April 19, 2021 - No. 30 In This Issue : Technology and the environment will have a major impact on aviation in the next 10-15 years, says Loganair boss : Volocopter and Geely Present Volocopter Model at Auto Shanghai 2021 : This Technology Could Zap Unpleasant Odors From Aircraft Cabins : FAA Says Internet Preflights Better Than Flight Service Briefings : Florida Tech powers ‘Silicon Valley of Space’ : Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG partner to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste : SITA Slashes Passenger Processing Time at Istanbul Airport with Smart Low Touch Solution : Cardo Crew Launches New Mesh Communication Technology That Could Transform Communication For The Aviation Industry : A self-flying Cessna just completed a fully automated flight with no pilot input as startup Xwing seeks to revolutionize aviation : Urban Air Mobility Is The Best Long-Term Alternative To Flying Cars : SpaceX's NASA contract has sparked reaction from industry figures seeking details. Blue Origin says it is 'looking to learn more about the selection.' Technology and the environment will have a major impact on aviation in the next 10-15 years, says Loganair boss ENVIRONMENTAL factors and technology will drive significant changes in aviation over the next 10 to 15 years, according to Jonathan Hinkles, chief executive of Loganair. Asked by Donald Martin, editor of The Herald and The Herald on Sunday and host of the Go Radio Business Show with Hunter & Haughey what the future holds for the industry, Mr Hinkles said: “I am very comfortable that within the next 10 to 15 years we will be flying a significant proportion of our flights powered by hydrogen and/or electric power. “I have never seen a rate of progress such as there is at the moment going into that whole area and it is fascinating.” Discussing technology, he said that Loganair had also been exploring the use of drones to deliver food and supplies to some of Scotland’s small islands. “The pace at which technology is evolving … it’s something I have not seen in just coming up to 30 years in aviation.” Mr Hinkles, who started his career in aviation with Qatar when it was a fledgling airline with just six plans, said: “There are going to be big changes, driven by environmental factors and the step-change in technology.” https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19241076.technology-environment-will-major-impact-aviation-next-10-15-years-says-loganair-boss/ Volocopter and Geely Present Volocopter Model at Auto Shanghai 2021 Today, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), Volocopter, and the global mobility technology group, Geely Technology Group, presented Volocopter’s electric air taxi, the 2X, for the first time in China at Geely’s booth at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition 2021. The companies are highlighting their cooperation and aim to introduce urban air mobility to the Chinese market and give visitors the chance to learn more about this new form of transport. Urban air mobility (UAM) is an emerging part of the aviation industry focused on aerial connectivity in and around cities. As a pioneer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi technology, Volocopter has paved the way for creating the ecosystem needed to provide electric air taxi services within cities around the world. Together with Geely Technology Group, Volocopter is beginning the process of introducing these mobility services in China and creating a scalable model for production and operations. Since announcing Geely’s strategic investment in Volocopter in 2019, the companies have been using their combined expertise in mobility to identify where electric air taxi services could be best introduced in China. “Geely’s market leadership in China and forward-thinking approach to expanding mobility options make them a great strategic investor. They are an invaluable partner for bringing urban air mobility to China – one of the most promising markets for the UAM industry globally,” says Florian Reuter, CEO Volocopter. Volocopter and Geely Technology Group have agreed to enter a joint venture to make UAM services in China a reality and already applied for a business license. Public awareness is one of the key factors to successfully introduce this new mobility concept. Volocopter and Geely Technology Group are presenting the full-size Volocopter 2X for the first time in China at Geely’s booth at the Auto Shanghai 2021 to show the concrete value electric air taxi services will provide. “Volocopter is the pioneer and leader of safe, sustainable, and practical eVTOL solutions for air taxi services in cities around the world,” says Charlie Jing, CEO of Aerofugia, a subsidiary of Geely Technology Group. “Together, we will have both the technology and means of production to launch urban air mobility ecosystems in Chinese cities.” Volocopter 2X is known for its safety and exceptionally low noise emission. The aircraft has nine exchangeable batteries powering 18 rotors. This design gives the system a remarkably high