Drones and air taxis are no longer the vehicles of tomorrow. They are the vehicles of today! The aviation industry has begun a rapid transformation with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as the catalyst. From travel to transport, AAM innovations will impact every facet of the industry, increasing safety, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability. Here’s how!
What Is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?
NASA, one of the organizations leading the charge in AAM innovations, defines AAM as “a safe, accessible, automated, and affordable air transportation system for passengers and cargo capable of serving previously hard-to-reach urban and rural locations.” This new range of technology includes vehicles that used to be real only in futuristic movies. Now, the aviation industry has access to numerous kinds of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), including drones and air taxis, often referred to as eVTOLS (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft).
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By incorporating AAM into the day-to-day operations of local, regional, and international aviation programs, the aviation industry as a whole can expand and become more interconnected. More and more areas will gain access to goods and services that they otherwise would not have been able to receive, whether due to remoteness or lack of infrastructure.
How AAM Impacts the Aviation Industry
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From travel to delivering cargo, the aviation industry touches many different aspects of our lives every day. As a result, the incorporation of AAM throughout the industry will have a noticeable impact on the way these various facets of the industry operate.
Let’s look at a few examples.
Rescue and Emergency Services
AAM will revolutionize the distribution of rescue and emergency services around the world. UAVs can reach remote locations to deliver emergency supplies at a much faster and safer rate than traditional manned aircraft. Many firefighting teams currently use UAVs to increase situational awareness and perform post-fire analysis through scene monitoring and assessment.
Air Mobility Wing
Air mobility organizations like the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) can also use AAM to carry out missions with greater efficiency. For example, some wings in the RAAF, like the No. 86 Wing, are responsible for refueling missions, often performed in the air. Boeing and other aerospace manufacturers are in the process of developing and testing UAVs that can perform automated refueling mid-flight. This technology will make operations safer and more reliable, especially when transferring fuel in low-visibility conditions.
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Sustainable Transport
AAM has many sustainable uses in the transportation industry. Even when following the most efficient route possible, a traditional vehicle will usually produce more emissions than a drone. This is because a drone can take an even more direct route, meaning it will use up less energy which leads to less emissions. UAVs’ abilities to lower both emissions and overall delivery time will be a game-changer for last-mile delivery.
Become a Part of the AAM Evolution
With Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) innovations comes the need for well-trained people who can apply these new solutions and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the aircraft. If you have an interest in this growing field, consider pursuing a career in aviation management. Holmes Institute of Aviation offers a cutting-edge degree program designed to arm you with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to break into the aviation management space.
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Connect with one of our dedicated course advisors today to learn how you can take the first step toward an exciting new career.
