• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.144-160
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• 2022

Research on urban air mobility (UAM) is being actively conducted as a method of next-generation transportation. eVTOL, an airplane to be used for urban air mobility, is classified into a complex type, a tilt rotor type, a tilt wing type, a tilt duct fan type, and a multicopter type according to the propulsion method. In this study, conceptual design was performed for the next generation eVTOL of the new tilt rotor type in accordance with the existing design requirements. The aerodynamic analysis programs of OpenVSP and XFLR5 were used to perform aerodynamic analysis. The power required for each flight mission stage was calculated, the battery and motor were selected accordingly, and MTOW (Maximum Take-Off Weight) was predicted by estimating the weight of each component.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.300-308
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• 2024

Urban air mobility (UAM) is emerging as a revolutionary transportation solution to urban congestion and environmental issues. Especially, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to enhance urban mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and decrease environmental pollution. However, the successful implementation and operation of UAM systems heavily rely on advanced technological infrastructure, particularly in sensor technology. Among these, 3D light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems are essential for detecting obstacles and generating pathways in complex urban environments. This paper focuses on the challenges of developing LiDAR-based perception solutions, emphasizing the importance and performance of object detection capabilities using 3D LiDAR. It integrates LiDAR data processing algorithms and object detection methodologies to experimentally validate the effectiveness of perception solutions that contribute to the safe navigation of aircraft. This research significantly enhances the ability of aircraft to recognize and avoid obstacles effectively within urban settings.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2024

UAM is emerging due to the deepening population concentration in the metropolitan area and the problem of congested ground transportation in urban areas. Accordingly, along with research on eVTOL aircraft for UAM services, interest in vertiport, the interest in vertiports, the infrastructure that allows eVTOLs to take off and land, is also increasing. However, behind the concentration of population in the metropolitan area, aphenomenon of local extinction is occurring in conjunction with the aging population. AAM, which moves quickly through 3D space, can be an effective SOC facility in times of local extinction crisis. In this paper, we introduce a design plan from the perspective of a complex transper center for a regional hub-level vertiport that can connect with local high-speed rail and utilize local airports in compliance with the vertiport design guidelines issued by FAA(Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA(European union Aviation Safety Agency). We would like to present Vertiport's future operation plan.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.74-81
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• 2021

UAM(Urban Air Mobility) systems have evolved in the form of helicopters in the 1960~1970s, tiltrotors in the 1980s, small aircraft transportation systems in the 2000s, and electric-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) in the 2010s; accordingly, the early heliport has evolved to its current form of a Vertiport. Vertical Takeoff and Landing Sites, Vertiports, are important factors for the successful introduction of UAM, along with the resolution of air traffic control (ATC), air security, and noise problems. However, there are no domestic or international installation standards and guidelines yet. Therefore, in this study, installation standards were prepared by referring to domestic and international case studies, ICAO standards, and MIT research papers. The study proposes to establish standards for Final Approach and Takeoff Area (FATO) as 1.5D, 1D for Touchdown and Lift-Off Area (TLOF), and 1.5D for Safety Area (SA). It also proposes to add "UAM Vertiport Installation Standards" to the 「Act on the Promotion and Foundation of Drone Utilization, Drone Act」.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

Recently, the development of UAM, which was named by NASA as an alternative to solve the traffic and environmental problems caused by the rapidly progressing urbanization. When designing UAM, the location of lift fans greatly affects the core technology of the eVTOL type, distributed electric propulsion technology and aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. In this paper, a hybrid UAM model was designed using OpenVSP, an open source aircraft configuration modeling program, and aerodynamic analysis was performed according to the lift fans position change by the vortex lattice method. As a result, it is confirmed that the flight parameters and trailing wakes are stable by fixing the lift fan with the state rotated 0° to the flow direction of the aircraft during cruise flight. Also, OpenVSP is a suitable tool to be used in aircraft configuration modeling and design.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.599-608
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• 2022

