The Future of Flying: The Dawn of Advanced Air Mobility
Remember those mesmerizing science magazines that promised us a future right out of a sci-fi epic? Flying cars, bustling skyways, and urban landing pads that seemed galaxies away?
Well, this vision for the future has arrived, and it's not just for dreamers; it's for pilots, too. This article guides you through the current seismic shifts, from rule proposals for pilot certifications, exciting Powered-Lift eVTOLs seeking certification, and the FAA design specs for all new 'Vertiports.'
What Is Advanced Air Mobility?
The FAA's Innovate28 implementation plan defines Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as a game-changing transportation system. It aims to revolutionize how we move people and goods through the sky, leveraging cutting-edge aircraft technologies. These include electric planes and vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles designed to operate in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
Drones were just the prelude. Those compact flying marvels sparked our imaginations, showcasing the capability of precise, sensor-driven automated control through 'distributed' propulsion. Scaling that technology to carry humans, flown by certified pilots, is the next logical step.
The bottleneck in e-aviation innovation was, for a long time, battery technology. But, the push for clean energy across many industries has accelerated battery advancements. While companies have been diligently crafting next-gen e-flying machines, the FAA has been equally proactive in setting the stage for an entirely new realm of aviation.
The current trajectory of this emergent field primarily targets operations that involve either passenger or cargo flights, but crucially with a pilot at the helm. While we may envision a world of fully autonomous flying cars, that reality is still reserved for the distant future. Whether it's due to issues of public trust or the FAA finding it too audacious to regulate at the moment, it spells excellent news for pilots.
It opens the door to new employment opportunities and gives rise to an entirely new sector within public transportation. These aircraft marry the most intriguing features of airplanes and helicopters, resulting in flying machines that would make any pilot's heart race.
The FAA anticipates these machines will serve multiple roles:
Ferrying crew to offshore oil platforms
Functioning as airborne ambulances
Offering urban air taxi services
e-VTOL Aircraft Certification EFFORTS
The FAA isn't introducing new certification requirements specifically for powered-lift aircraft. Rather, they found the existing regulations adequate for these novel machines.
The key lies in utilizing a 'special class' process under 14 CFR 21.17(b). It's a flexible approach that allows the FAA to accommodate the unique design features and varying degrees of automation found in eVTOL aircraft. The FAA can tailor the certification requirements to each aircraft design, drawing from existing standards for airplanes and rotorcraft and introducing unique criteria developed expressly for that product.
As a milestone, in late 2022, the FAA revealed airworthiness criteria for Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, which they must meet for their first eVTOLs to get the regulatory nod.
Spotlight: Joby Aviation
Joby Aviation has secured a Special Airworthiness Certificate for its inaugural aircraft, produced at the Pilot Production Line in Marina, California. This significant milestone will pave the way for the commencement of flight testing. The aircraft is poised to make history as the first-ever eVTOL vehicle delivered to a customer. The production line and the aircraft were developed in strategic collaboration with Toyota, a key partner and investor in the venture.
Image courtesy of Joby Aviation
Key Features:
Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL): Allows flexibility in serving various communities.
Zero Operating Emissions: Promotes sustainable travel.
Passenger Capacity: One pilot plus four riders.
Noise Level: As quiet as an everyday conversation.
Speed: Tops out at 200 mph.
Development: Over a decade of rigorous R&D.
Joby are promising a time-saving aerial ride-sharing experience that takes you from a downtown NYC heliport to JFK Airport in just 7 minutes. Joby Aviation aims to make this a reality by combining the convenience of traditional ridesharing with the advantages of flight. All are bookable with a simple tap on your mobile device, just like a regular ride-share.
Silent and Unobtrusive
Joby's engineering team has invested years in creating an aircraft that complements, rather than disrupts, everyday life. The result? Listen for yourself; it's genuinely as quiet as a casual conversation, almost imperceptible amidst the daily noise of urban living.
