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Today, some commentators have even argued that autonomous flight is likely to become a reality much earlier than autonomous driving. However, a distinct issue is the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI) may be used in autonomous flight.
Continue Reading Legal challenges in autonomous flight: Things to consider before investing in an aircraft that flies itself

The European Union, through its aviation safety authority (EASA) has taken steps to address the future VTOL traffic management challenge with the development of an unmanned traffic management system, called the “U-Space.”…
Continue Reading EASA’s U-Space: The future of air traffic management for drones and VTOL

Julia has recently joined our Transportation team here at Reed Smith, having previously been an attorney and policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Transportation and developing strategy and policy with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (‘US Regulator’) – including in relation to emerging transportation and advanced air mobility (‘AAM’).

The regulatory framework being built to facilitate AAM around the world can seem intimidating, and is changing with a speed and agility that those working in more established modes of transport may not expect. Julia shares some helpful thoughts on this, and we will be sharing more detailed insights soon – so watch this space!…

Continue Reading We have questions: Julia Norsetter, Policy and Analysis Lead at Reed Smith

Chris leads the Emerging Technology Unit at Global Aerospace, which provides insurance for aviation and aerospace assets with a particular focus on innovation and keeping pace with new technology.

Insurance is a key piece of the puzzle in asset finance, and will be especially important for an entirely new class of assets and supporting infrastructure with their own unique features and risks for owners, operators, passengers, lessors and financiers to understand and accept. Chris very kindly spent some time discussing these risks with us, and provided his thoughts on a few key questions.…

Continue Reading We have questions: Chris Proudlove, SVP and Underwriting Executive at Global Aerospace

mba Aviation provides a range of specialist aviation support services, from portfolio management software solutions to technical support to investor due diligence to airport revenue enhancement and beyond.

The team is now looking to the future of aviation, and the opportunities and challenges that advanced air mobility (‘AAM’) will generate. mba recently organised the Alternative Lift Exchange: Financing Future Technologies event alongside the Airline Economics conference in New York, providing a specialised forum for those working in and preparing for AAM to gather and share their experience.

We had questions about how and why mba is contributing to the momentum of AAM, and David kindly agreed to answer them.…

Continue Reading We have questions: David Tokoph, President and CEO of mba Aviation

As Executive Editor of eVTOL Insights, Jason has a unique perspective on the state of the advanced air mobility space, and helps to connect industry players by gathering and sharing news and views from across this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape.  

For the eVTOL Insights podcast, Jason interviews people working in a range of aspects of advanced air mobility, including everyone from founders and CEOs to engineers and software developers, marketers and certification experts, lawyers and battery designers, and beyond. Given his broad knowledge of this detailed and complex industry network, I thought we might turn the tables and interview Jason – and he kindly agreed.…

Continue Reading We have questions: Jason Pritchard, Executive Editor of eVTOLInsights.com

With a background in law, politics, and transport services, Clem Newton-Brown is well placed to facilitate the development of vertiports in Australia and to help connect the various moving pieces of the local advanced air mobility (‘AAM’) puzzle. Through Skyportz, his team is working to assemble the expertise and investment needed to make this happen, to ensure that the landing infrastructure is available when the eVTOL aircraft are certified to fly.…

Continue Reading We have questions: Clem Newton-Brown, founder and CEO of Skyportz Australia

Hail a black cab on a busy London street, and you can assume that the driver will follow the ‘rules of the road’ to your destination. However, what can a commuter expect when taxis begin to take flight?

With Airbus, Boeing and even Uber, amongst others, developing and investing in electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the concept of flying taxis is quickly becoming a reality rather than a concept relegated to Sci-Fi. Test flights are currently being conducted on eVTOL aircraft, and while estimations for their commercial roll-out vary, it is likely we will see flying taxis in the next few years. One market research company has estimated that 430,000 air taxis will be in operation by 2040. As such, ‘rules of the air’ are in order for the safe operation of air taxis.…

Continue Reading ‘Rules of the Air’: EASA Publishes World’s First Air Taxi Rules

“Fly along with me,” sings Dave Grohl, “I can’t quite make it alone.” We can imagine eVTOL developers singing along to this as they work towards autonomous flight, as so many of the vehicle models will have to commence operations – however briefly – with a pilot onboard.

But the ultimate viability of the eVTOL proposition relies in no small part on achieving certification for (and confidence in) autonomous flight as quickly as possible. It will take time for aviation authorities, local councils and the travelling public to get comfortable with this, but the economic reality is that the industry will only be able to operate at a sustainable scale if each vehicle’s full capacity is available for paying passengers or revenue-generating cargo. We need to find a way to facilitate safe pilot-free flight while also managing the technological and operational challenges autonomous flight presents – as Dave sings, hook me up a new revolution.…

Continue Reading Learn to fly: eVTOLs and autonomous flight