Urban air mobility (UAM) equipped with rotor system is subject to ground effect at vertiport during takeoff and landing. The aerodynamic performance of the aircraft in ground effect should be analyzed for the safe operation. In this study, The ground effects on the aerodynamic performance and wake structure of the quadcopter electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) configuration equipped with coaxial counter-rotating propellers were investigated by using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The influence of the ground effect was observed differently in the upper and lower propellers of the coaxial counter-rotating propeller system. There was no significant change in the aerodynamic performance of the upper propeller even if the propeller height above the ground was changed, whereas the averaged thrust and torque of the lower propeller increased significantly as propeller height decreased. In addition, the amplitude of the thrust fluctuation tended to increase as the propeller height decreased. The propeller wake was not sufficiently propagated downstream and was diffused along the ground due to the outwash flow developed by the ground effect. The impingement of the rotor wakes on the ground and a fountain vortex structure were observed.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.329-342
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• 2020

In this paper, we analyzed the requirements for the application of UAM, a new concept to solve the traffic congestion in large cities. First, the current domestic and foreign status of research and development related to UAM was investigated and the pros and cons and the time required for each mission radius were analyzed for various configurations of aircraft being commercialized. In addition, in order to analyze the market acceptance of the UAM, the individual's consciousness and reliability requirements were identified and safety requirements were analyzed through accident rate data for each aircraft type. Because it operates in a densely populated urban area, requirement analyses on noise and exhaust, which are environmental factors that can affect the community were performed, and requirements related to aircraft performance, certification standards, and airworthiness standards of FAA and EASA were also analyzed.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.491-499
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• 2020

There are policies that foster the drone industry, which either put a legal precedent on drones through the "Drone Act" or grant a delay or exemption in applying the safety measures of "the Aviation Safety Act". Yet, the definition of a drone is unclear, requiring further discussion on commercial usage. Therefore, we have studied cases domestically and abroad, and also analyzed issues with the current aviation legislation. It was found that a drone is defined as "an unmanned aircraft where a pilot is not on board, and its net weight is 150 kg or less". However, there are several issues, such as that a drone taxi requires a pilot on board, and its weight is 150 kg or more. Thus, we propose to define a drone as "an unmanned aerial vehicle (provided, that its own net weight should be 300 kg or under, or not be limited to weight) under Article 2 (3) of the "Aviation Security Act" as prescribed by Ordinance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, which operates either by remote, automatically, or autonomously; or an unmanned aircraft under Article 2 (6) of the "Aviation Security Act".

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.132-140
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• 2020

The development status was studied to predict the concept of how drone taxis would be presented in daily life. the results of the analysis on traffic effects of drone taxis showed that they would be an innovative transportation option that could reach a distance of 60km, which would typically take an hour by car, within twenty minutes. Moreover, the economic analysis of existing aircraft development was limited to production (development investment) of the input budget. However, since the drone taxi is a new transportation system, an overall traffic platform, such as its own terminals, would need to be established. So, the production inducement effect was analyzed by dividing input budget into three factors; production, infrastructure, and service. The results indicate this to be an innovative project expected to have an economic ripple effect and reach a total of 24 trillion won after an investment of 13 trillion won (production + infrastructure + service) in Korea from 2020 to 2040.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2024

This paper examines the unique transportation challenges posed by Nepal's diverse and rugged terrain, which significantly hampers socio-economic development due to its negative impact on infrastructure, trade, and accessibility. Despite ongoing efforts to enhance road and traditional air transport systems, Nepal's geographic and environmental conditions continue to obstruct efficient connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas. This study proposes Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as a transformative solution, leveraging recent technological advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of Nepal's current transportation infrastructure and the feasibility of AAM implementation, the paper highlights the potential benefits of AAM, including improved accessibility, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it addresses the anticipated challenges and regulatory considerations necessary for integrating AAM into Nepal's transportation network. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this research aims to contribute to the discourse on overcoming transportation barriers in mountainous regions, offering policy recommendations and identifying areas for future study to facilitate the adoption of AAM in Nepal and similar contexts worldwide.