redundancy, ensuring that even if one or several rotors fail, the aircraft can land safely. Furthermore, the smaller rotor blades are a significant feature for the low and agreeable Volocopter sound signature. Its low buzzing resembles the sound of a beehive. Flying at a height of 100 m, one will not be able to hear it at regular street noise levels. In 2019, the Volocopter 2X successfully flew over Singapore’s Marina Bay and showed that piloted electric air taxi integration in air traffic management (ATM) and unmanned traffic management (UTM) was possible. Today, the two-seater model, which has previously flown several test campaigns, represents the electric air taxi vision Volocopter and Geely Technology Group aim to introduce in China. For future services, Volocopter will be using their fifth-generation aircraft, the VoloCity, which is currently in the certification process with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It will have an increased speed of 110 km/h and longer flight duration of 35 minutes (after accounting for reserve battery and headwind). About Volocopter GmbH  Volocopter is building the world’s first sustainable and scalable urban air mobility business to bring affordable air taxi services to megacities worldwide. With the VoloCity, the company is developing the first fully electric “eVTOL” aircraft in certification to transport passengers safely and quietly within cities. Volocopter leads and cooperates with partners in infrastructure, operations, and air traffic management to build the ecosystem necessary to ‘Bring Urban Air Mobility to Life’. In 2011, Volocopter performed the first-ever crewed flight of a purely electric multicopter and has since showcased numerous public flights with its full-scale aircraft. The most notable have been the public test flights at Singapore’s Marina Bay in October 2019 and the world’s first autonomous eVTOL flight in Dubai 2017. Volocopter is also developing products for the logistics space with their heavy-lift cargo variant, the VoloDrone. Founded in 2011 by Stephan Wolf and Alexander Zosel, Volocopter has 300 employees in offices in Bruchsal, Munich, and Singapore. The company has raised a total of €322 million in equity. Volocopter‘s investors include Daimler, Geely, DB Schenker, BlackRock, and Intel Capital amongst others. Find out more at: www.volocopter.com About Geely Technology Group Geely Technology Group is an innovation-driven group, focusing on corporate investment and operation. As a corporate investor and operator in MaaS technology sector, the Group has built a diversified “6+X” business portfolio. “6” refers to the Group’s major business unit which covers Light-weight Material Technology, Battery Swapping Ecosystem, Energy Technology, General Aviation, Commercial Aerospace, and Motorcycles. While “X” refers to the incubation of tech sector enterprises which could possibly become new giants in the future. Currently, the Group has invested in and operates 32 subsidiaries enterprises, manages over 130 billion RMB in assets, has total valuation over 170 billion RMB, and employs more than 28,000 employees. The Group subsidiaries provide high-quality products and services around the world. Geely Technology Group has made significant investment in general aviation with Aerofugia being the key platform to carry out related businesses. As a leading solution provider and operator with strong engineering, manufacturing and service capabilities, Aerofugia has earned its reputation and name in the high-tech general aviation industry. https://uasweekly.com/2021/04/19/volocopter-and-geely-present-volocopter-model-at-auto-shanghai-2021/ This Technology Could Zap Unpleasant Odors From Aircraft Cabins Leading aviation product manufacturer Panasonic Aerospace has come up with an innovative solution to the age-old problem of bad smells. Its Nanoe technology has been tried and tested in the beauty market, as well as in automotive settings. Now, it is set to debut in premium aircraft cabins, and could spell the end to nasty niffs onboard. What’s that smell? There’s nothing worse than being trapped in a small space with a bad smell. In the aircraft cabin, the scent of an egg sandwich someone brought with them, the waft of sweaty feet as the guy in front relieves himself of his shoes, or any of the other nasty niffs onboard can turn our dream flight into a living nightmare. Being cooped up in a small space with something, or someone, that doesn’t smell too great is not a pleasant prospect. At home, we use plug-in or spray air fresheners to neutralize nasty odors; why shouldn’t aircraft be able to similarly banish bad smells like this? Panasonic Aero believes they should, and has developed a solution that is set to change the onboard atmosphere. As part of its suite of Wellness products, Panasonic has introduced a technology it calls ‘Nanoe’ – an air cleanser that eliminates odors, and effectively tackles bacteria too. How does it work? The inspiration for Nanoe came not from aviation, but from Panasonic’s health and beauty division. The technology has been utilized for years in Panasonic hair dryers, irons, facial steamers, air conditioners and humidifiers, but has recently started making its way into the transport sector too. The technology uses tiny, non-toxic, electrostatic charged particles of water, known as nanoparticles. These tiny particles, around 15,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, are capable of encapsulating bad odors and suppressing them. Panasonic likens them to the technology seen in modern air fresheners like Febreze. The tiny particles are capable of penetrating passengers’ clothing as well as the fabrics used in passenger seating. The idea to use this on aircraft came after its automotive division saw great success in the car market, with their Onboard Nanoe Generator. In-car testing showed that the technology can eliminate 99% of bacteria and the majority of odors within 20 – 30 minutes of use. Panasonic said, “…when we started to see its potential applications on the automotive front, we decided that bringing nanoe™ into the airplane cabin was not only possible, but essential to offering passengers an optimal wellness experience.” The product is being positioned as part of a suite of wellness solutions that include noise-canceling seats, active surfaces to reduce contamination and premium seat lighting for in-flight light therapy. Flying soon Panasonic is confident that the Nanoe product will soon begin appearing in aircraft cabins. The technology leverages existing Panasonic air filtration technology, with small, easily embeddable modules that can be added to cabins, lavatories, galleys and more. The concept is set to debut in first and business class cabins, but Panasonic remains confident that it will make its way into more areas of the plane as time goes on. The company believes that, along with its other wellness products, Nanoe will engineer a better passenger experience for all. https://simpleflying.com/aircraft-cabins-odor-zap/ FAA Says Internet Preflights Better Than Flight Service Briefings The FAA now says pilots should do their own preflight self-briefing on the internet before flying and use Flight Service “in a consultative capacity” if they run into trouble. The agency has issued an advisory circular (AC) that essentially codifies what most pilots have been doing for a decade or more. “The FAA considers that a self-briefing may be compliant with current federal aviation regulations,” noting that there is likely better information available from the myriad apps and websites devoted to that purpose than by phoning a briefer. “By self-briefing, pilots can often improve their knowledge of weather and aeronautical information. Flight Service personnel are available should a pilot need assistance.” The AC was issued March 15 and acknowledges that aviation technology has moved on from the 1-800-WX-BRIEF number drilled into student pilots for decades and that it should only be used as a backup. “Pilots are encouraged to utilize online automated weather resources to conduct self-briefings prior to contacting Flight Service,” the AC says. “Pilots who have preflight weather/risk assessment and risk mitigation skills are better prepared to make in-flight decisions as real-time weather information is consumed. This allows Flight Service to become a consultative resource that can be utilized when needed.” The AC isn’t a rule or a law and a legal preflight can still be obtained from Flight Service to satisfy the regs. https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-says-internet-pre-flights-better-than-flight-service-briefings/ Florida Tech powers ‘Silicon Valley of Space’ For more than 60 years, Florida Tech has helped educate and produce the workforce of tomorrow. Brevard County is the Silicon Valley of space, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Recognized for being home to Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Brevard has also steadily deepened its A-list roster of top aerospace and technology companies, which now includes Blue Origin, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, L3Harris, Embraer and Aerion Supersonic. From legacy operations to cutting-edge start-ups, these companies are planning and demonstrating the future of space, aviation and technology every day from their facilities across the Space Coast. All this innovation needs a power source, of course, and located in amid this high-tech business hub is a major outlet: Florida Institute of Technology. For more than 60 years, the private university known as Florida Tech has helped educate and produce the workforce that these top aerospace and technology companies require. With alumni like Joe Bussenger, lead engineer at SpaceX, and soon-to-be graduates like Josh Connolly, a computer engineering major who launched Florida Tech’s cybersecurity competition team, the university has helped prepare industry-altering professionals for their future careers. Founded in 1958 by NASA scientists and aerospace industry entrepreneurs, the school dubbed “Florida’s STEM University” has grown into a comprehensive, research-intensive