An Examination of Powered-Lift Aircraft Operations in Urban Areas

The development of distributed electric propulsion has enabled many novel Powered-Lift aircraft concepts, referred to as electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This paper describes the development of a study focused on addressing the need for evaluation methods that effectively evaluate novel aircraft automation concepts independent of aircraft configuration. The research specifically focuses on evaluation of novel aircraft concepts with Indirect Flight Control Systems that are capable of Vertical Takeoff and Landing. The research activity consists of development of industry representative aircraft, aircraft automation, training, and procedural development as well as data collected in studies, referred to as Automation Enabled Pilot studies 1 and 2 (AEP-1 and AEP -2). The AEP-1 study focused on investigating methods of evaluation of various methods of aircraft control and the effects of levels of automation and environmental effects on those transitions. This paper describes the development of the AEP-2 study and implications for the operation of eVTOL Powered-Lift aircraft.