Having logged over 30,000 miles on their full-scale prototype, Joby Aviation is committed to meeting stringent safety standards. The company is undergoing a multi-year testing program with the FAA. They've completed the first two of five stages to certify their aircraft for commercial operations. We can't wait!
Spotlight: ARCHER Aviation
Archer Aviation has recently secured a Special Airworthiness Certificate from the FAA for its demonstrator aircraft, the 'Maker.' This essential certification enables Archer to kick-start flight testing for its eVTOL vehicle. With this crucial milestone behind them, Archer remains on course to conduct its first hover flight tests as planned. Archer's 'Maker' is a prototype, but their planned production model is the 'Midnight.' It draws heavily from SUV vehicle design and we think it's breathtaking...
Image courtesy of Archer Aviation
Key Features:
Electric Propulsion: Powered by six independent battery packs.
Range Versatility: Up to 100 miles but optimized for 20-50 mile urban trips.
High-Speed Mobility: Up to 150 mph.
Comfortable Seating: Accommodates one pilot and up to four passengers, with room for luggage.
Quick Turnaround: Back-to-back 20-mile flights with just 12 minutes of charge time in between.
Competitive Pricing: Direct operating costs aimed to rival ground-based rideshare services.
Redundant Safety: Equipped with multiple flight control computers and independent engine systems for maximum safety.
Archer is developing a proprietary electric powertrain system that aims to be more power-dense and efficient than anything currently on the market, all while promising a long service life.
A Strategy for the Future
Archer is setting a high bar for the future of aerial travel. With a goal of deploying 6,000 aircraft by 2030, their commercialization strategy is twofold:
Archer Direct Sales: The company has already secured United Airlines as its first customer, purchasing 100 eVTOL aircraft. The plan is to launch trunk routes from airports to city centers in collaboration with partners like United. Newark Airport to New York City in 10 minutes marks the first commercial electric air taxi route in the U.S., connecting Downtown Manhattan to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Urban Air Mobility: Archer plans to scale its aerial ridesharing service, initially leveraging existing and retrofitted infrastructure. As demand grows, high throughput take-off and landing infrastructure will be developed in partnership with other entities.
Archer is diligently working through the certification process, already completing the Conceptual Design Review in 2021 and aiming for FAA Type Certification for Midnight by late 2024. Archer's Midnight is a visual spectacle, and a technological marvel. We can't wait to see how this gorgeous machine takes flight.
e-VTOL Pilot Training and Certification
So, how do you get to pilot one of these incredible machines? The FAA has released a landmark proposal that outlines the rules and regulations for training and certifying eVTOL pilots. It's a whopper…
Here'S THE TLDR VERSION
Under the proposed rule:
A clear pathway is proposed for pilots to earn powered-lift ratings specific to each aircraft type. (Yes, type-ratings will be required.)
Pilots who work for powered-lift aircraft manufacturers could serve as the initial cadre of flight instructors, who could then train instructors at flight schools, training centers, and air carriers.
To safely accelerate pilot certification, alternate eligibility criteria enable certain pilots to meet flight-time experience requirements faster. This would apply to pilots with a commercial certificate with an instrument rating.
Powered-lift aircraft would mostly follow the same operating rules as traditional aircraft used in private and commercial flights and air tours.
The FAA intends to implement lasting amendments to parts 61, 135, and 142, tailored explicitly for powered-lift pilot and instructor certification.
“These proposed rules of the sky will safely usher in this new era of aviation and provide the certainty the industry needs to develop.”
In addition, a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) will provide temporary regulations, lasting around 10 years, to support the evolving industry landscape, streamline certification, and enhance safety measures.
Classes and Complications
The FAA's existing Part 61 regulations allow for a powered-lift category rating on a pilot's certificate, but classes were never deemed necessary. A distinct lack of certified civilian-based powered-lift aircraft makes building category time impossible under current regulations, meaning high-level FTDs will be an essential pathway.
