The aviation industry, a cornerstone of global connectivity and economic progress, is undergoing a paradigm shift. Europe, at the forefront of this revolution, is witnessing a confluence of innovation in autonomy, digital services, sustainability and inclusivity reshaping the future of air travel. Here we delve into how these advancements are transforming Europe's air traffic management (ATM) services and the broader aviation sector, particularly pilot training, and how using the drone industry is accelerating us towards a fully integrated ATM/UTM (uncrewed aircraft system traffic management). These innovations will have a profound impact on traditional aviation and, in particular, on ATM services.
The drone industry is the foundation for the future of passenger-carrying, fully autonomous aircraft. We can use the current regulatory environment and technology to test out the reliability, certification standards and ecosystem requirements (such as off-airport vertiports), and then scale for the future where we have larger aircraft with precious cargo (people). Autonomous aircraft are not just a leap in technology but a stride towards enhanced safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability. These uncrewed systems need a reimagined approach to ATM/UTM, where traditional human-centric models evolve to seamlessly integrate autonomous operations.
There has been a positive uptake by the public of delivery drone services and the desire for immediate, on-demand services will continue to support growth in this area. However, we have a lot more work to do to see eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft being widely accepted or demanded by the public, as can be seen in recent comments from French local councils when discussing the upcoming Paris flights by Volocopter at the Olympics. Some use cases are immediately acceptable – such as medical emergencies/ evacuation/disaster zones, while others (such as widespread air taxis) will require more engagement with the community, highlighting the positivity of this green mode of transport, so long as the electricity for charging is generated sustainably.
The role of pilots is undergoing a dramatic transformation. In the early stages of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry, the public and regulators will want pilots onboard aircraft that carry people. But will pilots be pilots as we know them? Will they even be called pilots? What skills will they require? Given the levels of autonomy on these new generation aircraft should they be redefined as systems operators? Certainly, while the industry is new, we will have commercially qualified, possibly even instrument-rated pilots with eVTOL-type ratings flying these aircraft. But can the industry support this long term? There is a significant pilot shortage globally and the cost of the training and salary of an airline pilot will not be sustainable in the AAM industry. So, we need to redefine the role, the requirements, the training syllabus, the delivery of training, the licensing of these systems operators and the role of the human in the loop interaction. And when do we remove them from the aircraft and allow remotely piloted aircraft to carry passengers as a stepping stone towards fully autonomous passenger carrying flights?
The cargo industry, on the other hand, will be an early adopter of eVTOL as this sector is traditionally the least environmentally friendly in the industry with older, fuel-inefficient aircraft. The sector is likely to use fully autonomous flight before we carry passengers autonomously.
Collaborations between aviation authorities, OEMs, ATM/UTM providers, educational institutions and industry stakeholders are crucial in developing comprehensive training programmes. These initiatives should focus on virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) and mixed reality, AI, machine learning – and a combination of these not yet seen in the aviation industry.
While we embrace technology as an industry, we do not generally move forward quickly; however, the AAM industry will require regulators to keep pace with technological advances.
Aviation businesses must adopt agile and forward-thinking strategies to stay relevant. This involves investing in research and development, fostering a culture of innovation and adapting business models to incorporate new technologies and practices. A positive example of this is the work Avtrain carried out with ASL Airlines to achieve their EASA Light Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certification (LUC) in 2023. ASL Future Flight, as one of the largest movers of freight in Europe, will use the certification to “train and gain experience on drone operations before moving onto heavier and longer-range operations”, according to the company. LUC is the equivalent of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for drones.
The seamless integration of new technologies into existing systems is a critical challenge. Collaborations between technology providers, aviation companies and regulatory bodies are essential to ensure that this integration is efficient, safe and compliant with existing regulations. Many ATM systems are based on archaic technology that might not support a fully automated environment.
SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (SESAR-JU) is a European partnership between private and public sector partners that was set up to accelerate, through research and innovation, the delivery of the Digital European Sky. SESAR is harnessing, developing and accelerating the take-up of the most cutting-edge technological solutions to manage conventional aircraft, drones, air taxis and vehicles flying at higher altitudes.