national institution offering undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees. And as it has grown, so, too, has its collection of accolades. Florida Tech has been named a Tier One Best National University by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years. It ranks among the top four universities in Florida according to a recently released range of new 2021 data from Intelligent.com, and among the top-50 southern universities and second among all private universities in Florida by the Wall Street Journal. It’s also the only Florida school — and one of just 17 universities nationwide — on The Fiske Guide to Colleges Top Technical Institute for engineering list and among the top 5% of 20,000 universities from around the world, according to the 2020-21 World University Rankings from the Center for World University Rankings, considered the largest academic ranking of international schools. The private university is currently educating 3,300 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students in engineering and science; aeronautics; psychology and liberal arts; and business, across its 2.1-million-square-foot campus in Melbourne. But the university has plans to expand. The latest project is set to open in late 2021. The $18 million, 61,000-square-foot Health Sciences Research Center will focus on biomedical engineering and sciences to help meet the expected surge in those fields in the coming years. The university’s programs and infrastructure are setting Florida Tech students up for success after graduation, with 95% of recent graduates finding a job or entering graduate school. And when they enter the workforce, more than half (55%) decide to stay on the Space Coast. Florida Tech students do well in another key metric: salaries. PayScale.com recently reported that the university earned the No. 2 spot in the Southeast for graduates’ starting salaries and the top spot in the Southeast for mid-career salaries. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/421323-florida-tech-powers-silicon-valley-of-space/ Alaska Airlines and SkyNRG partner to advance sustainable aviation fuel made from municipal solid waste Alaska Airlines, Seattle, and SkyNRG Americas, Bend, Oregon, announced on April 14 the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to increased investment in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Under the MOU, SkyNRG Americas will initially focus on the development of dedicated SAF production facilities to supply western U.S. airports to meet Alaska Airlines’ needs. These facilities will use commercially available technologies that enable the use of municipal solid waste and other waste-based inputs as feedstocks, as well as incorporating green hydrogen and renewable energy for minimizing carbon intensity. Beyond the focus of building out SAF production capacity, SkyNRG Americas and Alaska Airlines will continue to build awareness and understanding of SAF technologies, and advocate for public policies to accelerate the development of the SAF industry and infrastructure. "This is a critical next step in our long-term plan to reduce carbon emissions and our impact on the planet," Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Alaska Airlines, says. "We have been working for more than a decade to advance SAF technology and viability, and we're excited to partner with SkyNRG's experienced team to advance truly sustainable production of SAF, develop supply in the Pacific Northwest, and engage partners for a commercially viable and scalable future for sustainable fuels." "We are thrilled to collaborate with Alaska Airlines for the production of sustainable fuels," John Plaza, CEO of SkyNRG Americas, says. "Alaska Airlines is already one of the most fuel-efficient airlines in the U.S., and an ideal partner not only to support SAF demand but also to help drive necessary policy changes that will encourage development of the SAF industry across the Pacific Northwest and the nation as a whole." This collaboration builds on the Alaska-Microsoft partnership announced in October 2020, aiming to use SAF to offset Microsoft employee travel between Seattle and San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles. https://www.wastetodaymagazine.com/article/alaska-airlines-municipal-solid-waste-fuel-skynrg/ SITA Slashes Passenger Processing Time at Istanbul Airport with Smart Low Touch Solution ISTANBUL – 19 April 2021 – SITA, the technology provider for the air transport industry, today announced the results of its biometric-enabled Proof of Concept (PoC) designed to support a low-touch passenger experience and optimize passenger processing at Istanbul Airport (iGA). The six-month trial showed a 30% reduction in boarding times and increased satisfaction of participating passengers and airlines, as well as reducing risks associated with COVID-19 thanks to the low-touch passenger journey. The intuitive biometric solution allowed airline agents to easily enroll passengers on the existing SITA Flex common-use check-in counters. Once enrolled, passengers were able to