Future of airspace is here! NASA begins flight testing electric air taxi: In Pics

NASA said that the National Campaign Developmental Testing is an important strategic step in NASA’s goals to accelerate the AAM industry timeline,” said Davis Hackenberg, NASA AAM mission integration manager. “These testing scenarios will help inform gaps in current standards to benefit the industry’s progress of integrating AAM vehicles into the airspace.”

Image credits: NASA/Joby Aviation

In what could be the first time for NASA, the space agency will test an eVTOL aircraft as part of the campaign. In a statement, NASA said that the electric aircraft could serve as air taxis for those in cities and surrounding areas around the country, adding another mode of transportation for moving people and goods.

Image credits: NASA

With the trials, NASA is aiming to collect vehicle performance and acoustic data for use in modelling and simulation of future airspace concepts. The space agency said that the tests will help in identifying the gaps in the current Federal Aviation Administration regulations and policies. 

Image credits: NASA

The ongoing air taxi test could also help in incorporating the aircraft in the American National Airspace System. NASA also noted that the overall campaign will take place at multiple locations over several years before electric air taxis could be made public. 

Image credits: NASA

The testing will be conducted till Friday, September 10. All the tests under the campaign are conducted at Joby’s Electric Flight Base located near Big Sur, California. During the tests, NASA will collect data from Joby’s aircraft to execute the first set of campaign tests. Information such as how the vehicle moves, sounds and communicates with controllers will be collected during the trial phase.

Image credits: NASA