A group of transportation companies, research institutes and governments have come together to launch the Canadian Advanced Air Mobility Consortium in Vancouver.
The organization has been established to streamline development and commercial operations in what’s being called the advanced air mobility sector, which uses zero-emission, electric or hydrogen fuel cells, and vertical-takeoff aircraft to provide transportation, emergency and supply chain services.
“We’ve established an outstanding group of strategic members to support the design, integration, and implementation of advanced air mobility in Canada,” said consortium executive director J.R. 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.”
The group contends this kind of transportation is the future and will mean faster and broader medevac services, including transportation of medical supplies, blood, donor organs, or patients to and from hospitals.
It may also be used to increase connectivity with remote communities, more transportation options between urban and rural areas, and improve the emergency response and assessment of natural disasters like wildfires.
Because this kind of transport uses small, electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, the consortium believes the benefits include increased aircraft maneuverability, reduced aircraft noise, less need for ground infrastructure, reduced fossil fuel consumption, lower costs and shorter travel times.
The consortium, founded by Canadian Air Mobility and the National Research Council has 20 partners, including the University of Victoria, Ministry of Transportation, Helijet, TransLink, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Bell Textron, UBC and the City of Vancouver.
The consortium intends to establish an advanced air mobility hub in Vancouver to help businesses develop technology and eventually commercialize.