simply scan their face at every step of the way, from security check, lounge access, and boarding, without having to touch any surfaces. The PoC conducted with Turkish Airlines involved the use of sophisticated biometric technology across multiple touchpoints. These included a common use terminal (CUTE) for Smart Path enrolment, a PaxCheck boarding pass verification point where passengers gain access to the gates, iGA lounge access verification, and boarding gate verification. Hani El-Assaad, president, Middle East, India and Africa (MEIA), SITA said: “SITA is considered as the technology partner of iGA in terms of airport systems and operations with solutions implemented throughout the airport. This latest PoC harnesses existing SITA technology infrastructure including SITA Smart Path and SITA Flex to further optimize passenger processing at a time when safety and efficiency are in sharp focus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Safety and operational efficiency have become critical factors for airports and airlines to emerge from the pandemic according to the latest SITA IT Insights report. As passengers return to the skies, new health-focused processes such as PCR test verification present operational challenges to reduce congestion at airports. Ersin Inankul, chief digital and commercial officer, iGA added: “Despite the challenging economic environment we are confident that smart technology implementations are crucial to boost passenger confidence and increase the airport’s efficiency. Istanbul Airport is a technology-driven airport and we’re proud to be leading the way in terms of low touch smart systems that can help keep passengers safe while reducing operational burdens on the airport.” https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/airport-technology/press-release/21219065/sita-sita-slashes-passenger-processing-time-at-istanbul-airport-with-smart-low-touch-solution Cardo Crew Launches New Mesh Communication Technology That Could Transform Communication For The Aviation Industry Cardo Crew, an expert in global wireless intercom solutions that specialises in providing reliable, hands-free wireless intercom for teams on the move, has launched its new mesh communication solution that could transform Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and dramatically improve communications and safety in the aviation sector. The Cardo Crew PRO-1 is a lightweight mesh communication module that fits inside PPE such as helmets and ear guards. It is designed for PPE manufacturers to introduce team communication to hectic, dangerous on-scene environments, making it ideal for the aviation industry, where communication is vital in managing risk, preventing work-related incidents, and improving on-site safety. Ground handling at airports plays an essential role in the safe and profitable operation of an airline and airports. Just a five minute delay in turning an aircraft around can result in a cost to an large airline of up to $35 million in a single year. And it’s a complex business. IATA estimates that there are over 200 separate operations involved in turning an aircraft round. Poor communication between ground handling staff can lead to collision damage, maintenance errors and consequent delays. By targeting the aviation sector with its latest communication technology, Cardo Crew aims to help PPE manufacturers keep workers safe by providing robust and efficient comms, which is crucial when it comes to mitigating risk and accidents. The PRO-1 launch follows an overall successful 2020 for Cardo Crew, securing new OEM partnerships in Europe and the Middle East in both civil and military Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) markets. Cardo Crew has also launched a new PROmesh mobile app for efficient management of its PRO-1 device, providing rapid set up of an intercom network from anywhere and real-time control of preferences. “We believe there is a real need for hands-free communication for dynamic teams working in notoriously noisy, hazardous environments at relatively close distances, which is why we are targeting the aviation industry. Given the higher rate of workplace injuries in the sector, it’s clear that there is still work to be done to ensure safer working practices,” said Shachar Harari, Chief Business Officer & Head of Cardo Crew. “That’s why we’re excited to introduce our latest technology into the sector via OEMs, so we can improve communication, safety and workflow for workers in the aviation industry.” Pioneered by Cardo Crew, the PRO-1 uses mesh communications technology, which provides two-way, hands-free communications for groups of 2-15 workers at a range of up to 3 Kilometers. It operates as an autonomous network, removing the need to install base stations, with each device working like a mini-communications hub in its own right, making it ideal and safe for busy teams on-site, offering robust, short-range critical comms. https://www.totaltele.com/509351/Cardo-Crew-Launches-New-Mesh-Communication-Technology-That-Could-Transform-Communication-For-The-Aviation-Industry