Eve UAM has published the concept of operations (ConOps) for the future urban air mobility (UAM) market in Rio de Janeiro. The document is a first for Brazil and brings together data and analyses that cover the perspective, points of attention and operational needs of eVTOL vehicles, the passenger journey, and services and support.

The ConOps was developed through cooperation with eleven strategic partners and government entities, including ANAC (Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil), DECEA (Department of Airspace Control), EDP Brazil, Helisul Aviacao, Skyports, Flapper, RIOgaleão, Universal Aviation and ABAG (Brazilian General Aviation Association), in addition to Beacon, a platform that connects the ecosystem of aircraft maintenance services, and Atech, a company specialising in the control and management of air traffic (civil and military), both Embraer Group companies.

“All the partners of this working group play essential roles in the development of urban air mobility. Therefore, this collaborative document was designed to better understand the characteristics and challenges faced by this mode of transport. It also provides information about the UAM ecosystem that can not only be adapted but also developed with solutions to ensure a safe and sustainable expansion,” says Eve vice president of services and fleet operations Luiz Mauad.

The design of the ConOps included studies on aspects that impact the UAM ecosystem, discussion groups involving the main pillars for its development and a period of flight operations performed in November 2021 between Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood and RIOgaleão International airport that simulated the UAM ecosystem with a helicopter. The community was also able to participate in this simulation by purchasing affordable tickets through charter platform Flapper on one of the six daily flights conducted over the 30 day simulation period, operated by Helisul Aviacao. The data and information collected from this simulation will contribute to defining the characteristics and needs for the development of urban air mobility not only in Rio de Janeiro but also in other places, creating a UAM blueprint for any city.

The ConOps will be available on Eve's website for the entire community to better understand how the UAM ecosystem will enable a new means of affordable, safe and sustainable transportation. Eve hopes that this will encourage all those responsible for the ecosystem to evolve together so that the industry, regulatory agencies, civil and government entities, and the community, can continue investing in, developing and integrating this new mode of transportation.