Fresh safety recommendations outlined for future Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicle regulations

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and WMG, University of Warwick, have completed an 18-month study on the safety of integrating eVTOL aircraft into UK airspace. The research, funded by the Department for Transport, is part of the CAA’s Future of Flight program and the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

The study, which included contributions from various stakeholders such as Bristow and NATS, provides valuable insights into the complex challenges and potential risks associated with eVTOL operations. Professor Siddartha Khastgir, Head of Safe Autonomy at WMG, University of Warwick, emphasized the importance of a systems thinking approach to safety for emerging technologies like eVTOLs.

The key findings from the study identify over 50 high-priority areas for regulatory development. These areas focus on airspace integration, vertiport operations, automation, aircraft performance monitoring, and a systems approach.

Airspace Integration

Managing eVTOLs within the existing complex UK airspace is a significant challenge. The research highlights the need for strategies to manage the complex interactions within existing air traffic systems.

Vertiport Operations

Developing operational standards and safety protocols for the new infrastructure needed for eVTOL takeoff and landing is crucial. This includes ground services at vertiports using advanced real-time sensors to ensure continuous feedback on landing conditions.

Automation

The study recommends implementing protocols for automation oversight and simulation to ensure operational safety. There are currently no mandated protocols for using automation and simulation tools to detect performance deviations or predict flight path conflicts.

Aircraft Performance Monitoring

The research suggests that systems should be developed within Air Navigation Service Providers to detect deviations in aircraft performance and develop operational protocols specifically for emerging eVTOL technologies.

Systems Approach

The study used a systems thinking approach, analyzing how aircraft, software, hardware, and human factors interact as a whole system rather than in isolation, to proactively identify safety risks in integrating eVTOLs into an already complex airspace.

Additional key recommendations include implementing systems within Air Navigation Service Providers to detect deviations in aircraft performance and developing operational protocols specifically for emerging eVTOL technologies.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the UK’s eVTOL Safety Leadership Group (eVSLG). Rick Newson, Co-Chair of the eVTOL Safety Leadership Group at the CAA, stated that proactive planning and coordination is essential to ensure the safe, responsible, and seamless integration of eVTOL aircraft in UK airspace.

Simon Meakins, Co-Chair of the eVTOL Safety Leadership Group and Director of Advanced Air Mobility at Bristow Group, praised the study for proactively identifying potential risks and enabling effective mitigation.

The findings of the study are being considered by the UK’s regulatory organization as part of its ongoing regulatory development work. The research contributes to the development of regulatory frameworks to support the safe integration of novel aviation technologies, such as eVTOL aircraft.

In summary, the research highlights these high-priority regulatory advancement areas:

| Key Areas | Description | |-----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | Airspace integration | Managing eVTOLs within existing complex UK airspace | | Vertiport operations | Developing operational standards and safety protocols | | Automation | Oversight of automation systems and use of simulation | | Aircraft performance monitoring | Systems to detect deviations and ensure safe aircraft behavior | | Systems approach | Holistic assessment of interactions between aircraft, humans, and technology |

These insights serve as a foundation for evolving UK regulations to safely integrate eVTOL operations into national airspace. The research was conducted at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a location with high volume of helicopter and potential eVTOL operations. The findings will also feed into the Airspace Modernisation Strategy to accommodate new airspace users as new technology takes flight.

Fresh safety recommendations outlined for future Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicle regulations