14.11.2022

Ground risks and landing site management are important for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and especially for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). This relates to both prepared landing sites as well as ad hoc ones.

How can the vast experience from medical helicopters (HEMS) contribute to broader knowledge for UAM operators? How can ground risks be managed in urban areas? How can the location of landing sites and their management support drones in the city? These are questions that the report answers.

A qualitative study was carried out, including interviews with five HEMS operators active in the AiRMOUR partner countries and seven other actors with responsibilities of relevance for HEMS, such as regional 112 dispatchers and National Aviation Authorities. Future UAM operators and other stakeholders working with ground risk management can and should learn from experiences in HEMS and EMS UAM performed today.

The immaturity of landing site management especially, demands broad cooperation at an early stage. Cities must consider UAM EMS in the spatial planning process, and UAM operators must organise themselves to provide a joint voice for the dialogue. All stakeholders are recommended to cooperate in examining HEMS experiences to transfer them into UAM needs and manage those needs.

Read the study here