Traffic Framework for eVTOLS

DEVELOPING A SOUND ECOSYSTEM & AIR TRAFFIC FRAMEWORK FOR EVTOLS TO FLY

With Embraer’s eVTOLs poised to be certified for operations by as early as 2025, we look at what Eve, Embraer’s urban air mobility spin-off company, has been doing to prepare for the advent of a low-noise, zero-emissions way of transport that can alleviate the pain points faced by commuters. Geelong to the city in 15 to 20 minutes? Here we go!

The last 12 months has been a particularly exciting time for Eve Urban Air Mobility. We have collaborated with Airservices Australia and the UK Civil Aviation Authority as part of its Future Air Mobility Regulatory Sandbox to develop a concept of operations for electric vertical take- off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs)1 to operate. We have reached sales of around 735 eVTOLs to Halo, Bristow and Helisul, covering the US, UK and Brazil. Adding to these eVTOL sales are up to 235,000 hours of flight capacity we have as a result of preliminary LOIs with Ascent in Asia Pacific, Blade (US), Flapper (LATAM) and Helipass (France/EU).

Beyond that, we have established partnerships with established air operators across the globe, including Australia, to lay the groundwork for the introduction of eVTOLs. We foresee our eVTOLs entering the market, operating within a well-managed air traffic system by 2026.

There may be several players in this market but we have a unique offer because our insights, products and systems are based on Embraer’s experience in designing, building, certifying and supporting aircraft over 52 years. In the last 20 years, Embraer has a track record of successfully certifying an average of more than one aircraft every year. The people that have designed, built and certified aircraft are the ones behind the design of Eve’s eVTOLs. This is a competitive advantage that very few eVTOL manufacturers have.

By tapping into Embraer’s portfolio of urban air traffic management (UATM) technologies developed by its subsidiary, Atech, the Eve team is taking a holistic approach in progressing the urban air mobility ecosystem. This includes collaborating with market leaders to create an advanced eVTOL,

comprehensive global services and support network, and unique UATM solutions for every city. How did we get here?

Traffic congestion is a challenge in many cities across the world. Sao Paulo, Brazil, the home country of Embraer, has the most helicopters in the world. Those who can afford the cost of helicopter rides have been using that as a mode of transport to overcome the massively congested roads. Our air traffic management system is used by Brazilian authorities and it has efficiently enabled the smooth operations of 1300 air taxi flights a day in Sao Paulo. We are channeling all this knowledge into developing a safe, piloted, low-noise, zero-emissions air travel journey that is affordable for time-pressed commuters to overcome ubiquitous traffic congestions and geographical constraints on land. We want to make eVTOLs accessible for the middleclass.

With the aim of optimising operations for urban environments, the eVTOLs are designed to be operable in different urban landscapes ensuring reliability as well as cost- and noise- minimization.

Urban air mobility solutions are more than just about eVTOLs, we are also concerned about the ecosystem around it – developing accessibility to ‘vertiports’ where the eVTOLs are based, making the eVTOL experience user-friendly for the mobility-impaired, the management of the air traffic systems, the service and support network of the eVTOLs and battery charging stations, just to name a few aspects.

One of the most important elements required for the Urban Air Mobility industry to scale up is regulatory support and community acceptance. Through several of our recent projects, Eve has been working diligently to create this exciting future with multiple members of the UAM ecosystem. This is one important step towards building trust and knowledge for the value urban air mobility can bring to communities, but there is still a tremendous amount of education, collaboration, and partnership that will be required. As an ecosystem integrator, Eve is committed to being a trusted community partner in the development or Urban Air Mobility.

Each country has its unique regulatory environment and factors which we must consider, but beyond that, we have been growing our partnerships with regional players. Eve has a partnership with Singaporebased Ascent Flights Global. Beginning in 2026, Eve will provide Ascent with up to 100,000 hours of flight time per year on its eVTOL aircraft for use in key cities such as Melbourne, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, and Tokyo. Collaborations and partnerships will foster the development of UAM in Australia

Australia has a fond place in the heart of Embraer, our founding company.

Embraer’s first aircraft type, the Bandeirante, first started operations in 1978 in Australia. Since then, Embraer’s aircraft, the ‘Bandits’, Brasilias and the E-Jets have played a key role in the development of regional aviation in the country.

We see Australia as one of the most advanced countries in terms of air traffic management, a mature market that would be receptive to the introduction of low noise, zero emissions eVTOLs.

At the end of 2020, we did a joint study with Airservices Australia to develop a new concept of operations (CONOPS) for the air taxi market that will allow eVTOLs to function efficiently among other aircraft in the airspace. The CONOPS explored new and practical concepts to safely facilitate the introduction of the air taxi industry.