A self-flying Cessna just completed a fully automated flight with no pilot input as startup Xwing seeks to revolutionize aviation Fully self-flying planes are moving closer and closer to becoming an everyday reality. Xwing, a Bay Area aviation startup, just completed its first "gate-to-gate" autonomous flight with its flagship aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B. All pilots had to do was sit back and monitor while the plane started up, taxied out, took off, flew, landed, taxied back, and shut down all on its own. The flight took place in February 2021 at Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, California just outside of San Francisco. A pilot was inside the aircraft but merely to watch over the systems, talk to air traffic control, and take over for the automated system if need be. Another pair of eyes was keeping close watch from Xwing's "mission control center," to where data from the aircraft include speed, altitude, pitch, and location was continuously fed. "Over the past year, our team has made significant advancements in extending and refining our AutoFlight system to seamlessly integrate ground taxiing, take-offs, landings, and flight operations, all supervised from our mission control center via redundant data links," Marc Piette, chief executive officer and founder of Xwing, said in a statement. The Grand Caravan is a tried and true aviation workhorse, with Xwing's model powered by a turboprop Pratt & Whitney PT6A-114A engine offering 675 shaft horsepower. Its range is around 1,000 nautical miles, enough to fly non-stop from San Francisco to cities like Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Seattle, and even Denver, if conditions allow. And as many as 14 occupants can be carried by the plane. The Grand Caravan has uses in both the passenger and cargo realm, with Xwing looking to serve the latter "As we work to bring our technology to market, I'm particularly looking forward to building out our commercialization strategy to bring consumers and logistics companies the most effective air cargo solutions available," Jesse Kallman, Xwing's vice president of commercialization and strategy, said in a statement. Xwing has joined the worldwide COVID-19 airlift with cargo flights carrying 800 pounds of personal protective equipment to the Navajo Nation in Arizona, performed autonomously from takeoff to landing. And major cargo carriers already rely on the Grand Caravan for flights. FedEx Express is one of many that uses the aircraft to reach remote communities. Essential air service carriers, or those that are subsidized by the government to fly to underserved American communities, including Southern Airways Express and Air Choice One also use the Grand Caravan for some flights. These flights could one day be operated autonomously thanks to Xwing's technology. Xwing estimates that cost savings could be in the 20-30% range for an aircraft operator including everything from pilot training and salaries to overnighting expenses. That doesn't necessarily mean flights will be completely pilot-free, however, as companies like Airbus have said that their tech is intended to aid onboard pilots rather than replace them completely. Airbus is also leading the charge towards self-flying planes, having demonstrated successful autonomous taxi, takeoff, and landing maneuvers with an Airbus A350-1000 XWB. Xwing just announced a total funding raise of $55 million and has been identified by venture capitalists such as Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures and Kirsten Bartok of AirFinance as one of the leaders in the autonomous aviation space. The company was operating in stealth until May 2020. https://www.businessinsider.com/self-flying-cessna-completes-fully-automated-flight-xwing-2021-4#xwing-just-announced-a-total-funding-raise-of-55-million-and-has-been-identified-by-venture-capitalists-such-as-andrew-beebe-of-obvious-ventures-and-kirsten-bartok-of-airfinance-as-one-of-the-leaders-in-the-autonomous-aviation-space-the-company-was-operating-in-stealth-until-may-2020-19 Urban Air Mobility Is The Best Long-Term Alternative To Flying Cars Flying cars are a common inclusion in many science fiction stories. From iconic movies like “Back to the Future” to “Blade Runner,” the flying car has been a staple in mainstream media for decades. Analysts, researchers and authors all predicted we would see such vehicles by the early 2000s, or in the case of “Back to the Future,” 2015. Sadly, they were all, more or less, wrong. Many obstacles have hindered progress and halted any attempts to realize flying cars. However, the idea of what a flying car is has changed; new vehicle technology is on the rise, which may soon usher in the age of flying cars, albeit in a different form than expected. Companies like Airbus, Lilium and Boeing have invested in a new type of transportation system called Urban Air Mobility (UAM), which uses electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. UAM promises abilities similar to science fiction’s flying cars. The appeal of