Avionics News October 2021 - 54

GROUND INFRASTRUCTURE &
BEST PRACTICES
Continued from page 53
structure improvement plans. Nineteen
electric aircraft and related infrastructure
organizations recently requested Congress
include electric aircraft charging
capabilities in a major infrastructure bill.
Passenger handling
Passenger handling is another area
calling for industry best practices or
standards. If passenger demand models
imagined by eVTOL manufacturers
and AAM operators come to fruition,
clear procedures will be necessary
to ensure passenger safety, given the
potential for other aircraft landing or
taking off, fast-moving propellers, and
high voltage scenarios.
As with most risks, risks related to
passenger handling will be mitigated
through a combination of technology
and best practices. Most OEMs
are building features into the aircraft
to help keep passengers safe while
boarding and disembarking. Ground
handling experts, including Signature
Flight Support representatives, are
working with OEMs and operators to
develop industry best practices to keep
passengers safe.
Line service training
and equipment
While many standard line service
procedures, such as marshalling signals,
will be applicable to eVTOL aircraft,
some new procedures will need to be
developed and line service personnel
trained on those procedures.
Some aircraft will be recharged
frequently - possibly after every flight.
Other manufacturers are planning to do
battery swaps. Charging will likely be a
line service function, supervised by the
pilot in command or conducted by specially-trained
personnel. Battery swaps
might be considered maintenance
functions, requiring technicians to work
hand in hand with more traditional line
service personnel.
Likewise, towing and other ground
service equipment currently employed
might not be applicable to all eVTOL
aircraft. Some aircraft will be towable
with tow vehicles and towbars like
traditional airplanes, while others will
need dollies or ground handling wheels.
Deicing procedures will likely vary
from one aircraft type to another, and
equipment will need to meet these
specific needs.
Firefighting and prevention
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for AAM/UAM operations will likely
need to comply with fire protection
standards developed by the National
Fire Protection Association; local,
state or national building codes; and
requirements from local fire authorities.
Where those codes are not sufficient or
applicable, facility sponsors will need
to work with their authorities having
jurisdiction on special codes until a
national standard is adopted.
Aircraft rescue and firefighting,
commonly known as ARFF, is another
area requiring special attention. eVTOL
aircraft not only present a different type
of fire but also present high voltage hazards.
First responders will need special
training and procedures to properly respond
to an eVTOL accident or incident.
The NFPA publishes an electric vehicle
handbook with information on each
electric car built. A number of eVTOL
manufacturers have signaled their intent
to be included in future revisions.
Further, more and more first
responders are receiving specialized
training due to the increasing proliferation
of electric and hybrid ground
vehicles, which could be transferable to
eVTOL accidents or incidents. q
54 avionics news * october 2021
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Avionics News October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News October 2021
