Vertiflite May/June 2021

could provide with insights into vehicle performance and failure scenarios prior to actual test flights. STPA is a hazard analysis technique that goes beyond component failures and considers unsafe interactions of system components — even if not failed. Leveson discussed the advantages of STPA over traditional hazard/risk analysis techniques, particularly for very complex systems. She also detailed some specific applications and case studies to highlight the power of STPA. See the sidebar, “VFS eVTOL Councils Holding Regular Meetings,” for more information. VFS eVTOLWriters Group Interview: Real-Time Innovations (RTI) On March 24, VFS organized a group interview with RTI’s Chip Downing, who provided an overview of how RTI’s platform can facilitate development of autonomous platforms. Downing focused on utilizing industry safety standards — such as DO- 178C, then Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) and Data Distribution Service (DDS) — as a basis to reduce risk is the deployment of new autonomous systems. VFS Stratford Chapter: Joby Aviation Journey in Urban Air Mobility

VFS eVTOL Councils Holding Regular Meetings The explosive growth in eVTOL has led VFS members to formtwo collaborative councils to advance understanding. Both councils report to the VFS provisional Electric VTOL Technical Committee, led by Dr. Anubhav Datta. For more information, see “VFS Forms Councils on eVTOL Flight Testing and Hydrogen,” Vertiflite , March/April 2021 or contact Jim Sherman at jsherman@vtol.org to join. Featured speakers this year include: Electric VTOL Flight Test Council Speakers ■ Jan. 19: Austin Meyer, “How X-Plane Can Be Used for eVTOL Flight” ■ Feb. 9: Ross Schaller/David Sizoo, FAA, “Simulation for Certification Credit” ■ Feb. 23: Dr. Mark Tischler, “Simulation Update and Assessment for eVTOL Aircraft” H2eVTOL Speakers ■ Jan. 18: Charlie Myers, Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, “Hydrogen Supporting Light & Heavy Duty Vehicles” ■ Feb. 15: Paul Eremenko and JP Clarke, Universal Hydrogen, “Completing the Hydrogen Value Chain” ■ March 15: Brian Benicewicz, HyPoint, “Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Types and Applications”

The VFS Stratford Chapter held its first virtual quarterly meeting on March 24, featuring Dr. Maryam Khoshlahjeh from Joby Aviation. Khoshlahjeh highlighted Joby’s mission to “save a billion people an hour a day.” She presented some of the targets and results of the Joby S4 eVTOL vehicle, including zero operating emissions, range, speed and payload of up to four passengers and a pilot. Khoshlahjeh also highlighted the very low noise profile, showing that it achieves just 65 dBA in hover! With flight testing currently ongoing, the timeline for aircraft certification is still on schedule for 2023 and commercial launch in 2024. Unfortunately, VFS was not allowed to record the talk for future viewing. VFS Arizona/Redstone/Philadelphia Chapters: Unmanned Aerial Systems/Urban Air Mobility The Arizona, Redstone and Philadelphia Chapters collaborated to hold a monthly meeting on April 1, featuring Hector Garcia from Honeywell. This presentation highlighted some of the market drivers and technology needed to enable both UAS and UAM operational reality. eVTOL Financing 101: Raising $tartup Capital On April 8, VFS began a new virtual series dedicated to educating our members on the complexities of the capital markets, from seed investments to initial public offering (IPO) and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). The first lesson was led by Dana Jensen of Gemini, and featured Rafferty Jackson and Kirsten Bartok Touw. Jensen highlighted some of the activities of

the US Department of Defense (DoD) investments and programs to support eVTOL/advanced air mobility (AAM), including the US Air Force’s Agility Prime initiative. Jackson, a principal of Jack Industries, provided a high-level overview of each of the different types of funding available, including the timing of when each type would be most appropriate to pursue. Jensen, Jackson and Touw — co-founder/co-president of New Vista Acquisition Corp. with Dennis Muilenburg, former CEO of The Boeing Company — fielded as many questions from the audience as time allowed. VFS will continue this monthly series by exploring the different capital markets in greater detail for members, starting on May 6, leading up to a start-up pitch day for corporate members this summer. VFS has all of our available past video recordings linked on the VFSVideo Library page: www.vtol.org/videos .Those available to the public are also available on the VFS YouTube channel: www.YouTube.com/VTOLsociety .

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