Eve and Flexjet collaborate on simulation software to advance UAM
Image courtesy Eve
Together, the companies have conducted an initial software simulation of Eve’s Urban Air Traffic Management (Urban ATM) solution. The initiative validated and refined the software through user testing and feedback on its interface and industry value.
With London being one of the world’s foremost helicopter markets and a key focus for future eVTOL operations, the simulation took place over four days this month at Flexjet’s Tactical Control Centre at Farnborough Airport, UK and saw Eve’s Urban ATM software shadowing live helicopter flights operated by Flexjet’s UK helicopter division, performing the kind of services that will be essential to enabling future UAM operations.
Flexjet operates a fleet of 11 helicopters in the UK and its group of companies is one of Eve’s Urban ATM Fleet Operator customers.
UK helicopter operator Flexjet provided its helicopter fleet to perform flights, collaborating closely with Eve’s Urban ATM team. Air traffic control services provider NATS and London Heliport supported the initiative by providing additional feedback to help ensure Eve’s solution will provide value to all UAM ecosystem participants.
“This collaboration with Flexjet represents a significant step forward in our efforts to advance urban air mobility," said Johann Bordais, CEO of Eve. "We are committed to exploring innovative solutions that will enhance current operations and contribute to the future of urban flights.”
Eli Flint, Flexjet President of Global Helicopter Operations, added: “We were delighted to provide Flexjet’s UK helicopter expertise and to play a key role in forging the UAM ecosystem of tomorrow, helping to inform the movements of the next generation of vertical aircraft. Flexjet is dedicated to advancing the aviation solutions that will meet our customers’ needs over the coming years, and we are excited by the potential of eVTOLs for seamless and sustainable electric short-range flights.”
The initiative encompassed various aspects of operations, including regular business operations, atypical scenarios and flights tailored to an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft’s specific needs, enabling the demonstration of product behaviour in various real-world scenarios. The integration of vertiports to efficiently manage resources was the primary focus of the test, in addition to verifying and validating a subset of the Urban ATM product capabilities, with a specific emphasis on the UAM fleet operator support tool.
Eve’s objective with this collaboration was to provide insights into the services required to support future eVTOL operations safely and efficiently. Another aim was to investigate whether these new services may have immediate value for existing helicopter operations. Following the simulation, Eve and Flexjet will review the findings and discuss recommendations for improvements, changes and potential integration requirements. The companies will also continue to explore opportunities for further integration of existing software tools, enhancing the potential of the Urban ATM solution.
Electric UAM has the capability to improve the affordability of urban flights for communities, compared to current helicopter operations and features a streamlined and efficient design, which contributes to reduced operational and maintenance costs. Eve’s Urban ATM solutions will support this by maximising the utilisation of aircraft and vertiports, further reducing operational costs.
This innovative collaboration between Eve and Flexjet serves to advance the future of urban air mobility, towards providing efficient and sustainable solutions for the future of urban transportation.
