A V I A T I O N A N D A E R O S P A C E

W E B I N A R

DYMISTIFAYING
URBAN AIR MOBILITY
SYSTEMS
 Joseph Adeyemi is a drone ecosystem
ABOUT JOSEPH ADEYEMI professional with keen interest in drone
system conceptualization ranging from
design to flight testing and deployments. He
has authored 5 books on drone technology
operations. He is a certified drone pilot by
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
and African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA)
respectively.

He is also a trained and certified hydroponics

farmer by Soilless Farm Lab with results to
his credit. Presently Joseph works as a Field
Operations Associate at Integrated Aerial
Precision Limited. A Nigeria based Agritech
Drone service provider.
 SLIDES OUTLINES

Introduction

Key components of UAM systems

Benefits of UAM systems

Challenges and Consideration

Potential applications

Case study in the market

Future outlooks
INTRODUCTION TO
URBAN AIR MOBILITY
Urban Air Mobility Systems popularly
known as human carrier drones, refer to
the emerging transportation concept
that utilizes electric vertical takeoff and
landing (eVTOL) aircraft to provide
efficient and sustainable aerial
transportation within urban areas,
aiming to alleviate congestion and offer
faster mobility options.
 DEFINITION TO URBAN
AIR MOBILITY
Urban Air Mobility Systems, in simple
terms, are transportation systems that use
flying vehicles (often electric-powered) to
move people and goods around cities.
These vehicles can take off and land
vertically like helicopters, but they are
designed to be quieter, more efficient, and
capable of carrying multiple passengers.
The goal is to provide faster and more
sustainable transportation options for
urban areas while reducing traffic
congestion on the ground.
TYPES OF URBAN AIR MOBILITY
JET SUITS by GRAVITY
 KEY COMPONENTS
OF UAM SYSTEMS
URBAN AIR MOBILITY SYSTEMS COMPRISE
KEY COMPONENTS SUCH AS ELECTRIC
VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING
(EVTOL) AIRCRAFT, SMART
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR VERTIPORTS,
ADVANCED AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR
SEAMLESS PASSENGER AND CARGO
OPERATIONS. THESE COMPONENTS WORK
TOGETHER TO ENABLE EFFICIENT, SAFE,
AND SUSTAINABLE AERIAL
TRANSPORTATION WITHIN URBAN AREAS.
KEY COMPONENTS
OF UAM SYSTEMS
UAM VTOL Aircraft

VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft

are aircraft that have the capability to take off
and land vertically, without requiring a runway
or a long stretch of space for takeoff and
landing. They are capable of transitioning from
vertical flight to conventional horizontal flight,
providing greater flexibility and access to
various locations, including urban environments.
Examples of VTOL aircraft include helicopters,
tiltrotor aircraft, and electric vertical takeoff
and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
 Vertiports Infrastructure
KEY COMPONENTS
OF UAM SYSTEMS

A vertiport, in the context of Urban Air Mobility (UAM),

refers to a designated facility or landing area
specifically designed and equipped to accommodate the
takeoff, landing, and servicing of vertical takeoff and
landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Vertiports serve as hubs or stations for UAM operations,

providing infrastructure and services for the safe and
efficient movement of passengers and cargo using VTOL
aircraft within urban areas. They may include facilities
such as landing pads, charging stations, passenger
terminals, maintenance areas, and ground support
infrastructure.
 KEY COMPONENTS Air Traffic management

OF UAM SYSTEMS
AIR MOBILITY SYSTEMS COMPRISE KEY
COMPONENTS SUCH AS ELECTRIC VERTICAL
TAKEOFF AND LANDING (EVTOL) AIRCRAFT,
SMART INFRASTRUCTURE FOR VERTIPORTS,
ADVANCED AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS, AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR
SEAMLESS PASSENGER AND CARGO
OPERATIONS. THESE COMPONENTS WORK
TOGETHER TO ENABLE EFFICIENT, SAFE, AND
SUSTAINABLE AERIAL TRANSPORTATION WITHIN
URBAN AREAS. THE PROCESS ARE AS FOLLOWS
IN NEXT SLIDES.
L
NGER AND
ONENTS
CIENT,

AREAS.