flying cars is mainly related to their ability to revolutionize modern transportation, especially in urban environments, and to add three-dimensional infrastructure. Imagine not having to wait in traffic for hours on end. Instead, you can use a flying car to traverse the skies in half the time it would have taken you by land. Most current personal air travel forms utilize helicopters and airplanes, which are loud, costly and only able to fly and land in designated areas. UAM seeks to offer the same benefits of convenience and speed to everyone, with less noise and more accessibility while allowing for low-altitude transportation. What Is Urban Air Mobility? UAM is an idea for a new system of transportation. Cars and highways are a movement system from one place to another in urban and suburban areas, and so is UAM. When you drive your car from your house to the local grocery store, you’re using the roads and traffic signals built for the land transportation system; the aim of UAM is to implement a similar system with aircraft or, in a sense, flying cars. UAM proponents envision “a safe and efficient aviation transportation system that will use highly automated aircraft that will operate and transport passengers or cargo at lower altitudes within urban and suburban areas.” The system would use newly built and preexisting infrastructure such as helicopter pads. Along with these new routes, Air Traffic Control (ATC) services would help guide aircraft and prevent accidents. In reality, UAM will be an eVTOL multiperson, automated or human-crewed aircraft, providing taxi services from one launchpad to another. Sounds like a flying cab, right? The sky is full of open space waiting to be used at low altitudes, free of traffic. Obstacles To Overcome Despite its potential, UAM faces several obstacles blocking the system from becoming more than an idea Technology One of UAM’s biggest hurdles is technology. One of the reasons helicopters haven’t become the sky’s version of the car is the loud noise they generate; you can hear helicopters from far away. The noise can shake buildings and disrupt the environment, creating noise pollution, which is why you don’t see helicopters flying low through cities. The problem of sound needs to be addressed to make an enduring UAM system and vehicle. One company pushing the boundaries of quiet electric technologies is Joby Aviation, which says its aircraft will be as “quiet as a conversation.” So far, Joby’s aircraft has delivered on its statement, so technology has advanced to mitigate noise. But the sound isn’t the only problem modern technology has. Like most transportation providers, electric vehicles have become a hot topic. Moving away from gas-based propulsion has huge benefits, and electric technology is seen as the alternative. However, the electric aircraft is a relatively new product. They are still undergoing tests and reviews for safety and reliability. The batteries and take-off devices need to be sustainable, cost-effective, quiet and long-lasting. Many electric aircraft are nearing completion and have already hit the market, but these problems need to be overcome within UAM-based transportation. Infrastructure Another significant barrier to UAM’s success is infrastructure. Unlike a new car, UAM aircraft will only have a limited amount of viable infrastructure already made, meaning whole new systems and routes for aircraft need to be created, along with launchpads and fuel stations. Not only that, but governments will have to tackle the legal issues regarding where the aircrafts can and cannot fly, along with the safety issues of UAM. Permissible ways for aircraft to get around will need to be defined and built, which, at the onset, could be costly. Airbus is among the companies driving UAM and eVTOL technology forward; it has already defined its vision and mission for infrastructure. Using a combination of digital and physical connections, seamless designs and legal approaches, Airbus shows a way to overcome the infrastructure barrier. Cost Cost is probably the most problematic barrier for UAM. Designing and implementing a whole new transportation system is a massive undertaking, costing a great deal to advance without concrete future gains. Creating aircraft that allows low-altitude flight within urban and suburban areas means investing in innovation and technology. UAM providers must make their products’ prices cheap enough to make their efforts fruitful — taking an expensive aircraft and making the cost affordable enough for anyone, as opposed to only the rich, is a tricky jump to make. To take helicopters as an example, everybody doesn’t have a personal helicopter because of the price tag of a helipad and the aircraft itself. UAM seeks to provide an affordable and widely usable alternative to the car, but the current projected cost is a massive problem preventing UAM’s goals from becoming a reality. Despite all the obstacles UAM faces, many companies are pushing the boundaries and trying their hardest to make UAM a viable and affordable option to the public. A few decades