Private flight provider Flexjet has concluded a simulation exercise with Eve Air Mobility focused on how new eVTOL aircraft could be integrated with its existing helicopter and fixed-wing services. The four-day project was conducted during November from Flexjet’s Tactical Control Centre at the London-area Farnborough Airport, using the Urban Air Traffic Management software that Eve intends to make available to its customers and other eVTOL operators.
During the simulation, the cloud-based Urban ATM platform was used to “shadow” live rotorcraft movements as if they were eVTOL aircraft. Flexjet’s UK division operates 11 helicopters, and in June 2021 the group’s Halo business unit made a provisional commitment to add up to 200 of Eve’s four-passenger eVTOL aircraft to its fleet following anticipated type certification in late 2026.
According to Adam Twidell, Flexjet’s head of future flight, the company is in discussions with Eve about when and how deliveries could happen. “While a key Flexjet goal is to ensure our customers have access to the most safe and modern fleet of aircraft in the industry, it’s vital that the introduction of new technology is done at the correct pace,” he told AIN. “There are many aspects of introducing new aircraft into operation, from pilot training to maintenance support, so the whole industry still has a lot of work to do to prepare the ground for eVTOL operations.”
UK air traffic control provider NATS and the London Heliport both participated in the simulation exercise, providing feedback on how the flights were conducted. A team from Eve was based in the Farnborough control center to track movements in real time.
Much of Eve’s expertise in air traffic management is based on its connection with Embraer sister company Atech in Brazil. Eve has conducted similar simulation exercises with other helicopter operators in Chicago and Rio de Janeiro as part of the process of developing concept-of-operations templates for the launch of eVTOL services. One of these was published in the UK in early 2022, based on a joint exercise with NATS, London Heathrow and City airports, Skyports, and fellow eVTOL developers Volocopter and Vertical Aerospace.
Brenden Hedblom, Eve’s head of traffic management solutions, said that the simulation had allowed both companies’ operational teams to examine “the full user journey” for flights. This process included creating flight plans, checking airspace constraints and vertiport availability, and making contingency arrangements for situations such as diversions or the need to recharge electric aircraft during a day’s operations. The partners have also been assessing needs such as battery management, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and ground-handling services.
During the exercise, Eve and Flexjet were able to use some empty-leg helicopter flights to trial scenarios such as a possible need to divert to a small airfield like Dunsfold during a flight from Farnborough to Biggin Hill Airport. The companies are working on the assumption that, at least in initial eVTOL operations, they will not be able to fly in IFR and/or known icing conditions, and in these cases, the plan would be to switch customers to a helicopter at short notice.
“At airports such as Congonhas [in Sao Paulo] we have seen procedural limitations resulting from missed approaches [by business jets] due to helicopters flying across the approach path,” Hedblom told AIN. “We will require new tailored ATM services with new levels of safety to take account of eVTOLs and drones in shared airspace.”
Flexjet expects to offer eVTOL rides to customers in markets where it currently operates helicopters, including London, New York, and Miami. However, the company has resolved not to confirm specific routes or missions until regulations such as requirements for battery energy reserves covering commercial flights are fully settled.
Also to be determined is the business model under which the eVTOL aircraft would be operated, with Flexjet offering a variety of possibilities including aircraft management, fractional ownership and leases, jet cards, and charters. The company has also shown interest in adding electric and hydrogen-powered fixed-wing aircraft to its fleet at some point.
In the aftermath of the simulation exercise, Eve and Flexjet will review the findings and discuss possible improvements for integrating the new eVTOL aircraft into the overall business model. One of the objectives of the Urban ATM platform is to maximize the utilization of aircraft and the anticipated new vertiports to drive down operating costs.
“We were delighted to provide Flexjet’s UK helicopter expertise and to play a key role in forging the urban air mobility ecosystem of tomorrow, helping to inform the movements of the next generation of vertical aircraft,” said Eli Flint, Flexjet’s president of global helicopter operations. “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.”