What the UK Future of Flight Action Plan means for AAM

The UK Government has published its UK Future of Flight Action Plan for the industrialisation of emerging aviation technologies and their integration into the existing civil aviation system. Within the report, ‘Future of Flight’ as identified as including Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and all electric, Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles (eVTOLs),

The report estimates the socioeconomic benefit of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to the UK to be between £1-2b annually by 2040. Noting the material economic, environmental, and social benefits of becoming a leader in this sector, Government and industry, via the Future of Flight Industry Group (FFIG), have set out a vision for the third revolution in flight.

FFIG is the sponsor of the Future of Flight Action Plan, providing oversight and approval of the plan. Co-chaired by the Minister for Aviation and a senior representative from industry – currently Duncan Walker (Chief Executive Officer, Skyports) – it includes representatives from a multitude of organisations.

The roadmap outlined the Shared Vision of 2030 as below:

“By 2030, the UK will be a leader in emerging aviation technologies, with a sustainable industry and thriving ecosystem
at home and UK companies providing a range of services around the world.
UK industries and the public will enjoy economic, social and environmental benefits thanks to the widespread availability of these technologies within our economy, communities and transport networks.”

Key milestones to facilitate this include:

  • 2024 First vertiport operationally ready in the UK
  • 2026 Piloted eVTOL flight
  • 2026 Integration of interoperable energy infrastructure into vertiports
  • 2027-28 A network of 20 commercial vertiports in regional clusters
  • 2027-28 Continued advancements in electric/battery tech
  • 2028 Piloted eVTOL flight operations
  • 2029-30 Development of autonomous navigation capabilities
  • 2030 Autonomous eVTOL flight – providing a path to scaled commercial activity and long term sustainable operations.

Stressing the importance of collaboration, the report mapped out how the central government, Civil Aviation Authority, and Industry must work together to translate the vision into reality and assigned key to responsibilities to each.

 

The UK Future of Flight Action Plan

 

The Action Plan sets out a bold trajectory for the coming years. Do you think the timeline is achievable?

 

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