Registration Open

Morning Breakfasts In Networking Exhibition Area

Continental Breakfast, Fresh Scrambled Eggs, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Country Style Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes

Chairman’s Opening Address

Building The Foundation By Designing Vertiport Facilities For eVTOL Success

• Explore the critical operational requirements for vertiport facilities, including landing area design, approach paths, load bearing capacity, and safety standards for electric propulsion and battery storage

• Understand that vertiport facilities are not one-size-fits-all and may vary in configuration based on expected throughput and the specific characteristics of the eVTOL aircraft they serve

• Learn how the dimensional requirements of vertiport landing areas are influenced by an aircraft’s Critical Dimensions (CD) and maximum gross take-off weights, impacting design regulations

• Discover the essential standards for facilities to enable the boarding and discharging of passengers and cargo by VTOL aircraft, even at early stages of development

• Delve into the importance of addressing noise requirements and ensuring safety standards for batteries and other hazardous materials within vertiport facilities to support sustainable AAM operations

Navigating The Complexities Of Site Selection For Vertiports For eVTOL Operations

• Understand the complexities of finding suitable sites in densely populated urban areas that is difficult due to existing infrastructure and limited open areas

• Discover why navigating complex zoning regulations and obtaining permits can be time-consuming, with potential opposition from local communities

• Learn why finding adequate space with access to utilities is challenging for vertiports because of the requirements for extensive infrastructure, including landing pads, charging stations, and passenger facilities,

• Discuss the noise, environmental impact, and safety that are significant considerations, requiring vertiports to be located away from densely populated areas and obstacles

• Acknowledge that vertiports need to integrate with existing transportation networks and this may involve navigating complex real estate markets, balancing cost considerations with proximity to urban centres

How Ready Is The Infrastructure To House The Commercialisation Of The eVTOL Industry?

• Recognising that AAM infrastructure encompasses various components such as landing infrastructure, zoning, airspace management, power sources, and digital infrastructure, that are all vital for commercial service initiation

• Reveal that despite imminent vehicle certification, infrastructure development lags OEMs’ pace, posing a significant challenge to the industry’s growth and success

• Understanding that while initial operations will utilize existing infrastructure like airports and heliports, the future of AAM relies on leveraging unique performance capabilities to land on urban rooftops and other suitable spaces

• Assessing critical factors like permitting, weather considerations, cybersecurity, and multimodal operations and why it plays a pivotal role in shaping AAM infrastructure’s readiness and resilience

• Addressing infrastructure gaps requires collaborative efforts among industry stakeholders, policymakers, and urban planners to streamline regulations, investments, and implementation strategies

United States eVTOL Infrastructure – Navigating The Role Of State And Local Government In Vertiport Development

• Understand the economic benefits and how state and local governments wil play a pivotal role in planning and facilitating the development of vertiport infrastructure to unlock the projected economic advantages of AAM

• Acknowledge the need to allow room for growth and how vertiport siting must account for future demand and expansion, aligning with both government and industry forecasts to accommodate the evolving needs of the AAM market

• Recognise the value of integrating with surface transportation and why vertiports should be strategically linked to surface transportation networks, particularly crucial for efficient cargo operations, enhancing connectivity and accessibility

• Explore zoning and regulatory frameworks to establish zoning protections around vertiports that is vital for airspace management, although localized approaches may create uncertainty for developers. Collaboration with regulators is essential to navigate zoning and regulatory requirements for successful infrastructure development

• Discuss how industry stakeholders must engage with federal, state, and local regulators to address zoning, permitting, and regulatory hurdles, fostering collaboration to secure investments and initiate construction of vertiport facilities

Building Vertiport Infrastructure For eVTOL Operations From The Ground UP

• Explore the critical role of vertiports in facilitating ground operations for eVTOLs, serving as essential hubs for take-off, landing, and passenger boarding

• Discuss the unique infrastructure requirements of vertiports, including landing pads, charging stations, passenger terminals, and maintenance facilities

• Highlight the importance of location selection and design considerations for vertiports to optimize accessibility, minimize environmental impact, and ensure efficient operations

• Address challenges and opportunities in the construction and integration of vertiport infrastructure within urban environments, including zoning regulations, airspace management, and community engagement

• Showcase innovative design concepts and successful case studies of vertiport projects worldwide, demonstrating best practices and lessons learned for future development initiatives

Morning Networking Break

Exhibition Hall > Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks

Innovative Strategies For Seamless Integration Of eVTOLs In Urban Mobility Networks

• Explore the seamless integration of eVTOLs into urban transportation networks alongside existing modes of mobility

• Highlight the potential benefits of eVTOLs, including reduced congestion, shorter travel times, and enhanced connectivity within cities

• Address key considerations such as infrastructure requirements, airspace management, and regulatory frameworks necessary for successful eVTOL integration

• Emphasize the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including policymakers, city planners, and technology providers, to ensure effective integration and maximize the societal benefits of eVTOLs

• Showcase case studies and best practices from cities around the world that have successfully integrated eVTOLs into their transportation systems, offering valuable insights for future urban planning initiatives

Noise And Vibration Considerations In eVTOL Aircraft And Methods Of Control For The Comfort Of The Pilot And Passengers On Board.

