A system-theoretic approach to assess territory readiness for safe advanced air mobility operations

The evolution of disruptive technologies, such as Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), is reshaping civil aviation operations. As AAM and VTOL bring innovations, the European Union (EU) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) must adapt to these developments to ensure continued aviation safety. Integrating VTOL vehicles into air and ground infrastructure (e.g., airports and vertiports) presents new safety and regulations challenges, as these new systems must safely fit into an already complex environment. The implementation of VTOL and AAM into European civil aviation would benefit from the adoption of holistic systemic approaches to managing both primary and emergent risks, which could be reflected in updated regulations and guidance manuals for relevant approvals to operate these disruptive aviation technologies. To this end, this study proposes a methodology leveraging System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) as a baseline to assess territories readiness for VTOL operations through an application of the Air Taxi Readiness Index (ATRI). This methodology helps derive further regulatory specifications and guidelines that must be complied with to ensure safe operations. For demonstration purposes, the methodology is applied to two anonymized European sites to evaluate their preparedness for VTOL operations. The results indicate the readiest site for accommodating safe vertiport operations, highlights specific weaknesses that can be addressed by implementing appropriately defined safety constraints and requirements. The methodology is designed to support both policymakers and operators in decision-making processes regarding design, localization, and operation of vertiports, ensuring safe and efficient integration of VTOL solutions.