The SAMVA project proudly announces the successful completion of a series of EH216-S electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft flights at first EGNOS-enhanced vertiport located within Lleida–Alguaire International Airport (ICAO: LEDA). This achievement showcases the significant progress in integrating EGNOS satellite-based operations into eVTOLs, enhancing Advanced Air Mobility services and U-Space airspace integration.
The EH216-S eVTOL flights, supported by the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), demonstrated precise and reliable navigation, crucial for the safe operation of pilotless eVTOL aircraft in Europe. EGNOS allows for accurate positioning, adding an extra layer of safety essential for advanced air mobility.
As Coordinator of the SAMVA project and CEO of Pildo Labs, Santiago Soley highlighted that "SAMVA represents a significant step forward in integrating satellite navigation into urban air mobility. These efforts ensure that we are at the forefront of advancing eVTOL technology and enhancing safety and efficiency in European airspace".
In addition, Jordi Candela, director of Aeroports de Catalunya, stated: "The successful EH216-S eVTOL flights mark a pivotal milestone in advancing urban air mobility in Europe, and we are proud to support the SAMVA project in showcasing the capabilities of EGNOS technology."
The SAMVA project, supported by the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), aims to increase the adoption of EGNOS technology within rotorcraft services. By focusing on implementing satellite-based operations, SAMVA is set to revolutionize urban air mobility. Here are the key objectives of the SAMVA project:
Enhancing Emergency Medical Services: Implementing the first Point-in-Space and Low-Level-Route operations in Spain to improve Helicopter Emergency Medical Services.
Deployment at Lleida-Alguaire Airport: Launching the first EGNOS services for eVTOL operations, demonstrating EGNOS's capability in supporting airspace integration and Air Traffic Management tasks
Advancing Safety-of-Life Services: Showcasing how current and future EGNOS services can support eVTOL integration in challenging operational environments by integrating data from onboard sensors.
Precision Navigation Capabilities: Enabling precise guidance and supporting airspace integration for autonomous eVTOL aircraft.
Validating Flight Procedures: Developing, testing, and validating a first flight procedure design criteria for autonomous eVTOL passenger aircraft based on EGNOS.
The SAMVA project continues to promote the adoption of EGNOS services for Urban Air Mobility through collaboration with key stakeholders across European cities and regions. Future objectives include evolving EGNOS services to provide higher accuracy integrity values in combination with the Galileo High Accuracy Service, further advancing the capabilities of autonomous eVTOL operations.
The SAMVA project is financed by EUSPA under the Acceleration of EGNOS Adoption in Transport program. EUSPA is the user-oriented operational European Union Agency for the Space Programme, including both EGNOS and Galileo European satellite navigation systems.
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