NATA brings eVTOL to Choctaw Nation—likely immediate projects
NATA has announced that it has formed a partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) to mature-
“AAM/UAM EDUCATION and adoption with the EXCHANGE OF EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION through committee engagement and collaboration on business, outreach, and event opportunities. This strategic partnership is invaluable in the development of a complex transportation system using innovative aircraft, technologies, infrastructure, and operations to move people and cargo between local, regional, intraregional, and urban locations not previously served or underserved by aviation.”
The first reading creates a positive reaction.
NATA is the leading national trade association representing the business interests of 2,700 general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters and providing education, services, and benefits to its members. The PR statement states that CNO-NATA cooperative effort is intended “to empower their safety and long-term economic success. working with a large Native American population to, among other things, “CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH NEW AIR SERVICES.”
The initial expectations grow after reading the qualifications of James Grimsley1, CNO Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives who is the interlocutor between NATA and his fellow Choctaws; his pre-existing experience and expertise is impressive.
Going beneath the superficial terms of this proposal announcement, some massive challenges to its value proposition must be examined:
EVTOL holds great promise and more than a modicum of risk (NASA paper)-
- Technology development is, at best, in the nascent stages.
- What the successful model, in terms of energy sources, propulsion, infrastructure, environmental compliance, public acceptance, and local/state/federal/international regulation and combination of eVTOL utilizations in the Choctaw Nation, is not yet defined with a wide range of untested venture plans being proffered?
- What operational model will be financially and economically viable:
a. Short haul, dense markets?
b.Elastic customer demand willing to pay for premium rates before economies of scale in production and passenger needs/package delivery reach mature levels?
c. Can ATM safely control these almost random flights?
d. The enormous risk of an early crash squelching investment and ridership
e. eVTOLs’ profitability increases significantly, if/when they operate autonomously; opposition to pilotless flight has already been voiced
f. A host of unknowns—e.g.,
g. federal preemption –creates uniform rules? Stifles innovation? Engenders local political firestorms of opposition?
I. The need for avigation easements?
i. Efforts to block or control eVTOLs through zoning, taxing, compulsory use of designated vertiports???
j.Speed of creating infrastructure, particularly energy sources?
A very comprehensive review of the eVTOL future is linked HERE.
The Choctaw Nation may well be a tremendous source of technical talent to develop, manufacture and sell eVTOLs. Its unique tax powers could make this territory attractive to manufacturers. The government has an established adult labor skill training program that could provide a work force qualified for various manufacturing positions from Nation schools.
The lands that compose the Choctaw Nation may not hold a level of optimism–
In 2018, the Choctaw Nation’s economic impact in Oklahoma was over $2.75 billion. The Tribe employs over 10,000 people and operates several businesses, including three casino resorts and multiple casinos, travel plazas and restaurants. In addition, the Nation owns and operates health, manufacturing, and recycling facilities.
The region’s topography includes mountains, rivers, lakes, and woodlands. Fishing, hunting, and camping are popular activities, especially in the eastern part of the reservation.
The Choctaw Nation spans 11 counties in Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation has a total of 223,279 registered members, 84,670 of whom live in Oklahoma. The Tribal area tracked by the U.S. Census has a population of approximately 231,000. The population of that area is 21 percent Indian and 79 percent non-Indian.
The Choctaw Nation’s annual tribal economic impact in 2010 was over $822,280,105. The tribe employs nearly 8,500 people worldwide;2,000 of those work in Bryan County, Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation is also the largest single employer in Durant. The nation’s payroll is about $260 million per year, with total revenues from tribal businesses and governmental entities topping $1 billion.
The nation has contributed to raising Bryan County’s per capita income to about $24,000. The Choctaw Nation has helped build water systems and towers, roads and other infrastructure, and has contributed to additional fire stations, EMS units and law enforcement needs that have accompanied economic growth.
The Choctaw Nation operates several types of businesses. It has seven casinos, 14 tribal smoke shops, 13 truck stops, and two Chili’s franchises in Atoka and Poteau.[3] It also owns a printing operation, a corporate drug testing service, hospice care, a metal fabrication and manufacturing business, a document backup and archiving business, and a management services company that provides staffing at military bases, embassies and other sites, among other enterprises.
