A consortium of urban air mobility and aviation companies has started work on a concept of operations for integrating air taxis and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) into the UK’s airspace.
The consortium is led by Eve, the first company to graduate from EmbraerX. It will be working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority as part of its Future Air Mobility Regulatory Sandbox.
The project will examine how eVTOLs may operate in transporting passengers and cargo over urban and regional areas.
The consortium includes Heathrow Airport, London City Airport, NATS, Skyports, Atech, Volocopter and Vertical Aerospace.
David Tait, Head of Innovation at the UK CAA, said, “The Regulatory Sandbox was established to create an environment where innovation in aviation can be explored in line with the Civil Aviation Authority’s core principles of safety, security, and consumer protection.
“This project was selected to join the Sandbox as it will help us to develop a strategic framework for harmonising the low-level airspace, which will support the development of urban and regional air mobility operations across the UK.”
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The consortium will explore how eVTOLs can transport passengers from London City Airport (LCY) to Heathrow Airport (LHR), with stops in between. Data from simulations will help policymakers develop community-friendly rules, mitigate community noise impacts, and draft airspace procedures for future flight tests.
“Today, flights between London City Airport and Heathrow Airport are limited, and the routes are designed specifically for helicopters,” said David Rottblatt, Vice President of Business Development and leader of the Urban Air Traffic Management project for Eve.
“We aim to demonstrate to the public why regulatory support is required to build eVTOL-specific routes.”
Eve Urban Air Mobility Solutions
Eve is a new, independent company dedicated to accelerating the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem. Eve is taking a holistic approach to progressing the UAM ecosystem, with an advanced electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) project, a comprehensive global services and support network, and a unique air traffic management solution.
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