• 30 Apr 2022 12:55 AM
• 0

US Cities Explore eVTOL Services

Wisk Aero announced on Feb. 22 that it has partnered with the Long Beach Economic Partnership to conduct an economic impact study to measure the potential benefits from AAM operations in southern California. The two organizations will establish a working group comprised of local leaders to evaluate the impact according to four key areas: economic impact and workforce development, community acceptance and outreach, transportation networks, and federal and state government funding opportunities. Representatives from the City of Long Beach and the California-based eVTOL developer will co-chair the group. 

The City of Miami, meanwhile, has added two eVTOL developers, Eve and Supernal, to its ambitious plans to introduce AAM services, which already included Archer and Lilium. Supernal, a Hyundai company, announced on March 1 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Miami to develop a “comprehensive framework” for enabling the development of AAM operations in the city. Under the terms of the agreement, Supernal and Miami will work with community organizations to consider whether AAM could help fill gaps in the existing transportation network. It will also provide workforce development opportunities and incubate the talent required to support future AAM operations in the city. 

On March 16, Eve announced that it has formed a consortium of UAM organizations to develop a concept of operations for eVTOL operations between Miami International Airport and the Miami Beach Convention Center. Vertiport-developer Skyports, L3Harris Technologies and the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) are contributing to the document, which is expected to be presented to county and public stakeholders this summer.