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In March, NASA engineers began collecting data from an experimental air taxi using a network of ground sensors. This taxi investigated the interpretation of airplanes flying above cities in various weather situations. The researchers will utilize this campaign to promote collision avoidance, landing operations, and air taxi services in all weather conditions.
About Joby Aircraft and Operations
NASA has seen throughout the years how terrain-shaped wind might affect newly developed aircraft. However, in its most recent test, the Joby Aviation demonstrator aircraft will create wind from the aircraft itself.
Joby aircraft gathered air flow data by launching its air taxi prototype and flying over NASA's ground sensory array, which is located near the agency's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The Joby aircraft is equipped with six rotors, which allow for vertical takeoffs and landings as well as tilt to provide lift in flight. The researchers next concentrated on the air created by the propellers, which moved in a circular manner, similar to a turbulent flow.
Result of the first array
Rolling wind can have an influence on aircraft performance, especially when the aircraft is near to the ground. Not only will the aircraft be affected, but so will those flying nearby and on the ground. To monitor such complicated wind turbulence, NASA improved its sensors and added a new lidar.
According to Grady Koch, Lead for this project at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, "the design of this new aircraft, paired with the NASA lidar technology during this study, warrants a better understanding of possible wind and turbulence effects that can influence safe and efficient flight".
Second Array for Improved Aircraft Tracking
NASA has also built up another array, which contains radar, cameras, and microphones, to collect better data about airplanes. For several months, these nodes will collect data during normal flights.
Furthermore, the agency will use the data from the ground nodes to increase the effectiveness of its distributed sensing technology, and additional sensors will be deployed in the region where planes fly.
What does the future hold?
This system will improve air operations by allowing for effective tracking of aircraft near traffic corridors and landing zones. Distributed sensing has the potential to include air traffic management, ground-based landing sensors, and more.
This experimental air taxi, known as the Joby aircraft, will assist NASA in developing critical technologies that will transform air travel operations in high-traffic locations. Air taxi and drone firms will gain from the use of this innovative technology.
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