from now, you could be traversing cities in air taxis within UAM systems similar to science fiction’s depictions of flying cars, except pilots and artificial intelligence will be driving. It may be many more years before you see everyone with a personal aircraft, but then again, would you trust people to fly a vehicle today when driving one on land results in so many accidents? People’s ideas of flying cars, shaped by science fiction and Hollywood, aren’t precisely what reality has in mind, but UAM offers the next best thing. https://studybreaks.com/thoughts/urban-air-mobility-alternative-to-flying-cars/ SpaceX's NASA contract has sparked reaction from industry figures seeking details. Blue Origin says it is 'looking to learn more about the selection.' Many figures in the space and science communities are seeking more details about how NASA chose only SpaceX for its return to the moon even though the agency's stated plans called for two commercial partners. SpaceX had been competing against Blue Origin and Dynetics for a pair of contracts for NASA's Artemis program. But NASA on Friday announced SpaceX would get an exclusive $2.9 billion contract. Blue Origin had partnered with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper to form "The National Team." A Blue Origin representative told Insider via email on Saturday: "The National Team doesn't have very much information yet. We are looking to learn more about the selection." Elsewhere, celebrations were in order. "NASA Rules!!" Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, said. "We are honored to be part of the @NASAArtemis team." NASA last year chose the three companies to develop a new "human-landing system." The agency has plans to return to the moon as soon as 2024 and eventually set up a permanent base there. Blue Origin, which was founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, dubbed its moon lander Blue Moon. Dynetics, a defense contractor, named its design the Dynetics Human Landing System. The winning system, SpaceX's Starship, uses the company's Raptor engines, along with designs from its Falcon 9 and Dragon vehicles, NASA said. It'll be fully reusable, with a landing system designed "for travel to the Moon, Mars, and other destinations." "By taking a collaborative approach in working with industry while leveraging NASA's proven technical expertise and capabilities, we will return American astronauts to the Moon's surface once again, this time to explore new areas for longer periods of time," said Lisa Watson-Morgan, NASA's HLS program manager, in a statement. NASA had been expected to choose two of the companies. But budget concerns led to its choice of SpaceX, which restructured its proposal to meet NASA's spending expectations, according to the agency. NASA on April 2 chose SpaceX as a "conditional selection," which allowed the agency to enter post-selection negotiations with it, according to a document prepared by Kathryn Lueders, the source-selection authority. Lueders wrote that each of the three companies' "Option A" proposals were above the agency's proposed budget for the HLS program. "It was therefore my determination that NASA should, as a first step, open price negotiations with the Option A offeror that is both very highly rated from a technical and management perspective and that also had, by a wide margin, the lowest initially-proposed price — SpaceX," Lueders added. Musk's company then resubmitted its proposal on April 7, according to NASA. "Although SpaceX's revised proposal contained updated milestone payment phasing that fits within NASA's current budget, SpaceX did not propose an overall price reduction," Lueders wrote. After the announcement, SpaceX employees and space enthusiasts flooded LinkedIn and Twitter with positive messages. Many posted rocket emojis, as might be expected. But other space enthusiasts and budget hawks questioned NASA's decision to drop down to one commercial partner for such a monumental mission. Casey Dreier, the chief advocate and senior space-policy advisor at The Planetary Society, said via Twitter that he was "honestly shocked" that NASA would choose a single commercial partner. Multiple partners would boost competition, he said. "Of course, SpaceX always acts as if it's a constant competition with itself," Dreier said. "And it's 100% delivered on its capability and price promise so far." Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama released a statement saying NASA's decision "raised a lot of questions." SpaceX had previously entered into agreements with NASA and the US Air Force, with "very high" price tags, he said. He added: "The years of delay in the development of the Falcon Heavy, as well as recent tests of the Starship program as reported in the news, also raise technical and scheduling questions." Several of SpaceX's Starship prototypes have exploded during test flights. Dynetics didn't return a request for comment on Saturday. https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-nasa-contract-industry-reaction-blue-origin-space-moon-2021-4 Curt Lewis