Going Airborne: Kent State's Pioneering Leap into Integrated Advanced Air Mobility

Abstract

Verbatim from Embry-Riddle Scholarly Commons. Not paraphrased, not summarized.

This proposal centers on the development of a Concept of Operations in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Kent State University's College of Aeronautics and Engineering is poised to pioneer the integration of drones and electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) systems, bridging the gap between its campus and airport by transporting students and faculty the 3NM distance from campus to the airport and back by a UAV. Beyond a standard research initiative, this proposal signifies a groundbreaking effort to reshape the landscape of educational aeronautics and Advanced Air Mobility and Urban Air Mobility. Our overarching goal is to transcend conventional boundaries and actualize the widely discussed vision of making drones and eVTOLs integral components of our daily lives. Our methodical approach balances thoroughness with practicality. We aim to implement drone and eVTOL operations meticulously, exploring the intricacies of vehicle design, advanced navigation systems, and innovative safety protocols within a 5-mile radius. Employing a risk-based system, we will develop the "Dark Space" theory in Drone Airway Development, delving into the complexities of traffic deconfliction, weather dynamics, payload capacities, communication challenges, and the associated regulatory and legal hurdles. Despite the ambitious nature of this research venture, it necessitates collaboration across multiple disciplines and significant resources, spanning fields from Aeronautical Engineering to Cybersecurity. This proposal extends an open invitation to students, faculty, and the community to join forces in a journey that not only enriches learning but also assesses public interest and devises strategies to seamlessly introduce these aircraft into the National Airspace System.

Author

• Lorenzon, Jason T Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Keywords

• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
• Concept of Operations
• Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
• Drone Integration
• Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Systems
• Educational Aeronautics
• Traffic Deconfliction
• Vehicle Design
• Navigation Systems
• Safety Protocols
• Dark Space Theory
• Drone Airway Development