Using Melbourne as a model, the CONOPS examines how existing air traffic management solutions can initially enable UAM operations while simultaneously preparing for scale of operations through new traffic management technologies. Melbourne was chosen because the city’s natural geographical constraints and distance is well-suited to low-noise zero-emission eVTOLs. It could also serve as a UAM ecosystem framework that can be adapted for countries across Asia Pacific. In September, we announced a partnership with Microflite, one of Australia’s premier helicopter operators, that will lay the foundation for urban air mobility operations in Australia that is expected to start in 2026. Our partnership will start with the use of helicopters, where appropriate, as a proof of concept to validate parameters that will apply to future eVTOL operations. This partnership also aims to develop new services and procedures that will create a safe and scalable operating environment for eVTOL operations together with communities and other industry stakeholders.

Microflite has worked with Eve since 2019 by contributing to the CONOPs that was jointly developed by Eve and Airservices Australia.

With an eVTOL range of up to 100km, you could travel from Geelong to the city, Sorrento or Daylesford to Melbourne Airport in around 15 to 20 minutes. UAM: Making it a reality

The interest in urban air mobility and low-noise, low-emissions eVTOLs is growing exponentially across the world. Governments and entities are looking at how this could be an alternative mode of transport for people, while establishing an air traffic system and orderly framework for this to grow.

We see the ramp up of eVTOL operations as an opportunity to drive domestic tourism, job creation and it will help communities and cities that want to grow and expand. The urban air mobility industry will be a reality in as early as five years’ time, and we are excited to be part of this new wave, building trust, cooperation, community and regulatory acceptance as we develop a sustainable framework for urban air mobility.

This piece was written by Ryan Both, APAC Lead for Eve Urban Air Mobility. Ryan Both has been in the Australian aviation industry for many years, working for Virgin Australia, Melbourne Airport and leading passenger, freight and missionized operations for customers including Qantas, Australian Border Force and Chevron.

Pic 1: Boarding Eve’s eVTOL

Pic 2: Eve Microflite

Pic 3: Simulator Flight eVTOL

Western Australia's role as a global leader in air defence technology

Western Australia (WA) continues to strengthen the state’s position as a leader in air defence technology.

Chosen by some of the world’s largest defence companies in the research, development and testing of the latest systems and equipment, WA is at the forefront of the sector.

The state’s prime position on the Indian Ocean provides the perfect regional platform to maintain long term ties across key Asian export markets.

These mature relationships have yielded myriad benefits for WA and Australia in defence and across many other sectors including business, education and resources.

The mining, oil and gas industries have created a fertile environment for the development of new technologies.

Unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies, systems integration and a rapid, solutionsfocussed culture – honed in remote and challenging environments – can be readily adapted and applied in defence.

The range of technologies developed in WA is vast and the state has emerged as a global leader in the development of air systems.

WA’s 2020 Defence Strategy Series identified priorities where the state’s industry already has natural strengths and competitive advantages.

These included precision-guided munitions, hypersonic weapons, integrated air and missile defence systems and space capabilities as among the specialist businesses based and operating in the state.

Based in Western Australia, Orbital UAV is a world-leader in the design and manufacture of engine systems for military drones.

With a second base in Oregon, US, the company has developed industryleading, advanced, heavy-fuel injection technology.

Built on more than 30 years’ experience in engine design, Orbital UAV provides propulsion systems to some of the world’s largest suppliers of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) including Boeing-Insitu and Textron Systems.

Innovaero is another WA company that has established a global reputation for the development and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems, specialising in imaging and surveys.

These capabilities could be applied to the Australian Defence Force, police and emergency services.

The challenging environment in which this new technology is developed, tested and proven presents a significant competitive advantage for WA.

As well as the technological challenges, autonomous and communications capabilities are critical elements of any technology developed in these sectors – all essential requirements of any equipment operating in defence operations.

Paul Papalia is Defence Industry and Veterans Issues Minister for the Government of Western Australia.

“Western Australia is a global hub for the development of technologies that lead the world in mining, oil, gas and defence systems.”

“The state comprises a third of the continent’s land mass and companies have become experts at developing technologies and logistics to mobilise people and equipment across vast distances with no external support,” said Minister Papalia.

Australia’s defence spending over the next decade will be an estimated $270 billion.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the importance of international relations.

WA has established strong relationships with key Asian export markets, with a quarter of Australian trade with ASEAN’s ten nations originating in the state.

WA’s universities collaborate on defence matters under the banner of Team WA. They are supported by the Defence Science Centre, whose responsibility is to tap into defencerelated research at the highest levels.

The Binar-1 CubeSat program at Curtin University demonstrates the state’s ability to leverage commodity manufacturing to create innovative, cost-effective sovereign capabilities for Australian universities, industry and defence.

Minister Papalia added: “Our unique position, in both our capabilities and location, is recognised by the companies, governments and international trade partners who choose WA as a business destination and partner.”