There are more solutions than obstacles, Nicolas Zart
Understanding Downwash and Outwash for AAM Operations
The future of urban air mobility (UAM) relies on safe and efficient vertiport infrastructure. A critical aspect of this infrastructure is understanding and managing downwash and outwash, as explained by member David Ison in his insightful article, “VTOL Downwash and Outwash for Establishing Vertiport Safety Standards.” published on the The Collegiate Aviation Review International PDF.
Vertiport Infrastructure Design
At Electric Air Mobility, LLC, we focus on four key pillars of vertiport infrastructure design. One of these pillars is vertipad technology, which involves modernizing helipads to accommodate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The future of vertipads ranges from static to smart pads, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Downwash is an important aspect of the design and one that is wide-encompassing. It involves factors, such as vehicle, weather, localized geography, and much more.
Defining Downwash and Outwash
Downwash can be described as the change in air direction caused by the aerodynamic action of an airfoil, wing, or rotor blade, resulting in lift generation. It is also referred to as induced flow. On the other hand, outwash refers to the lateral movement of air away from the aircraft, influenced by the shape of the wings or rotors.
Safety Considerations
The impact of downwash and outwash on vertiport design cannot be overstated. These aerodynamic forces can affect nearby structures, ground personnel, and even other aircraft. Establishing safety standards and guidelines is crucial to ensure the safe operation of eVTOL aircraft at vertiports.
Complex Science
Downwash and outwash are complex phenomena, influenced by various factors such as vehicle design, weather conditions, and localized geography. As Ipson highlights in his article, understanding these forces is essential for determining safe distances between vertipads and defining operational procedures.
Next Steps
Nothing happens overnight in the aerospace industry. Traditionally, it takes a decade, $1B, and a thousand engineers to design a conventional aircraft. Despite heavy usage of simulations in AAM, until more real-world AAM data is available and regulations happen, eVTOL downwash and outwash will remain a high priority for vertiport designers. We rely on traditional helicopter regulations to base our designs until AAM regulations are finalized.
We hope you enjoy this in-depth article and welcome a good conversation around this topic here.
What if you could leave the blowy and noisy bit behind you at a distant enough landing site and continue your journey in the compartment you boarded at home? Needs to have wheels then… Not just any road vehicle, but a sleek, lightweight one that won’t get stuck in traffic that easily – it’s why people decided to take to the sky in the first place: escape traffic, shorten transit times… I just finished a followup to the presentation ‘Seamless 2D and 3D transit’ I gave to NASA Ames Research and the Vertical Flight Society. Perhaps of any interest…
I like where you’re going with this, Ralph. Back in 2007, I started a series based in n2075 where people would go from their bedroom to their office in a building and the office would detach itself and slide down to a skateboard to be whisked to a meeting. The integrated office module also had the choice of having a pair of wings with propellers for aerial mobility or a tub for waterways. Ultimately, I’m excited about the different routes many startups have taken. Next step, integration. I’m happy to continue this discussion and see what you think.