• The FAA and EASA have formed working groups on Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) to formulate strict noise regulations and ensure compliance by different eVTOL manufacturers on acceptable community noise levels (exterior noise) and pilot and passenger comfort levels during air travel (interior noise)

• Research facilities under the aegis of the NASA have been assisting FAA in developing eVTOL aircraft concept designs, developing generic codes for predicting the performance and noise signatures of these aircraft, and analysing and characterising the noise generated by these vehicles

• The common sources of noise and vibrations are the engine, transmission, and propulsion system, therefore designing a new system requires careful considerations and mitigation plans to eliminate undesirable noise and vibration, especially for mass produced products

• Typical solutions involve isolating the source of excitation, applying dampeners, and detuning structural resonances, however, these fixes typically require adding more mass and weight to the aircraft or redesigning its structure (trading off the performance)

Advanced Air Mobility: Opportunities, Challenges, And Research Needs For The State Of California

• Engage the public and community stakeholders on an array of AAM issues

• Conduct scenario planning and support institutional readiness to help prepare local and regional governments for AAM and related aviation innovations that could impact communities

• Understand the equity impacts of vertiport placement and AAM routing on neighbourhoods and vulnerable populations

• Develop vertiport and AAM land use compatibility resources

• Identify energy, take-off/landing, and emergency response infrastructure needed to support AAM

• Understand environmental, social, and behaviour impacts of AAM

• Measure the lifecycle GHG impacts of AAM activities

• Identify the economic opportunities and impacts of AAM

Paving The Way To Integrate eVTOL Traffic Into Busy Airports

• Gain insight into the collaboration between NASA’s Ames Research Centre and Joby Aviation to develop a groundbreaking air traffic simulation aimed at integrating air taxis and eVTOL vehicles into the US’s busiest airports

• Explain how representatives from the FAA, air traffic controllers’ associations, and stakeholders witnessed the simulation, highlighting the collaborative effort to ensure safe integration of new aircraft into national airspace

• Understand how the simulation, featuring active and retired air traffic controllers, evaluated traffic schedules developed by Joby based on market analysis and anticipated future demand, providing valuable insights into operational feasibility

• Initial analysis suggests scalability of procedures for eVTOL operations in airports nationwide, potentially reducing workload on air traffic controllers and enhancing efficiency

• Findings from the simulation will be shared with the FAA, commercial industry, and airports to inform the development of air traffic control tools and procedures, paving the way for high-tempo integration of eVTOLs into airport operations and advancing NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission for a sustainable and efficient air transportation system

Reach For The Skies By Integrating eVTOLs Into Urban And Regional Airspace

• Delve into the complexities of integrating eVTOLs into both urban and regional airspace, addressing challenges and opportunities

• Examine the regulatory landscape and airspace management strategies required to ensure safe and efficient integration of eVTOLs alongside existing air traffic

• Discuss the role of advanced air traffic management systems, including UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) and U-Space, in coordinating eVTOL operations and minimizing congestion

• Explore infrastructure needs such as vertiports, charging stations, and communication systems to support eVTOL operations within urban and regional environments

• Highlight potential benefits of eVTOL integration, including reduced congestion, improved accessibility, and enhanced transportation options for both urban and rural communities

Networking Lunch Break

Soup, Salad, Mains, Sides, Dessert

Tea, Coffee, Juices, Soft Drinks

Challenges And Solutions In eVTOL Aircraft Charging Infrastructure

• Understand the evolving electrical charging needs of eVTOL aircraft and the complex requirements for electrical infrastructure at vertiports

• Explore how potential flight routes and aircraft parameters influence energy consumption calculations, essential for determining charging demands

• Learn about the agent-based modelling approach used to analyse total vertiport operation, considering flight schedules, passenger demand, and charging infrastructure

• Discover the significance of identifying the necessary number of chargers and charging strategies for potential vertiport sites, including constrained and unconstrained scenarios

• Gain insights into the grid impact analysis, highlighting the need for infrastructure upgrades or energy storage systems to accommodate charging demands without compromising grid reliability or power supply

Battery Charging – Pushing The Boundaries Of Battery Recharging To Meet The Requirements Of Large Scale Operations

• Battery recharging times are an important metric that is directly connected to the operational success of the eVTOL sector

• Meeting the requirements to effectively operate at scale, battery recharging needs to be as fast as possible, to minimize turnaround time and maximize number of flights per aircraft

• Can cutting edge battery technology increase range and shorten turnaround times—two factors that could go a long way toward helping an unproven industry succeed in a very sceptical market

• Why off-the-shelf EV batteries will not be good enough and why eVTOL manufacturers may have to pay higher prices for certificated, high-performance batteries that will be able to extend aircraft range and reduce turnaround times

The Advantages And Challenges Of Unleashing Liquid Hydrogen On eVTOL Aviation

• Understand that liquid hydrogen presents significant challenges in infrastructure development due to limited existing transport and storage infrastructure, as well as high costs associated with complex storage systems

• Despite challenges, liquid hydrogen offers performance advantages over battery electric energy, including better range, flight duration, and payload capacity for rotary-wing eVTOL vehicles.

