The traffic management constructs forming around small drones and future urban air mobility vehicles are coming into clearer focus, but they reside at slightly different stages of development that point to distinct but interwoven layers of airspace.

In the ever-growing lexicon of aviation acronyms, constructs for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM) and urban air mobility (UAM)—which is now commonly wrapped into the broader definition of advanced air mobility (AAM)—share common attributes. Both rely on the digitalization of processes and platforms, data sharing and automated flight planning and execution.

Accessexclusive subscriber-only coverage as the FAA envisions integrated but distinct airspace layers.

Plus every subscriber has access to our eBook library, featuring updates in supersonics, manned and unmanned innovation in aviation, the renaissance of high-speed air travel, the legends behind the world's first wide-body jet, emerging technologies making their way into the MRO market, technological developments for new satellites & the next generation of space start-ups and the most pressing issues facing military pilots today.

Subscribe today and receive all of this plus exclusive online access at aviationweek.com