First Concept of Operations for Urban Air Mobility in Brazil published

On May 4th, a pioneering document was presented in Brazil, prepared by Eve, Embraer’s urban mobility company, together with the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). The Concept of Operations (CONOPS) presents an initial vision of the future Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market for Rio de Janeiro. The Department of Airspace Control (DECEA), EDP Brasil, Helisul, Skyports, Flapper, RIOgaleão, Universal Aviation, Brazilian Association of General Aviation (ABAG), as well as Beacon and Atech, companies of the Embraer Group, were also involved in the preparation of the publication.

CONOPS presents data and analysis covering the perspective, points of attention and operational needs of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) of the passenger journey and services and support. “This collaborative document is designed to better understand the characteristics and challenges facing this mode of transportation. It also brings information about the ecosystem that can not only be adapted, but also developed with solutions to ensure a safe and sustainable expansion,” explains Luiz Mauad, president of fleet services and operations at Eve.

At ANAC, the participation in the construction of the document encompassed five superintendence offices, which highlights the multiplicity of issues and themes involved in the conception of an exploration model for this segment. For ANAC’s head od Department of Airworthiness, Roberto Honorato, it was a multiple challenge. “The Agency needs to work in a cohesive way, pointing out the capillarity of the subject so that developers and the market can seek the best technological and security solutions to explore the potential of this new market,” he said. 

The CONOPS is available on Eve’s website (click on the link to access) with the objective of showing the perception of a UAM ecosystem, which will enable a new accessible, safe, and sustainable means of transportation. The design of the document included studies on aspects that impact the UAM ecosystem, focus groups involving the main pillars for its development, and a flight operations period held in November 2021 between Barra da Tijuca and RIOgaleão International Airport, simulating the ecosystem of an eVTOL operation using a helicopter. Passengers were also able to participate in this operation in one of the six daily flights performed over 30 days with tickets at affordable prices.

The data and information collected in this simulation will contribute to define the characteristics and needs for the development of urban air mobility not only in Rio de Janeiro, but also in other cities in Brazil and around the world. This vision aggregates and encourages all those responsible for this ecosystem to evolve together, bringing directions so that the industry, people, regulatory bodies, and civil and government entities are prepared to invest, develop, and integrate this new mode of transportation.