Orlando might have a reputation as the “Happiest Place on Earth” due to its assortment of theme parks and attractions, but that feeling is unlikely reflected by the city’s commuters.
That could change, however, with the ground-breaking announcement that the Florida community is looking to establish advanced air mobility (AAM) services by 2027. “Our goal is to have policies and land-use regulations in place to allow the AAM industry to flourish,’’ Jacques Coulon, mobility manager for the city of Orlando, said in an article on AIN Online.
The city is among the first in the United States to develop infrastructure plans to support AAM. And it is sorely needed in Orlando.
Two Orlando traffic corridors are ranked among the worst in the nation. Interstate 4’s Westbound corridor is the most congested stretch in the United States, according to DriveSafe Online. Drivers lose an average of 31 minutes during peak hours. Not far behind – and no surprise to drivers in Connecticut, where Alpha Metalcraft Group is located – is Stamford, where travelers on I-95 lose 29 minutes northbound and 28 minutes southbound, according to the report.
Amid that congestion backdrop, Orlando is taking the lead in establishing AAM infrastructure.
Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Airport Authority, said the airport has a master plan that includes provisions for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air service. “AAM is a regional solution and has a big use case in Orlando,’’ Thibault said in the AIN article. “People flying into Orlando International Airport want to get into downtown, the Port Canaveral cruise port, and theme parks, and AAM can make that happen faster.”
AMG has been a fixture at trade shows in recent years and has been showcasing its products for the vertical flight industry. In March, AMG attended Verticon in Dallas. It will also attend the Paris Air Show in June.
With its capabilities in electroforming and deep drawing, AMG has extensive experience in manufacturing components for the eVTOL industry. AMG’s capabilities also include CNC machining, welding and more, and have more than 200 years of experience in supporting the global aerospace industry.
Among the critical components for eVTOLs manufactured by AMG are abrasion strips. Also called leading edge guards, the strips protect aircraft from erosion caused by water droplets and solid particles.
Abrasion strips last between 1,000 to 2,500 flight hours and are critical to the performance of aircraft. Blade erosion can cause serious efficiency loss and vibration effects from the helicopter.
Orlando is among the cities that are getting a jump on adding AAM infrastructure. The advantage of AAM, besides reduced congestion, is the potential to increase the efficiency of current transportation networks by reducing travel time. AAM services could also have societal benefits. Using aircraft such as drones and eVTOLS can enable more rapid patient transportation, faster delivery of medical supplies and organs and improve access to healthcare in remote or underserved regions.
Thibault said Orlando is committed to supporting AAM. “Developing a vertiport at Orlando International Airport is a key step in advancing our mission to be the global leader in the evolution of mobility,’’ Thibault said in an article published by IOT World. “The project directly supports the vision to drive innovation and position Central Florida and the state at the forefront of advanced air mobility.”
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