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NASA and Moog advance quiet flight technology in air taxi noise tests
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 11, 2023
Air transportation is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with air taxis poised to redefine urban and rural mobility. In a collaborative effort to realize this potential, NASA is partnering with industry leaders to tackle one of the most crucial aspects of this emerging technology: reducing aircraft noise. The focus is on ensuring that the skies remain as quiet as possible, particularly as air taxis and drones prepare for integration into both urban and rural landscapes.
Central to this endeavor is the development of vertiports – specialized airports for vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. NASA’s role involves providing vital tools to the industry, enabling companies to anticipate and mitigate noise during the design phase of their vehicles, long before they reach the certification stage with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In a notable step forward, NASA’s Glenn Research Center team conducted tests at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Ohio during the summer of 2023. The subject of these tests was an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) taxi designed by Moog, a well-known entity in the aerospace sector. This eVTOL was remotely piloted from a ground station, with NASA researchers meticulously gathering data during its departure, landing, and hovering at 60 feet.
This series of tests marks the second round of collaboration between NASA and Moog. The previous round in 2022 focused on acquiring noise data while the Moog vehicle hovered in a stationary position. The progression to more dynamic testing scenarios reflects the advancing stage of eVTOL technology and its readiness for more complex operational environments.
The data obtained from both rounds of testing are not just for NASA’s internal use. The agency aims to improve and validate noise prediction tools, which will be shared with U.S. industry stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that the design of quiet air taxis and drones benefits from the latest research and technological advancements.
This research initiative is part of NASA’s Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project, a component of the agency’s Advanced Air Vehicles Program. The RVLT project supports NASA’s broader Advanced Air Mobility Mission, which seeks to provide the industry with essential data guiding the development of electric air taxis and drones.
NASA’s engagement in this field is not isolated; it is part of a global push towards more sustainable and efficient urban air mobility solutions. The development of eVTOL vehicles promises a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient mode of transportation, potentially easing traffic congestion and reducing carbon emissions.
As NASA and its partners like Moog continue to pioneer these technologies, the future of air transportation looks increasingly different – and quieter. The integration of advanced air mobility solutions such as eVTOL taxis into daily life could be a reality sooner than many anticipate, thanks to these collaborative efforts in technology and noise reduction research.
Related Links
Glenn Research Center
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com
