A Beginner's Guide to Advanced Air Mobility (or Use When Needed at Family Gatherings)

What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is an umbrella term that refers to a new wave of air transportation powered by innovative technologies. AAM includes Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Regional Air Mobility (RAM). It’s focused on aircraft that use electric or hybrid-electric propulsion systems and have advanced capabilities for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). AAM encompasses more than just air taxis; it’s about new types of aircraft that are more sustainable and efficient for various purposes, including regional connections and unmanned flight systems.

• Urban Air Mobility (UAM): UAM focuses on electric aircraft for short-distance air travel within cities, like air taxis, using vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology.

• Regional Air Mobility (RAM): RAM involves electric or hybrid aircraft for short to medium-distance travel between regional hubs, offering faster connections than traditional ground transport.

Where do Drones Fit in AAM?

While cargo and delivery drones don’t fit into UAM or RAM directly, they are related to AAM through their use of advanced air technologies. Drones represent a separate market within the AAM ecosystem, mainly under UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems), though they are often supported by the same infrastructure elements such as air traffic management systems, regulations, and battery providers.

Note: While drones are under the UAS market, drones are usually invited to AAM events too, which can create confusion unless you're specifically from AAM or UAS and know the difference.

Aircraft in AAM and Their Power Sources

Aircraft Type	Description	Examples	Power Source	Use Case	Market
eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing)	Aircraft that take off and land vertically, powered by electricity, ideal for urban air taxis.	Joby Aviation, Archer Aviation, Volocopter	Fully electric (battery-powered)	Urban and regional air travel, air taxis	UAM & RAM
eSTOL (Electric Short Take-Off and Landing)	Aircraft requiring a short runway but are more energy-efficient than eVTOLs. Useful for regional travel.	Electra.aero	Electric, sometimes hybrid (battery-powered)	Short regional flights	RAM
eCTOL (Electric Conventional Take-Off and Landing)	Aircraft that take off like conventional airplanes, but are electric-powered, for longer distances.	BETA Technologies	Fully electric (battery-powered)	Longer regional flights	RAM
Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft	Aircraft that use hydrogen fuel cells to power electric motors, focusing on longer ranges with zero emissions.	Joby Aviation (future model), BluJ Aerospace	Hydrogen or hybrid-electric (battery and hydrogen fuel cell)	Long-range flights with zero emissions	AAM
Hybrid Aircraft	Aircraft that use both electric power and traditional fuel-based engines for increased range and flexibility.	Vertical Aerospace	Hybrid-electric (battery and fuel)	Long-range and flexible flights	RAM
Cargo Drones	Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for delivering goods, often in logistics and supply chains.	Wingcopter, Zipline	Electric (battery-powered)	Cargo delivery and logistics	UAS
Agricultural Drones	Drones used in agriculture to monitor crops, apply pesticides, and manage farming tasks.	DJI Agras, Parrot	Electric (battery-powered)	Crop monitoring, pesticide spraying, and agriculture tasks	UAS
Delivery Drones	Small UAVs used for fast, small-scale deliveries, often from stores to homes.	Amazon Prime Air, UPS Flight Forward	Electric (battery-powered)	Small-scale deliveries	UAS

In addition to the well-known cargo, agricultural, and delivery drones, there are also offshore drones used for inspecting marine operations and deliveries, medical drones delivering vital supplies to remote areas, and search and rescue drones aiding in the location of missing persons in challenging environments.

The AAM Ecosystem

AAM is more than just aircraft; it requires an entire infrastructure ecosystem:

• Vertiports: Designated areas for take-off and landing of eVTOLs and similar aircraft, often in city centers.

• Airports: Traditional airports may serve as hubs for regional air mobility (RAM), especially for eCTOL aircraft and larger hybrid models.

• Air Traffic Management (ATM): A complex system that will allow AAM vehicles to operate in controlled airspace alongside traditional aircraft.

• Regulations & Safety Standards: AAM aircraft must undergo stringent certification processes to ensure they meet safety standards.

• City Planning and Mapping: Urban infrastructure must integrate vertiports and air corridors to accommodate these new aircraft.

• Security Systems: Ensuring cybersecurity and the safety of flight operations, especially for drones and autonomous vehicles.

• Software & Digital Infrastructure: Advanced software for route planning, flight control, and passenger booking. This could involve AI-based traffic management and autonomous flight systems.

• Satellite & Communication Networks: Satellite connectivity ensures aircraft can communicate in real time with traffic management systems and help monitor aircraft operations.

• OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers):  Aircraft Manufacturing (Airframe, Engine, etc.), Propulsion System Manufacturers, Avionics and Aircraft Systems Manufacturers, Fuel Cell Manufacturers,  Battery Providers, Subcomponents Manufacturers.

Are All Air Taxi Manufacturers Also Operators?

No, not all air taxi manufacturers are operators, but some plan to run their own services. Joby Aviation takes a hybrid approach—while it intends to operate its own air taxis in U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles, supported by its partnership with Delta Air Lines, it follows a different strategy in the U.K. There, Joby collaborates with Virgin Atlantic, which will act as the operator, integrating Joby’s aircraft into its network. This flexible model allows Joby to adapt to different markets—operating independently where feasible while leveraging established airline partners in other regions.

However, other manufacturers may focus solely on selling or leasing their aircraft. For instance, some sell directly to leasing companies like Avolon, which then leases them to operators such as Freebird Airlines, who manage the day-to-day operations. This model allows manufacturers to concentrate on production while operators handle passenger services and logistics.

This separation between manufacturing and operating is common in aviation, with manufacturers focusing on design and production, while operators manage logistics and service delivery.

Summary

AAM is reshaping short-haul air travel with new vehicle technologies, infrastructure, and operational frameworks. It includes electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft designed for urban and regional air transport, supported by a complex ecosystem of vertiports, air traffic systems, regulations, and digital platforms. Drones, although part of a different sector (UAS), are also contributing to this transformation, particularly in areas like cargo delivery.