NASA Reveals Challenges In Developing Air Taxi

Images of air taxis operating (photo: dock. NASA)

JAKARTA Air taxis, including cargo drones, are projected to increase significantly until 2044 in the US. However, this increase depends on the challenges the country faces.

Although air taxis can be efficient transportation, these vehicles will not develop if the US lacks pilots. In fact, many pilots chose early retirement due to the Covid-19 pandemic a few years ago and many airlines stopped pilots.

This makes the number of pilots decrease, even though pilots are needed to operate air taxis even though this aircraft is designed unmanned. Without a pilot, cargo operations through the air will be difficult to carry out so that this profession needs attention.

"A pilot has the potential to manage several aircraft remotely. This can help meet increasing demand for air cargo operations, reduce shortages and pilot costs, and increase the number of daily air cargo shipments," NASA said.

The space agency is also collaborating with the industry to identify further challenges in operating air taxis. The first challenge is developing a formidable communication technology so that vehicles are safe in the air.

Unlike aircraft in general, air taxis are controlled from control stations by pilots, not from the cockpit. Therefore, air taxis require the best automation system that can connect aircraft with pilots without any problems.

That way, command and control can be maintained. If communication experiences problems, this drone needs to control its system independently to avoid accidents. Therefore, autonomous systems need to be added.

"If command and control capabilities are lost, the autonomous system needs to take over to ensure drones can fly and land safely," NASA said. "Softlifting and adequate procedures must be available to manage losses."

The next challenge is how the industry can add an electronic detection and avoidance system into air taxis. These two are indispensable because the pilot is not in the cockpit and cannot see the closest plane from the window.

A detection system is needed to avoid nearby aircraft so accidents are minimal. Meanwhile, electronic avoidance is needed to detect air traffic at lower altitudes.