Abstract: A monitoring system for an aircraft has sensors configured to sense objects around the aircraft and provide data indicative of the sensed objects. A sense and avoid system is designed in a plurality of software layers, each layer functioning in an independent manner. An evasion software layer is made up of fixed, non-modifiable code that meets an applicable regulatory standard. The remainder of the software layers may be made up of modifiable or non-modifiable code configured so as not to adversely impact the functioning of an evasion software layer, even when modified. Each of the software layers of the sense and avoid system may use information from the sensors and information about the aircraft to generate a recommendation which is ultimately used to determine a possible route that the aircraft can follow to avoid colliding with the sensed object. The aircraft may then be controlled, in accordance with the recommendation, to avoid collision with the object.

Abstract: A platform for unmanned traffic management (UTM) may include a compute system and infrastructure that standardizes and controls aviation data transmitted between service providers, where each service is abstracted from the platform through a service wrapper that enforces the preset data standards. The service wrappers enforce restrictions on the performance and configuration of data from the service provider. The service wrappers are customized to respective services (such as tracking, terrain, or weather), but provide a standard point of interface, security, and trust between the platform and any services directed to provide a similar function. Upon the request of a user or service providers to obtain aviation data, the UTM platform selects a service providing that aviation data, and provides connection data to the user while protecting the security and integrity of the data.

Abstract: Data associated with a flight, including a flight plan, a vehicle, and/or a pilot is processed via a risk assessment platform to obtain one of more numerical risk values, for example a ground risk value and an air risk value. Based on the processed data, a matrix of risk assessment decisions is generated containing risk related information (such as risk remediation information). Accordingly, based on a consistent set of risk relation information, a predictable and repeatable flight decision (such as a decision whether to fly, or an adjustment to a flight route) can be made. In some instances, the data to be processed is quantitative data collected from one or more third party systems, such as sensor data or geospatial data. The risk assessment platform includes toolkits or services to be used in the processing and transformation of this data to reach a risk assessment decision.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to self-piloted, electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that are safe, low-noise, and cost-effective to operate for cargo-carrying and passenger-carrying applications over relatively long ranges. A VTOL aircraft has a tandem-wing configuration with one or more propellers mounted on each wing to provide propeller redundancy, allowing sufficient propulsion and control to be maintained in the event of a failure of any of the propellers or other flight control devices. The arrangement also allows the propellers to be electrically-powered, yet capable of providing sufficient thrust with a relatively low blade speed, which helps to reduce noise. In addition, each wing is designed to tilt, thereby rotating the propellers, as the aircraft transitions between forward flight and hover flight. While in the hover flight, the propellers may be offset from vertical so that horizontal thrust components of the propellers may be used to provide efficient yaw control.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to self-piloted, electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that are safe, low-noise, and cost-effective to operate for cargo-carrying and passenger-carrying applications over relatively long ranges. A VTOL aircraft has a tandem-wing configuration with one or more propellers mounted on each wing to provide propeller redundancy, allowing sufficient propulsion and control to be maintained in the event of a failure of any of the propellers or other flight control devices. The arrangement also allows the propellers to be electrically-powered, yet capable of providing sufficient thrust with a relatively low blade speed, which helps to reduce noise. In addition, the aircraft is aerodynamically designed for efficient flight dynamics with redundant controls for yaw, pitch, and roll.