Airspace Design: UAM ATM begins with the

design of airspace to accommodate the
unique characteristics of urban operations.
This includes defining routes, corridors, and
altitude restrictions to ensure safe separation
between aircraft and other obstacles.

 Traffic Planning: Based on demand and

available airspace capacity, traffic
planning determines the optimal routing
and scheduling of UAM operations. It
considers factors like flight duration,
energy efficiency, noise impact, and
congestion avoidance to minimize
conflicts and maximize efficiency.

Vehicle Registration and Identification: All

UAM vehicles are registered in the system,
ensuring they meet safety requirements and
are traceable. Each vehicle is assigned a
unique identification code, which is used for
tracking and monitoring purposes.

 Flight Planning and Authorization: UAM operators

submit flight plans indicating the desired route,
altitude, and other relevant details. The ATM system
verifies the feasibility of the plan, taking into account
airspace restrictions, weather conditions, and other
factors. Approved flight plans are assigned specific
time slots for departure and arrival.

 Real-time Monitoring and Tracking:

During UAM operations, the ATM
system continuously monitors the
position, altitude, and speed of each
vehicle in real time. This information is
used to detect potential conflicts,
deviations from flight plans, or other
anomalies.

 Conflict Resolution and Deconfliction: If a

conflict or deviation is detected, the ATM
system initiates a resolution process. This
may involve altering the flight plan,
adjusting the speed or altitude of the
vehicle, or even redirecting it to an
alternative route to ensure separation from
other aircraft or obstacles.

 Communication and Collaboration: Effective

communication is crucial in UAM ATM. Operators,
pilots, and the ATM system exchange information
regarding flight intentions, changes in plans, and
any emerging situations. Collaboration between
all stakeholders helps maintain situational
awareness and enables prompt decision-making.

 Emergency Response and Contingency Planning:

The ATM system is prepared to handle emergencies
and unexpected events. It has contingency plans in
place to handle incidents like vehicle malfunctions,
adverse weather conditions, or airspace intrusions.
It can reroute or ground vehicles if necessary to
ensure safety.

 By implementing a comprehensive
ATM process, UAM systems aim to
enable the safe and efficient
integration of UAVs into urban
airspace, facilitating the realization
of a sustainable and scalable urban
air transportation system.
 Benefits of UAM System

Reduced traffic congestion: UAM can alleviate congestion by

utilizing airspace and bypassing ground-based traffic.

Faster travel times: VTOL vehicles can travel in a straight line,

reducing travel times between destinations.

Improved accessibility: UAM can provide transportation options

to areas with limited road infrastructure, improving accessibility
for remote locations.

Environmental sustainability: Electric-powered VTOL vehicles

can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a greener
transportation system.


Challenges and Considerations

Infrastructure development:
Building the necessary infrastructure, including landing pads and charging stations,
requires significant investment.

Airspace management:
Efficient air traffic management systems need to be developed to ensure safe and organized
operations.

Noise pollution:
UAM vehicles can generate noise, and measures should be taken to minimize their impact
on communities.

Regulatory framework:
Establishing regulations and standards for UAM operations to ensure safety and
compliance.
 Potential Applications of UAM System

Commuting: UAM can provide a new mode of transportation

for daily commutes, reducing travel time and congestion on
roads.

Emergency services: UAM vehicles can be utilized for medical

emergencies, search and rescue missions, and disaster
response.

Goods delivery: UAM systems can enable faster and more

efficient delivery of goods, particularly in urban areas.


Case Studies and Testing operations

Highlight of successful UAM projects and pilots conducted

in different cities or countries.

Showcasing the positive impact of UAM systems on

transportation efficiency and mobility.
 Future Outlook

Growth potential of UAM systems in urban

areas
Collaborations and partnerships between
stakeholders for a seamless integration of
UAM into existing transportation systems

Technological advancements and innovation

in UAM vehicles and infrastructure
 Conclusion

Benefits of UAM systems on transportation,

including reduced congestion, improved
accessibility, and environmental sustainability.

Africa inclusion in the need for research and

development, and collaboration to unlock the full
potential of UAM in urban areas.
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