Urban-Air Port and GKN Aerospace collaborate to develop a tailored Air One vertiport concept for mass transit eVTOLs
Urban-Air Port and GKN Aerospace will develop the Skybus programme – an affordable mass transit solution for urban air mobility
Urban-Air Port (UAP), the vertiport developer behind the Air One vertiport in Coventry, and GKN Aerospace are collaborating to explore smart infrastructure for Urban Air Mobility (UAM), specifically for large, high capacity eVTOL passenger shuttle operations.
GKN Aerospace, the leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier has recently completed the initial feasibility studies for the Skybus research project. The research project has explored the potential for a six-rotor, 30-person eVTOL concept to help decarbonise and decongest urban landscapes. The studies have identified significant opportunities for air ‘buses’ to operate alongside air taxis in future air mobility transport, primarily for intracity and airport shuttle services with the potential to unlock access to more remote areas, such as islands and mountainous regions. Integration into urban environments with intermodal transport connectivity is key to the success of Skybus larger-scale passenger transportation and is enabled by Air One’s uniquely compact footprint and patented technologies.
The cost and feasibility of implementing such a system will be highly dependent on the land take of the vertiport and therefore a new eVTOL network introduced into a congested city must consider space efficiency as a priority. UAP’s Air One model (one of UAP’s suite of infrastructure solutions) is modular by design, scalable and ultra-compact and affords a low CAPEX and OPEX infrastructure that can be tailored to serve larger eVTOLs such as Skybus, whilst continuing to be vehicle agnostic. This enhanced Air One model includes multiple hangars, multi-level take-off and landing zones and flexible stands uniquely incorporating a Multiple Apron Ramp System (MARS) for eVTOLs. These are just some of Air One’s new design features that will enable Skybus and other eVTOLs to co-exist and successfully operate in a dense urban environment. UAP’s technology and modular systems were envisioned for an evolving regulatory environment and the new design responds to and informs recent EASA guidelines whilst delivering and building on the core DNA of UAP.
“We’re very excited to be working with GKN Aerospace, a world-leader in the aerospace and UAM industry, on this ground breaking and game-changing project. By working in collaboration with GKN Aerospace and understanding the functional requirements of Skybus we have defined a tailored version of our Air One model that allows a future of larger eVTOLs to efficiently fit into complex city environments around the world. We have aligned visions to realise sustainable, scalable and viable advanced air mobility systems to unleash clean, seamless and affordable air travel for all.”
“At GKN Aerospace, we are passionate about technologies that bring economic, social and environmental benefits for future generations. It will take a range of technologies and collaboration across the whole industry to achieve our net zero goal. Collaborating with UAP on development of vertiport concepts is a great example of GKN Aerospace’s ambition to work in partnership to inspire our customers into new markets, products and technologies.”
UAP offers a world-class customer experience for passengers in Air One. A full suite of products and services from some of the largest and most-recognised global retail brands and food & beverage service partners will be available through its digital platform Urban-Air Choice. Passengers in the lounge will be able to explore the fully integrated app and browse through the experiential retail pop-ups while enjoying food and drink from the Urban-Air Café. These features will enable Air One to fully capitalise on the non-aeronautical revenue potential of Urban Air Mobility. This will also complement the opportunities Skybus presents as a mass transit service with a greater potential passenger footfall per aircraft, which in turn will subside operational costs enabling reduced ticket prices. UAP and GKN Aerospace are looking forward to further opportunities for collaboration with the shared goal of making UAM affordable and accessible for all.
About Urban-Air Port®
Urban-Air Port Limited designs, develops, manufactures, sells and operates ground, air and digital infrastructure for new forms of sustainable urban air transport such as air taxis and autonomous delivery drones. Its mission is to remove the largest single constraint to sustainable air mobility – ground infrastructure – in order to create a zero-emission-mobility ecosystem that will significantly cut congestion and air pollution from passenger and cargo transport. Urban-Air Port is recognised as a world leader in the Advanced Air Mobility sector. It recently completed the launch of Air One, a world-first demonstration of its vertiport technology in Coventry City Centre, UK and plans to deliver over 200 vertiports across the world in the next five years – ultra-compact, rapidly deployable, operations hubs for manned and unmanned vehicles providing aircraft command and control; charging/refuelling; and cargo and passenger loading. The company is backed by UK Government and major international partners, including Supernal. Urban-Air Port’s team of innovators, aeronautical engineers and aerospace experts have worked at companies including Airbus, Foster + Partners, Arup, JP Morgan, Knight Frank, British Aviation Group, Qinetiq and Uber, and in the UK Defence Sector. Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information or social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.