The industry's advances have surpassed the FAA's initial expectations from the 1990s, presenting various powered-lift aircraft with complex design, flight mechanics, and automation levels. These designs range from 'tilt-wing' and 'tilt-propeller' to 'lift plus cruise' and 'tilt plus cruise' configurations. Many are capable of both VTOL operations and conventional takeoffs and landings.
'You Have The Inceptors…'
The unique flight controls in these aircraft, known as 'inceptors,' make for an interesting piloting experience: moving an inceptor doesn't directly alter a specific flight control surface. Given these nuances and the high stakes flying (these aircraft are anticipated to operate in low-altitude, congested urban spaces), the FAA has decided it's not feasible to lump these diverse machines into powered-lift 'classes' just yet.
Instead, the FAA advocates for specific aircraft training and evaluation to assess pilot competency. Put simply, a type rating is required, even if the aircraft weighs below 12,500 pounds. This aligns with international regulations: The ICAO mandates that a pilot-in-command of a powered-lift aircraft needs a type rating specific to that aircraft in the absence of established classes.
Operating Rules
The FAA is actively working on operational rules for powered-lift, which includes eVTOL aircraft. These unique vehicles blend the flight characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes, creating regulatory challenges.
The SFAR will temporarily integrate powered-lift into existing regulatory frameworks like parts 91, 97, 135, and 136. The FAA is keen to ensure that the rules governing powered-lift operations maintain the same level of safety as those for traditional aircraft.
The FAA proposes distinguishing between two flight modes for powered-lift:
Wing-borne is when the aircraft operates like a traditional airplane, and
Vertical-lift is when it functions more like a helicopter.
As an example of how this all works: Under part 91, the FAA proposes applying airplane rules, except for the helicopter provisions of §§ 91.126(b)(2) and 91.129(f)(2), when a powered-lift is operating in vertical-lift flight mode. When conducting approaches, these two regulations require helicopters to avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft in Class G and Class D airspace, respectively.
This proposal would provide flexibility for powered-lift operators capable of landing vertically to land at most helicopter pads and heliports, making the best use of existing infrastructure.
UAM Corridors: Real Skylanes
While AAM aircraft can be flown in the National Airspace System like any other aircraft, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is a concept of operations within AAM that concentrates on navigating urban airspace's unique challenges and opportunities.
For now, AAM aircraft are anticipated to operate within an altitude range from the surface up to 4,000 feet above ground level, mainly in urban and metropolitan locales. This situates them in or near Class B and C airspace surrounding bustling international airports. How do we handle such an influx of urban sky traffic without straining ATC workloads?
The UAM corridor concept conjures images akin to the fantastical 'sky lanes' often depicted in science fiction movies. These envisioned air corridors are being considered for facilitating safe and efficient aerial traffic in cities.
Initially, UAM corridors are expected to be simple, perhaps one-way tracks or single routes in each direction. However, as the technology matures and demand swells, these corridors will likely evolve into intricate systems, offering multiple 'tracks' and 'passing zones' that can accommodate a range of aircraft with varying capabilities.
Diagram courtesy of FAA
Until we reach the era of science fiction-inspired 'skylanes,' current navigational structures like VFR Flyways, Corridors, and Transition Routes stand as strong candidates for managing the increase in urban air traffic, particularly in cities that are enveloped by the Class B airspace of nearby international hubs.
Infrastructure
It's almost surreal to consider terms like 'Vertiports' and 'Vertistops' moving from the lexicon of science fiction into FAA design documents. The latest FAA engineering brief on vertiport design offers an exciting glimpse into the future, full of new signs, markings, and abbreviations.
“These vertiport design standards provide the foundation needed to begin safely building infrastructure in this new era.”
Vertiports and Vertistops
Vertiports: This collective term refers to public and private vertiports and vertistops. A vertiport is a hub for electric, hydrogen, and hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles. Beyond simply being a landing pad, vertiports may come equipped with associated buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.
