RESEARCH SEMINAR 2023": "DEVELOPEMENT OF AN OPERATING CONCEPT FOR AIR TAXIS IN SAXONY"

TASK

The task of the project team was the operational expansion of the air cab network provided for Dresden/Saxony. The team was provided with the relevant model data used in the network development (demand, distances, location data). On the one hand, this data served as a starting point for further operational considerations; on the other hand, further necessary data had to be analyzed on the basis of an intensive literature research on electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft (e.g. ranges, seat capacities, utilization factors) and on UAM in general in order to be able to carry out a scientifically sound evaluation of an operational further development of the network provided.
Both the research and the analysis were focussed on the following aspects:

• Researching existing concepts for UAM ConOps
• Research of current (lower) airspace structures and future tendencies to change the existing structure due to new participants in air traffic (e.g. drones, air cabs) (in particular with regard to geographical UAS areas in accordance with EU Regulation 2019/947 and other potential flight restriction areas)
• Research on approach and departure procedures, cruising altitudes and speeds of eVTOL and comparison with existing guidelines (e.g. CS-HPT-DSN and PTS-VPT-DSN) and regulations (e.g. LuftVO)
• Research and analysis of the entire flight planning process (stakeholders involved, forecast times, planning times) to determine the extent to which it can/must be adapted for air taxi operations

Organization

The research seminar will be supervised by Prof. Fricke, who holds the chair, as well as Mr. Brühl and Mr. Zeh. Dr. Bierwagen and Dr. Leemüller from Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) supported the practice. We want to take this opportunity to thank them once again for their commitment!

In addition to dealing with technical issues, the aim of the seminar is to train the necessary project management skills. For the students, independent project work with the facets of time management and milestone fulfilment, self-organisation and teamwork are also at the forefront of their work. The necessary project management activities must be monitored, controlled and, if necessary, delegated by the project management.

Disclaimer

The presented content appears within the context of student research projects. The TU Dresden excludes all warranties for scientific quality and accuracy of the results. Publication / transfer / usage of the drafts, either complete or in parts, requires the agreement of TU Dresden. Therefore, please contact the office of the chair.