Image: FAA
The FAA has announced an implementation plan to integrate air taxis and advanced air mobility (AAM) into the National Airspace (NAS) by 2028.
of execution plan The plan is directed towards the ‘Innovate28’ AAM project in conjunction with the agency’s goal of allowing AAM operations in limited locations by 2028. The plan “includes various components and their order for large-scale operations at one or more locations by 2028,” the FAA statement said.
“This plan shows how all the pieces work together to scale the industry while ensuring safety as the North Star,” said FAA Deputy Administrator Katie Thomson.
This plan serves as the foundation for making service launches routine and predictable by maximizing the use of existing procedures and infrastructure. It covers how government agencies and partners certify aircraft and pilots, manage access to airspace, ensure pilot training, develop infrastructure, maintain security, and engage communities.
The plan also includes a planning guide applicable to any site, outlining key integration goals and steps.
The Innovate28 (I28) project continues the FAA and Department of Transportation (DOT) focus on AAM. The U.S. Department of Transportation Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group FAA to open airspace in 2022 blueprint Introduced and proposed for air taxis in May 2023 Comprehensive rules Shortly after announcing the release of the AAM blueprint at the Spring 2023 AUVSI Xponential show, former Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nollen announced he was retiring from the FAA. Nolen now works for AAM. The manufacturer is Archer Aviation.
What is Innovate28?
The report emphasizes that AAM operations will take a “crawl, walk, run” approach, starting at the commencement of service (EIS) and leading to large-scale AAM operations. Innovate 28 is a step between EIS and large-scale operations.
Innovate28 is a project that brings together public and private stakeholders to go beyond EIS and provide regular AAM operations at select key locations. The project will provide important data for future rulemaking and provide documented and repeatable processes such as certification, operations and infrastructure.
What will I28’s strategy look like?
Initially, the plan for the I28 is for pilots to fly manned AAMs from existing helipads and airports according to a predetermined flight schedule, modified as needed (such as charging electric vehicles). AAM will be supported by Air Traffic Control. According to the FAA, the AAM will fly up to 4,000 in urban areas “using existing or modified low altitude visual flight rule (VFR) routes wherever possible within controlled Class B and C airspace around major airports.” It is said that there is a possibility of performing a flight of feet. (more details can be found in the report. )
The report also says that stakeholders will need to consider many issues related to AAM operations, requiring communication and cooperation among government agencies. Ongoing issues include the potential need for power grid upgrades. Border and Homeland Security. Noise considerations. and the environmental impact of AAM.
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Miriam McNabb, editor-in-chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of professional drone services marketplace JobForDrones, is a keen observer of the emerging drone industry and drone regulatory environment. Miriam is an international speaker and industry recognized figure, with over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and he has over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing new technologies.
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