About advanced air mobility

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an emerging sector of air transportation that uses new types of aircraft technologies to improve services for people. Drones and electric powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts are examples of advanced air mobility technologies.

Drones

Drones, also known as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), are aircrafts that do not have a pilot onboard.

Drones are regulated by Transport Canada, which includes the rules of operations, aircraft registration and pilot certification requirements.

eVTOLs

An electric powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is an aircraft that is similar to a helicopter and does not need a runway to take off and land. eVTOLs can be hydrogen-powered or electric-powered. Compared to traditional aircrafts, they have the potential to provide more affordable, efficient and cleaner transportation services in urban, suburban, rural and remote communities.

Potential uses

Advanced air mobility can be used in a number of innovative ways in Ontario:

  • Faster shipping: lighter-weight and urgent deliveries such as medication or organs could be done quickly by air to avoid traffic delays or reach remote communities more easily. In the future, common goods like groceries and parcels could be shipped by air.
  • Better connections: eVTOLs could provide easier access to remote communities and bring rooftop service to hospitals or businesses. Drones can be used to move goods, especially in areas with limited access to other modes of transportation. In the future, drones may be used to move passengers.
  • Improving safety: Drones can investigate forest fires and get a quicker assessment of inaccessible places such as collision sites on highways. Using drones can avoid endangering people, allows for emergency responders to act more quickly and is an easier way to collect vital information.
  • Scanning infrastructure projects: Drones can help with functions such as inspecting bridges for structural issues, mapping highway corridors and monitoring the progress of construction projects.

Impact of advanced air mobility

Ontario is exploring the use of advanced air mobility and the potential impacts. We are examining:

  • Environmental impacts: Many advanced air mobility technologies are powered by electric or hydrogen fuel and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are also considering how factors like noise and visibility could impact our communities.
  • Economic impacts: Advanced air mobility technologies could create new business opportunities in Ontario by increasing access to new markets, changing local design and development, and lowering transportation costs.
  • Social impacts: Advanced air mobility services could increase access to remote communities and provide supplies, medicine and emergency services at a lower cost than traditional air services.