Vertistop: Think of a vertistop as the pared-down version of a vertiport. The term generally indicates a minimally developed area designated for boarding and discharging passengers and cargo. A vertistop typically lacks fueling, maintenance, repairs, or aircraft storage amenities.
The Vertiport Design Standard
Pilots are no strangers to abbreviations, and the vertistop design guidelines offer some fresh terms to add to your glossary:
Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO): The FATO is a defined zone over which a VTOL aircraft navigates the final phase of its approach to hover or land. The aircraft also initiates takeoff from this area.
Touchdown and Liftoff Area (TLOF): This is a load-bearing, generally paved area situated at the center of the FATO. It is designated for the VTOL aircraft's touchdown or liftoff.
Safety Area: Surrounding the FATO is a designated Safety Area, implemented to mitigate the risk of damage should a VTOL aircraft unintentionally diverge from the FATO.
Diagram courtesy of FAA
Regarding the shape of the landing area, there are various options like circular, square, or rectangular designs. In 2011, the National EMS Pilots Association surveyed 1,314 EMS pilots on their preferred visual cues for gauging aircraft closure rate, altitude, attitude, and approach angle. The square shape emerged as the favored choice, outperforming circles, triangles, and octagons.
The Vertiport Identification Symbol
Introducing a novel yet essential visual cue: the vertiport identification marking. This distinct symbol not only identifies a location as a vertiport but also marks the Touchdown and Liftoff Area (TLOF) and furnishes indispensable visual aids for pilots.
Beneath the symbol, a white bar specifies the preferred approach and departure direction. This is strategically aligned with the predominant wind direction to minimize the challenges posed by downwind and crosswind operations.
Diagram courtesy of FAA
Dubbed the 'broken wheel,' this symbol emerged as the runner-up in a 1967 study to identify the most visible and informative marking for heliports. Interestingly, the Maltese Cross initially clinched the top position and was even adopted by the FAA for heliports, only to be later repealed.
Functions of the Broken Wheel Symbol:
Vertiport Identification: Clearly marks a location as a vertiport.
Directional Control: Assists pilots in maintaining the correct course during approach.
Attitude Reference: A reference field for pilots to maintain attitude throughout the approach.
Closure Rate Control: Aids pilots in regulating the approach speed toward the landing area.
Convergence Point: Functions as a focus for precise landings.
Overhead Assistance: Provides guidance when the aircraft is directly over the vertiport.
I can already hear the checkride questions forming... 'Alright! What are the six functions of the broken wheel symbol!?' Just remember 'CADVOC,' and you'll have em' down!
Approach and Departure Paths
Diagram courtesy of FAA
Interestingly, additional markings on the vertiport play a vital role in flight path alignment. These markings indicate the available directions for both approach and departure. An arrow pointing towards the TLOF signifies an approach direction, while one pointing away indicates a departure path.
These arrow markings are unidirectional, featuring just one arrowhead for vertiports restricted to a single approach or departure direction. On the other hand, if a vertiport permits a bidirectional approach and departure paths, the arrow markings will feature two arrowheads.
The small box that says '7, D50' is information for the landing pad limitations. This pad can hold 7000 pounds and accommodate a maximum rotor width of 50 feet.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the future of advanced air mobility demands innovative thinking and a meticulous approach to rule-making. The FAA's forward-looking operational regulations for powered-lift and eVTOL aircraft indicate a conscious effort to adapt the traditional aviation norms to the unique characteristics of these new-age vehicles.
With comprehensive planning and evolving regulations, the aviation industry seems poised for a transformative phase, creating new avenues for operators and aspiring pilots.
Being alive for these remarkable leaps in aviation technology is exciting and inspiring. It's a thrilling glimpse into the soon-to-be future where a new frontier is waiting to be explored, understood, and safely navigated.
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