The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) this week published the findings from a survey of public attitudes toward urban air mobility (UAM). The study polled 4,000 citizens in six European metropolitan areas via a quantitative survey, and also included 40 more in-depth interview qualitative interviews, as well as a simulation of aircraft noise.
The main topline finding was that 83 percent of respondents have “a positive initial attitude” toward UAM, with 71 percent saying they would be willing to “try out UAM services.” There was a more positive response when the use of the new aircraft for support in public emergencies and medical transportation was mentioned.
The cities used for the online survey were Barcelona, Spain; Budapest, Hungary; Hamburg, Germany; Milan, Italy; Paris; and Oresund, the region encompassing the Danish capital Copenhagen and Malmo in southern Sweden. A minimum of 600 people from each of these locations participated in the survey.
“As a result of this study, for the first time, EASA and the EU have insights into what the general public in Europe thinks about this entirely new development in the field of aviation,” commented EASA executive director Patrick Ky. “For EASA as a regulator, this information is crucial. It will allow us to set up the rules and regulations for this area in a way that is aligned with the expectations and perceptions of citizens.”
Earlier this month, EASA confirmed that it plans to publish phase two of the means of compliance (MoC) requirements for its Special Condition-VTOL (SC-VTOL) type certification rules by the end of June. According to David Solar, head of EASA’s general aviation and VTOL department, phase three of the MoC document will be made public in November.