Advanced Air Mobility

Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) Role in Air Traffic Management for AAM/UAM

Bright Ibeawuchi Advanced Air Mobility AAM 05 July 2024

Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO) is an advanced air traffic management concept designed to improve air transportation efficiency, predictability, and safety. In the context of advanced air mobility (AAM) and vertiport operations, TBO is being integrated to optimize aircraft movement, particularly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, in urban and suburban environments.TBO focuses on the precise planning and execution of an aircraft's four-dimensional trajectory (4DT), which includes Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, and Time.

In a groundbreaking development that could reshape urban transportation, Joby Aviation has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for its proprietary software suite, ElevateOS. This comprehensive system, designed to facilitate high-tempo, on-demand air taxi operations, marks a crucial milestone in the journey towards realizing the dream of urban air mobility. The Genesis of ElevateOS ElevateOS traces its origins to Joby's strategic acquisition of Uber Elevate, Uber's air taxi division, in 2021. Building upon Uber Elevate's pioneering UberCopter service—the world's first on-demand, multi-modal air taxi service in New York City—Joby's team, led by Eric Allison, spent two years refining and expanding the software suite. This development period wasn't just about coding in isolation. Joby leveraged its Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate to conduct extensive real-world testing, offering on-demand passenger services to team members, processing payments for chartered flights, and integrating various operational components. This hands-on approach ensured ElevateOS was built on practical experience and real-world challenges. Key Features: The Backbone of Urban Air Mobility ElevateOS is not just another piece of aviation software; it's a comprehensive ecosystem designed to support every aspect of air taxi operations: Pilot App: Equips pilots with essential tools for pre-flight and post-flight checks, ensures proper rest periods, and provides crucial aircraft information. Operations and Schedule Management: Handles critical aspects like landing pad access and maintenance scheduling. Consumer-Friendly Rider App: Allows passengers to book on-demand flights with ease. Intelligent Matching Engine: Efficiently pairs passengers with available aircraft and landing infrastructure. Payment Processing: Seamlessly handles payments for chartered flights. Integration Capabilities: Designed to work with existing platforms, including Uber's app. Real-Time Data Analysis: Incorporates tools for analyzing operational data, enabling continuous improvement. Scalability: Built not only to support Joby's operations but also to be offered to select partners. FAA Compliance: Meticulously designed to meet and exceed stringent FAA requirements. Implications of FAA Authorization: A New Era Begins The FAA's approval of ElevateOS is more than just a regulatory checkbox; it's a validation of Joby's vision and a catalyst for the entire urban air mobility industry: Regulatory Validation: Demonstrates that ElevateOS meets the highest safety and reliability standards. Competitive Advantage: Positions Joby at the forefront of the eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) industry. Operational Readiness: This brings Joby closer to launching commercial air taxi services by 2025. Integration with Existing Systems: ElevateOS can safely coexist and communicate with current air traffic control systems. Scalability Potential: Opens the door for Joby to offer ElevateOS to partners and other operators, potentially accelerating industry-wide adoption. Safety Assurance: Underscores the system's ability to maintain high safety standards in a complex urban environment. Joby vs. The Competition: A Clear Lead While the eVTOL market is becoming increasingly competitive, Joby's ElevateOS sets it apart: Archer Aviation: Focuses on a narrower initial market and appears less advanced in comprehensive software development. Wisk Aero: Developing autonomous eVTOL aircraft but lacks an integrated operational software suite. Lilium: Concentrates on longer-range regional air mobility without a comparable integrated system. Volocopter: Working on both piloted and autonomous eVTOLs but hasn't announced a comprehensive software solution. SkyDrive: More focused on aircraft development than operational software. Vertical Aerospace: Developing eVTOL aircraft but hasn't unveiled a comparable operational ecosystem. The Road Ahead: Revolutionizing Urban Transport Joby's ambitions for ElevateOS extend beyond its own operations. The company plans to offer the software to select partners as part of a broader service package, potentially accelerating the adoption of air taxi services across the industry. Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby, emphasizes the transformative nature of their approach: "We expect travelers to book on-demand and to board an aircraft just minutes later, much like the experience of using ground-based ridesharing today. That required us to totally rethink the software and the operations of these aircraft." Conclusion: A New Chapter in Aviation History The FAA's authorization of ElevateOS represents more than just a milestone for Joby Aviation; it's a watershed moment for urban air mobility. As cities grapple with congestion and the need for sustainable transportation, ElevateOS and the air taxi services it will enable offer a glimpse into a future where the sky is no longer the limit, but the next frontier in urban mobility. With this approval, Joby Aviation isn't just bringing a new product to market—it's ushering in a new era of transportation that could fundamentally reshape our cities and how we move within them. As ElevateOS takes flight, it carries with it the potential to turn science fiction into an everyday reality for urban dwellers worldwide.

Joby Aviation's ElevateOS Receives FAA Approval: A Game-Changer for Urban Air Mobility

Xara Ban Advanced Air Mobility AAM 01 July 2024

In a major development that could reshape urban transportation, Joby Aviation has secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for its proprietary software suite, ElevateOS. This comprehensive system, designed to facilitate high-tempo, on-demand air taxi operations, marks a crucial milestone in realizing the dream of urban air mobility.

Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet: Pioneering the Future of Hydrogen Aviation

Zed Rockford Advanced Air Mobility AAM 26 June 2024

In collaboration with BMW Group Designworks, Sirius Aviation AG has unveiled two new hydrogen-powered luxury business jets: the Sirius CEO-JET and the Sirius Adventure Jet. The global debut of these aircraft took place on June 20, 2024, at the MOVE Expo in London, a premier tech mobility event. Alexey Popov, Founder and CEO of Sirius Aviation AG, led the presentation alongside BMW Group Designworks, showcasing the jets' cutting-edge features and upscale design.

In Aircraft Directory:
- Sirius Aviation CEO Jet

Beijing Announces Ambitious Advanced Air Mobility eVTOL Plans

Bright Ibeawuchi Advanced Air Mobility AAM 19 June 2024

Beijing has recently announced a comprehensive three-year plan to develop a network of low-altitude air routes for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles by 2027. The Beijing Action Plan (2024-2027) is designed to advance the development of the low-altitude economy industry, aiming to improve urban air mobility, shorten commuting durations, lessen traffic congestion, and strengthen the city's low-altitude economic sector.

Wisk Aero and Houston Airports Partner to Bring Autonomous Air Taxis to Greater Houston

Zed Rockford Advanced Air Mobility AAM 17 June 2024

Wisk Aero, a leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and Houston Airports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to introduce autonomous air taxis to Greater Houston. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize urban mobility by identifying potential vertiport sites, developing necessary infrastructure and routes, and engaging with the community to bring this innovative and sustainable form of transportation to the region.