• Learn that liquid hydrogen aircraft boast faster recharge or refuelling cycles compared to battery-powered counterparts, enhancing operational efficiency and turnaround times

• Acknowledge that while batteries offer simplicity, many eVTOL developers are exploring liquid hydrogen for its zero carbon emissions, aligning with global efforts towards sustainable aviation

• Discuss how the pursuit of carbon-free technology has spurred substantial investment from governments and private sectors, driving research and development in liquid hydrogen as a clean energy source for eVTOL aviation

Unlocking The Potential Of Vertiports With Sustainable Urban Air Mobility

• Understand how urban mobility is undergoing a zero-carbon revolution with the imminent introduction of eVTOLs and vertiports worldwide, presenting a novel and transformative market landscape

• Outlines three main business models pursued by eVTOL operators and underscores the importance of accommodating diverse approaches within vertiport design to facilitate market growth and innovation

• Highlight the factors influencing the selection and development of vertiport locations, including operational and regulatory requirements, are discussed in detail to provide insights for airport operators venturing into urban air mobility

• Introduce the importance of community engagement, which emerges as a critical aspect of vertiport development, emphasizing the need for collaboration with local communities to ensure the effective integration of vertiport networks into urban environments

• Explain how airport operators are positioned to play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of the urban air mobility industry, leveraging vertiports to enhance connectivity, alleviate local congestion, and expand accessibility to new passenger demographics

Afternoon Networking Break

Tea, Coffee, Soft Drinks, Donuts, Snacks

Securing The Skies With Effective Cybersecurity Implementation For Electric Aviation Infrastructure

• Assess the cybersecurity landscape, including components, interconnections, and operational data criticality, to identify vulnerabilities and sensitivities

• Review existing cybersecurity best practices and analyze their applicability to electric charging systems in the aviation sector

• Highlight the importance of developing common cybersecurity policies and practices among stakeholders to minimize attack surfaces and enhance response capabilities

• Utilize references and knowledge from ground vehicle development to inform cybersecurity strategies for electric aviation infrastructure

• Advocate for the integration of cybersecurity strategies into the initial stages of design and procurement for electric aviation systems to enhance defensibility and resilience against cyber threats

Navigating Vertiport Throughput Challenges In Urban Air Mobility

• Understand how vertiports are pivotal in enabling efficient Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by facilitating fast passenger processing

• Introduce hourly passenger throughput per area as a performance metric for vertiport efficiency assessment

• How using VoloCity as a reference vehicle, the study highlights the space requirement per passenger per hour, providing insights into vertiport design

• Present analysis of 13 eVTOL designs reveals that smaller maximum vehicle dimensions correlate with higher passenger throughput capacity, emphasizing design considerations for optimal UAM operations

• Offer valuable insights into vertiport operations and design strategies crucial for maximizing passenger throughput and enhancing the efficiency of Urban Air Mobility systems

Connecting The Building Blocks To Prepare For AAM Take-Off

• Recognise that transport operators, governments, and regulators face challenges in integrating AAM, requiring proactive collaboration and innovative solutions

• Understand how airports must adapt infrastructure for AAM services, while rail and metro operators can enhance connectivity opportunities

• Discover how governments and regulators play a pivotal role in fostering a safe, environmentally sustainable, and commercially viable AAM environment

• Learn how urban planners aim to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits by seamlessly integrating AAM into existing transport networks

• Showcase why hospitals and building developers must incorporate AAM infrastructure into future designs to leverage the opportunities presented by AAM services

The Potential Of Vertiports To Transform Airports And The Need To Rethink Future Strategy

• Understand how vertiports will revolutionize the traditional airport landscape, introducing a new era of integration between these emerging infrastructures and conventional airports

• Recognise that while vertiports will reshape urban transportation, conventional airports, especially hubs, will retain significance. They will continue serving longer distance and trunk routes due to the range, speed, and capacity limitations of AAM vehicles

• Learn how AAM can elevate airports beyond standalone infrastructure to become integral urban intercity hubs. They offer an alternative mode of transportation, alleviating ground transportation congestion and increasing connectivity throughout urban and suburban areas without extensive ground infrastructure costs

• Explore the opportunities to repurpose smaller, underutilised airports to ensure their relevance and sustainability.

• Assess how integrating AAM with airports aligns with sustainability goals by increasing capacity and connectivity while minimizing environmental impacts and represents a forward-thinking approach to urban mobility

Chair’s Closing Remarks

All Attendee Evening Drink Reception