Tag: urban air mobility

A Helicopter Operator’s Perspective on eVTOL Adoption

14 April 2019 || 4 min read

For 35 years, Helijet has been providing regional helicopter flights around British Columbia, Canada. The company is now publicly traded and regarded as the world’s largest scheduled helicopter airline, having carried more than 2.5 million passengers with an exceptional reputation for safe and on-time flights. Helijet currently operates over 300 weekly urban flights between mainland Vancouver and Victoria on Vancouver...

A Helicopter Operator’s Perspective on eVTOL Adoption

14 April 2019 || 4 min read

One of Helijet’s founders, and current President CEO Danny Sitnam, described the leap of faith it took to begin operations of scheduled helicopter flights in a financially sustainable way. Now, Sitnam says the company is developing a plan to integrate eVTOL operation in to Helijet’s business model; first they must focus on gaining increasing access to vertiports by working with city planners and communities in order to “gain the understanding, trust and respect needed for new eVTOL landing sites, so they can be designed to stick around for the long haul like airports.”

A Helijet vertiport in British Columbia, Canada // Helijet Photo

Helijet sees eVTOL technology as an opportunity to fill a gap in the currently available routes the company provides. Many passengers live in sprawling, suburban areas and commute to downtown areas, both in which vertiport access may be difficult. Sitnam envisions eVTOL aircraft as the solution to this problem: “Deplane helicopter, transfer onto an eVTOL, and get into your suburbia areas in very real, effortless time.”

Sitnam also sees the rising eVTOL technologies as an opportunity for Helijet to continue operations in a more environmentally sustainable way. By operating electric-powered vehicles, the company could minimize both noise and air pollution caused by traditional helicopters.

Additionally, Sitnam emphasized the potential for eVTOL aircraft to play a role in providing aid to environments where people are in more critical need of the technology, whether it be due to war, inadequate resources, or other fundamental needs. In these scenarios, Sitnam pointed out, people are far less likely to question the technology which is supporting them and providing resources, and could be a faster road to gaining public acceptance of UAM operations.

Why its important: Helijet President and CEO Danny Sitnam has articulated the potential of eVTOL technologies in the urban air mobility industry, but also the development that must occur prior to implementation. From an operator’s perspective, public acceptance must still be gained, infrastructure and accessibility must be improved, and trust in long-lasting eVTOL transportation must be established.

Source // Wings Magazine

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Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

16 December 2018 || 3 min read

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

16 December 2018 || 3 min read

Electrafly, a self-funded aviation startup based in Utah, has announced plans to partner with Utah’s very own dedicated unmanned aircraft system test sight operator Deseret. Set to begin in 2019, flights over the FAA-sanctioned test area will work all the way up to forward flight of a single passenger. The aircraft, dubbed the Electraflyer, is a hybrid electric multi-copter, meaning it features the combination of a gas powered turbine and several electrically driven propellers. All-together the distributed propulsion system produces enough thrust to carry the 75 lb. airframe and a single person.

Electrafly prototype hybrid electric multicopter Deseret

The electrafly prototype, with its four winged propeller arms, combines the best qualities of fixed wing and multicopter aircraft.

Deseret Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is a company dedicated to the advancement of drone related technology under development in Utah. Furthermore, it intends to attract new businesses to its home state. Tulinda Larsen, executive director of Deseret UAS believes “the biggest untapped resource in the U.S. and the world is our airspace”. Deseret currently has access to a smaller test facility, called the Xperience Center, and is working to secure larger FAA approved test sights throughout Utah.

Electrafly single passenger hybrid electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft

ElectraFly’s founder and director of development John Manning is optimistic about the partnership with Deseret. “The work that Deseret UAS is doing is really a miracle for us in terms of how the timing is working out,” Manning said. “Having designated flight areas where FAA exemptions are in place is critical to us and the industry to making continued research progress.” Consistent effort is critical to new entrants in the rapidly growing urban air mobility market. In addition to the manned test flights with Deseret, Electrafly will pursue an initial application of its technology in unmanned package delivery.

Electrafly Electraflyer John Manning Deseret vtol hybrid electric

Electrafly founder John Manning joins the wings to the center section of the prototype Electraflyer aircraft.

Why it’s Important: Test flights in designated areas will prove key in traversing the difficult regulatory landscaping that opposes urban air mobility startups. This partnership between Electrafly and Deseret UAS sets an example for how similar companies across the globe can prove their technology is safe and ready to launch.

European Regulators Discuss Pathway to Urban Air Mobility at GAMA Talks

10 December 2018 || 3 min read

European Regulators Discuss Pathway to Urban Air Mobility at GAMA Talks

10 December 2018 || 3 min read

European aviation regulators and corporate officials from eight countries met last month to address growth in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) market. Talks led by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) took place in Brussels and Cologne. Discussion was centered around safely introducing the support structure necessary for “making flying more accessible to the public”. Talks included sessions on certification, maintenance, operations, licensing and airspace management. GAMA eVTOL sub-committee co-chair Anna Dietich released a statement previewing the determination of attendees to accommodate emerging aircraft technology. She said, “leveraging the body of existing rules and standards wherever possible while appropriately addressing the new aspects of this industry will help us efficiently achieve our shared goals for safe, innovative vehicles that provide significant value to society.”

Rolls Royce eVTOL flying taxi concept GAMA

British aerospace giant Rolls Royce’s electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) concepts. One of many futuristic flying taxi aircraft currently under development in Europe.

These talks are part of promising cooperation between European regulatory officials and the urban air mobility industry. One attendee of the talks, German Federal State Minister for Digitisation Dorothee Bär, affirmed regulatory intentions by stating, “I think there is tremendous potential for Europe and beyond, urban air mobility will become part of our daily life”.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association is a professional organization committed to promoting interests of the aviation industry. Their mission as published on the GAMA website is, “to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests and activities of the global business and general aviation industry.” Members of the multi-national organization are companies and business units “directly responsible for and primarily engaged in the production or manufacture of general aviation products.”

Terrafugia TF-2 air vehicle concept docking GAMA

Terrafugia TF-2 air vehicle concept. Terrafugia was one of several companies represented in the talks.

Why it’s Important: As new urban air mobility/flying taxi concepts become commercially available, regulatory agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will need to manage regulatory policy to ensure safe operation within the existing airspace. Talks like this one are crucial to enforce collaboration between all stakeholders involved.

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Tag: urban air mobility

A Helicopter Operator’s Perspective on eVTOL Adoption

A Helicopter Operator’s Perspective on eVTOL Adoption

Subscribe to the TransportUP Newsletter

Listen to the TransportUP Podcast

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

Electrafly, Deseret Partner to Test Hybrid-Electric Multicopter in Utah

European Regulators Discuss Pathway to Urban Air Mobility at GAMA Talks

European Regulators Discuss Pathway to Urban Air Mobility at GAMA Talks

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