Canada launches advanced air mobility consortium

Looking to “accelerate the implementation of electric- and hydrogen-powered, vertical take-off flight in Canada,” the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium (CAAM) announced its official launch on Oct. 28. The Vancouver-based organization says it is aiming to streamline advanced air mobility (AAM) (which also goes by urban air mobility, or UAM) research, development and commercial operations by meeting objectives such as creating an AAM innovation hub and expanding the AAM sector’s connections with regulators, manufacturers, aviation operators and other stakeholders.

CAAM was created by Canadian Air Mobility and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada). “We’ve established an outstanding group of strategic members to support the design, integration and implementation of AAM in Canada,” says CAAM executive director JR Hammond. “We look forward to demonstrating the economic viability, environmental benefits and social inclusivity factors of this technology and making Canada a world leader in AAM.” According to CAAM, benefits offered by AAM aircraft include greater maneuverability, less need for ground infrastructure, less aircraft noise, reduced fossil fuel consumption, lower costs, shorter travel times and improved safety.

Among CAAM’s more than 20 members are Vancouver-based TransLink and Helijet International, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia, Bell Textron (Mirabel, Quebec), and Iskwew Air (Richmond, Canada).

Bell Textron, for example, is testing the APT 70 which consists of a payload pod attached via pylons to two wings, each fitted with four or eight propellers powered by electric motors. The intention is that both pods and batteries can be quickly changed out between missions. The APT 70 is intended to carry up to 31 kilograms over 56 kilometers, or, with extra batteries fitted, up to 16 kilograms over 80 kilometers. Without a payload, it will fly up to 104 kilometers. On Nov. 18, 2019, Bell announced that it had achieved a 27-kilogram payload during flight testing and would soon attempt to carry the full 31-kilogram payload. On Jan. 16, 2020, the APT 70 prototype made its first beyond visual line of sight flight.