We talk a lot about integrating drones and AAM into our airspace, but honestly, the bigger challenge isn’t just in the sky, it’s on the ground.
Yes, low-altitude corridors are being studied and discussed, and technically, it's doable. But if we don’t start planning from a city and urban infrastructure level, these technologies will stay stuck in pilot mode. No amount of airspace modeling will matter if we don’t have the right places for these aircraft to safely land, charge, or serve people in a meaningful way.
This isn’t just about solving today's logistics. It’s about asking:
- Where do these aircraft actually make sense in a city?
- What locations are safe, accessible, and actually improve life for people nearby?
- How do we future-proof those choices for the next 30 to 50 years?
There are some strong players tackling airspace and UTM, but the real value, in my opinion, comes when we combine that with urban and city planning, in a way that's collaborative, transparent, and city-focused.
Without that, we’re going to see a lot of impressive demos that never move into real-world operations.
Really valuable insight! this made me realize how critical urban integration is for AAM. Without it, airborne solutions won’t have real impact on the ground. A city-first approach is definitely key.