Joby Aviation and NASA Collaboration. Image Credit: Joby Aviation
Thanks to a groundbreaking air traffic simulation developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center and Joby Aviation, the concept of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles is closer to being a reality.
The Promise of eVTOL Vehicles
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis are shaping up as a novel and sustainable means of commercial transport. These zero-emission aircraft use electric power to take off, cruise, and land, making them a compelling option for industries interested in embracing greener transportation methods.
A New Era in Sustainable Transportation
At the heart of this innovative transportation method is NASA’s Ames Research Center, situated in California’s Silicon Valley, and Joby Aviation, a trailblazer in the air taxi industry. These two organizations have been working tirelessly to develop efficient and safe air traffic control procedures that can accommodate the unique needs of eVTOL operations.
Bringing Stakeholders on Board
Their recent air traffic simulation garnered the attention and interest of key stakeholders in the aviation industry. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, and various industries were invited to view the simulation at the Ames’ air traffic control simulation facility, known as FutureFlight Central.
FutureFlight Central is a two-story facility offering a 360-degree, full-scale simulation of an airport. This state-of-the-art facility enables controllers, pilots, and airport personnel to test operating procedures and evaluate new technologies in a safe and controlled environment.
“We’re trying to enable a better quality of life,” said Savvy Verma, who is an urban air mobility researcher at NASA Ames. “Some people are stuck in traffic for hours on the way to the airport. A 12-mile trip can take 45 minutes. Imagine being able to do that same trip in 15 minutes.”
Paving the Way for Air Taxis
In anticipation of air taxis and other aircraft transporting passengers in and out of airports, NASA and industry partners are working with the FAA to demonstrate how the innovative use of existing tools and airspace procedures can support the safe integration of air taxi operations into the national airspace.
NASA and Joby are also investigating potential changes to the current airspace system to enable a larger scale of flights. The recent air traffic management integration simulation developed by NASA with Joby will provide valuable air traffic controller data to the FAA and industry for integrating these aircraft into operations.
“There is so much momentum across the world for advanced air mobility,” Verma said. “We’ve been talking about integrating these kinds of vehicles into the airspace, but to be able to show it in high-fidelity simulation is very promising.”
A Peek into the Simulation
Inside the facility, visitors witnessed eVTOL pilots flying safely along NASA-developed, predetermined routes at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport. The eVTOL pilots operated seamlessly through the airports, with the facility simulating weather conditions, live flight data, and airport operational data.
Reducing Workload on Air Traffic Controllers
The simulation demonstrated how NASA-developed air traffic control procedures and airspace concepts would significantly reduce the workload on air traffic controllers for eVTOL operations in airports.
“This simulation validates the idea that we can find a way to safely integrate these vehicles into the airspace at scale.”
– Ken Freeman, NASA researcher
Analyzing the Simulation
The human-in-the-loop simulation, which featured active and retired air traffic controllers, evaluated a series of traffic schedules developed by Joby based on the company’s market analysis and expectations of future demand. NASA plans to publish a complete analysis of the simulation results in 2024.
The Future of eVTOLs in Airports
The data from this simulation will be provided to the FAA, commercial industry, and airports to help identify the air traffic controller tools and procedures that could enable high-tempo integration of eVTOLs into near-term and future operations in airports. Enabling eVTOLs as a taxi service for passengers to and from airports in the future could begin to reduce carbon emissions and greatly improve the commute experience for passengers.
NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility Mission
This project work supports NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission, which focuses on air taxi and drone research with industry and government partners. The future of transportation is looking brighter and more sustainable, thanks to the tireless efforts of organizations like NASA and Joby Aviation.