What a world with eVTOLs could potentially look like
by Elisabeth A. Tate
In case you have not been following the news, eVTOLs are gaining steam as viable new frontier in aviation. NASA is currently working with various experts to research and develop solutions to integrate advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft pragmatically. Numerous companies have been working tirelessly to engineer these next generation AAMs, including heavy weights like Boeing and Lockheed. However, many people, both within and outside of the industry are probably wondering how AAM and eVTOLs will fit into our existing infrastructure.
For those just tuning in, eVTOLs are aircraft that can perform “vertical take off and landing” operations. If it sounds like what a helicopter does—technically you are correct—but eVTOLs are slightly more complicated than traditional rotorcraft (not to mention they are powered electronically, hence the “e” designator).
There are some major challenges AAMs will have to overcome before they merge with the traditional ecosystem. First is setting a safety standard. According to NASA, the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project is supporting ongoing research on assessing all aspects of crash safety, the physical effects AAMs will have on passengers in flight, pilot workload and meteorological safety of the aircraft. These must be established in order to not only create new regulations specific to AAM operation limitations, but to develop training programs for pilots manning these aircraft.
Another challenge is the logistical aspect of where eVTOLs will operate. Will they depart and land at the numerous airports around the nation? Or will they be stationed at their own specialized airfield? Paul Sciarra, executive chairman at Joby Aviation Inc, offers an example of what eVTOL services could look like. Sciarra revealed in an interview with 60 Minutes that passengers would be able to use an app to order a car that drops them off at a “vertiport,” from there the passenger boards an eVTOL and flies to a final destination.
One of the functions that authorities hope to achieve with eVTOLs is to alleviate the traffic congestion around urban areas with short-haul flights. NASA reports they are partnered with five local and state transportation agencies that are working toward finding way to incorporate eVTOLs into their transit systems.
Merging new eVTOLs into the aviation industry is becoming a reality. The U.S. Government of Accountability Office reported stakeholders in the industry predict we could start seeing eVTOL activities on a small scale in the next five years. This initial phase will be critical in determining how to increase the applications as well as how best to implement eVTOLs in different environments. Who knows, within ten years autonomous air taxis will rival ride sharing services as the most common form of local transportation.
