Future of Flight lifts off in London | eVTOL

From predicting and defining eVTOL use cases and aligning legislative requirements, to infrastructure and operational considerations, representatives from across the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem gathered at the RAeS’s London headquarters to discuss the challenges of this unique aerospace sector. CHARLOTTE BAILEY reports on some of the highlights from the Future of Flight Summit, held on 20-22 September.

RAeS President 2023-24, Kerissa Khan opens the Summit. (Tim Robinson/RAeS)

Opening the annual Royal Aeronautical Society President’s Summit, this year themed around the Future of Flight, President Kerissa Khan, welcomed a “generation of innovators” gathered for the sold-out two-day conference. Addressing the diverse range of delegates and speakers including start-ups, legacy OEMS, investors, innovators and other stakeholders responsible for “catalysing an entire aviation ecosystem,” she noted: “We cannot imagine a world without these industries, nor would we want to”.

A packed programme of speakers was on hand to offer expertise and insight, both through individual presentations and panel discussions. As pointed out by the President in her opening address, it was especially apt to welcome an opening trio of female speakers to the stage. Equally poignant at the cusp of this ‘third aviation revolution’ was the presence of Ian Whittle among the audience, whose pioneering father – inventor of the jet engine Sir Frank Whittle – played a significant role in aviation’s last seismic shift.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Prof Dame Helen Atkinson provided a top-level overview of the opportunities to create a new air mobility sector. (Tim Robinson/RAeS)

Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor of the School of Aerospace, Transport Systems and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, echoed the optimism of the opening address; highlighting the Advanced Air Mobility sector as “on the…

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