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approach, Supernal is partnering We continue to target 2028 for adoption.
with organizations of all types operators to begin commercial
to develop and advance the service with Supernal vehicles. Q Developments in battery tech-
industry. Ensuring that Supernal We understand there is much nology will play a crucial role in
has the best partners in place work to be done before the world determining the success of the
is crucial for our progress and is ready for AAM operations and AAM industry. Do you think that
success. Established aerospace are committed to doing whatever adequate progress has been
suppliers like the ones you men- it takes to make this much- made in that regard?
tion help us minimize risk. needed mode of transportation a
reality. Developments in battery tech-
We recently hired Bill Chakos nology are crucial for the AAM
as head of supply chain and industry. While we’ve seen
procurement. He and his team Supernal is taking a thoughtful steady improvements in bat-
continue to work diligently and responsible approach to tery energy density, with annual
behind the scenes to estab- developing our technology and gains of 2% to 5% over the past
lish strategic partnerships with ecosystem, ensuring seamless decade, challenges remain.
entities that are committed to integration into communities Right now, battery energy den-
the highest safety standards and and existing transportation net- sity is sufficient for flight with a
long-term viability of AAM. works. The increasing demand usable payload. However, the
for urban transportation options main challenge is integrating
Q How important is it for reg- highlights how AAM can aug- these batteries with motors that
ulatory agencies to mandate ment and enhance current deliver the necessary power and
the strictest safety standards networks, providing passengers operate at rotor speeds quiet
for AAM? Do you think there is with a reliable and convenient enough to meet community
enough coordination between everyday transportation solution. noise standards. At Supernal,
various regulatory bodies to we are dedicated to optimizing
bring about uniformity in rules For AAM to truly take off, sev- these components to ensure our
for the sector? eral key factors need to be aircraft meet all performance
addressed. Continued advance- and regulatory requirements.
Delivering an AAM system that is ments in battery technology, air
as safe as commercial aviation traffic management systems Q The long-term success of
is fundamental to the industry’s and infrastructure development AAM is expected to depend
ability to succeed. Regulatory are essential, for example. on the development of infra-
agencies play a critical role Collaboration between public structure and new capabilities
in defining how to get there and private sectors will be cru- needed to support the opera-
and in maintaining commer- cial in establishing consistent tional ecosystem. Do you think
cial aviation’s enviable safety policies and standards across enough progress has been
track-record. For example, the regions. Public acceptance is made in that regard?
FAA is on track to meet its goal also vital, which can be fostered
of publishing the powered-lift through demonstrated safety, The long-term success of AAM
Special Federal Airworthiness reliability and the convenience of hinges on building the right infra-
Regulation (SFAR) by the end of AAM solutions. structure and support systems,
2024, including pilot training and such as vertiports, charging
certification, as well as opera- stations and air traffic manage-
tional rules. As an OEM, we prioritize “time ment systems. Although we’ve
to scale” over “time to market,” made strides in vehicle design
Q How long, in your opinion, leveraging Hyundai Motor and regulatory frameworks,
will it take for people to accept Group’s advanced processes there is still a lot of work ahead.
AAM as a viable alternative for and collaborating with aerospace Ongoing collaboration between
ground transport? Do you think leaders like GKN Aerospace to public and private sectors is vital
that congestion experienced in reduce production costs and to fully develop a sustainable,
major cities will act as a catalyst time, ensuring AAM is built to efficient and accessible AAM
for the success of AAM? the highest standards for broad ecosystem.
26 | MAY - JULY 2024 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA
