November 2022, 8 IN MYV EWScott WhiteIhate traffic. I think I can safely assume I am not alone on that point. On the morning I wrote this article I once again headed to the airport; currently a weekly activity and a journey that takes anywhere from 50 to 80 minutes, depending on the traffic. The uncertainty in timing, manoeuvring around drivers who feel the need to drive 10-20 km/h under the speed limit, and having to sudden brake for those that cut into your safety zone, all adds to the stress of the day. It's not that I don't have alternatives. I could catch the train. Greater certainty in schedule for sure, but will add at least another 30 minutes to the travel time. A taxi or ride share works too, but once again I will be in the same traffic and paying a lot more for the privilege. Only if there was transport that was, weighed against time, cost effective, avoided the traffic and gave me back valuable time? Well, that solution may be closer than we think, and it's called Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). As exciting as it sounds, will you be ready to embrace this emerging technology?For the last few months I've had the privilege of engaging with experts in this emerging technology; although it's really an emerging industry ecosystem, as I will explain. So what is AAM? Some colloquially refer to it as `remember The Jetsons' or `air taxis', both terms understating the complexity and nature, but most people can quickly visualise the concept of what one is referring to. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) refers to AAM as "emerging aviation technologies, such as electronic vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL) and other uncrewed or automated aircraft, to move people and cargo". It also recognises AAM as `emerging digital aviation', which is not surprising as not only will each part of the ecosystem be collecting, analysing and acting on data, but each part relies on the exchange of data and integration with each other part. So what are the parts of the ecosystem?Air vehicle: Perhaps the most prominent part of the ecosystem is the electric powered vehicle with multiple BY SCOTT WHITE, SENIOR MANAGER STRATEGY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AIRBUS IN AUSTRALIA PACIFICARE YOU READY TO EMBRACE EMERGING DIGITAL AVIATION?
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