs a hover propellor used to reduce noise, wings designed for efficient horizontal flight, a retractable tether for raising and lowering packages, and many other technical features.

A Virginia family receives a delivery as part of a Wing test flight in conjunction with the FAA.

Throughout the testing, safety has been emphasized as Wing Aviation’s number one priority. Additionally, the company has highlighted other the potential for the air delivery service to bolster local business, minimize carbon emissions and relieve road congestion, all while maintaining community and customer privacy.

Wing Aviation has also been working closely with the Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program (UAS IPP), which was created by the FAA. They have utilized this working relationship with the FAA to also be allocated a flight testing area near Virginia Tech, where flights have been conducted since 2016. With its new Air Carrier Certification in hand, the company says it hopes to expand deliveries in southwest Virginia, recruiting businesses and potential customers in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg areas who want to try out the delivery system.

Why it’s important: In order to make low-altitude airspace viable for drone transit, Wing Aviation plans to continue working closely with regulators and the aviation community in general. For the time being, the Air Carrier Certification is an important step that will ultimately allow Wing to create air delivery services for communities in the United States. Their service is enabling busy consumers to focus more time on the things that matter by providing access to goods such as food or medicine.

Sources // Wing, JustHelicopters

The FAA has laid the groundwork for expanded UAS operation beyond line-of-sight

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Hanwha Systems will officially enter the urban aerial mobility market as of Dec. 8th, as the CFIUS has approved Hanwha’s $25 million USD investment in Overair

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Volocopter is the first eVTOL startup on record to receive DOA from EASA.

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Amsterdam Drone Week opened this week, and urban air mobility took center stage.

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CAMI seeks to garner public support of urban air mobility as the technology and regulations progress.

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UPS now operates the first official drone airline with a full Part-135 FAA certification.

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Airbus and EASA will cooperate in developing the next generation of VTOL platforms

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The White House indicated it may be interested in the research and development of eVTOL aircraft.

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Global regulators and industry professionals discuss UAM industry operations at GUAS 2019.

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UAM faces regulatory and customer perception problems.

Playing catch-up

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XTI Aircraft has received a utility patent from the Japanese Patent Office for the technology and configuration of the company’s TriFan 600 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

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