One clear and immediate eVTOL benefit that NATA may expedite a valuable needed service to Choctaw Nation is explained in this excerpt:
Using eVTOL Aircraft
Lower capital costs and lower predicted operating costs for eVTOL aircraft could present new opportunities for the use of air vehicles in short-range operations in the Medevac sector. There are three basic concepts of operation:
a) First Responder First responder missions may be possible in intra-city environments where traffic congestion and response within the “golden hour”—the first hour of critical care following an accident/incident.
b) Air Ambulance (Emergency) For medium range operations, eVTOLs may replace helicopters if they are capable of achieving similar range and endurance with comparable payloads. The carriage of specialist medical equipment to support the required missions is essential.
c) Air Ambulance (Nonemergency) For longer range operations and transportation of non-critical-care patients, eVTOLs are unlikely to be able to compete with fixed-wing air ambulances in the short/medium term. Helicopters are also rarely used for this mode.
More on eVTOL use in EMS missions.
Manufacturing, repair, maintenance, training of pilots & AMTs, sales and a number of similar support activities would appear to be the most immediate products of the CNO-NATA partnership. Commercial operations do not hold much near-term promise within the Nation; however, eVTOL EMS flights should rank as early applications of this initiative. Right James Grimsley?
NATA and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Form Partnership to Advance AAM/UAM Implementation
Washington, DC, September 28, 2023 – NATA (National Air Transportation Association) and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) announced a partnership providing the structure for the further development of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)/Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem.
NATA and CNO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at maturing AAM/UAM EDUCATION and adoption with the EXCHANGE OF EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION through committee engagement and collaboration on business, outreach, and event opportunities. This strategic partnership is invaluable in the development of a complex transportation system using innovative aircraft, technologies, infrastructure, and operations to move people and cargo between local, regional, intraregional, and urban locations not previously served or underserved by aviation.
“The future of AAM/UAM is now. NATA members from across all functional areas, including AAM, part 135, FBOs, airports, and MROs, will more quickly gain the guidance needed to support, maintain, and operate the next generation of aircraft through this collaboration. As safety advancements and education are critical to both NATA’s mission and the safe, successful implementation of eVTOL technology, a partnership between NATA and CNO was a natural fit in fostering these pillars across all stages of AAM/UAM development,” stated NATA President and CEO2 Curt Castagna. [ LINKEDIN PAGE which lists him as airport developer?]
In 2022, NATA formed its AAM Committee3 to ensure a unified approach to modernization of both the industry’s infrastructure and operational framework. NATA believes communication, collaboration, and cooperation between government partners and all aviation sector stakeholders will be key to creating a healthy and vibrant AAM ecosystem. NATA sees a natural nexus between existing part 135 operators, general aviation airports, FBO infrastructure, and AAM innovation. Urban and rural general aviation airports offer ideal spaces to introduce electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, and NATA members are being proactive in preparing to support, maintain, and operate this next generation of aircraft.
James Grimsley4, CNO Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives, will kick off NATA’s November Aviation Business Conference in Long Beach, California, discussing the benefits of UAS and AAM technologies to rural locales, international markets, and the national economy, as well as how the CNO is helping to advance this sector.
“The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma looks forward to the many positive societal benefits that will be available as a result of emerging aviation technologies,” said Grimsley. “The relationship with NATA further illustrates CNO’s commitment to being a leader in this exciting growth area.”
The Choctaw Nation—the third largest Indian Nation in the United States, with more than 200,000 tribal members—has been very involved in the development of emerging aviation technologies, including UAS and AAM. CNO was the first Native American Tribal Government to receive a Public Aircraft Operations Certificate of Authorization from the FAA and is home to one of eight FAA UAS BEYOND sites selected by the DoT. As part of the FAA UAS BEYOND program, CNO has worked closely with the FAA and other agencies to more fully incorporate UAS into the National Airspace System and help deliver the clear safety benefits and operational efficiencies it promises.
NATA brings eVTOL to Choctaw Nation—likely immediate projects
NATA has announced that it has formed a partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) to mature-
“AAM/UAM EDUCATION and adoption with the EXCHANGE OF EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION through committee engagement and collaboration on business, outreach, and event opportunities. This strategic partnership is invaluable in the development of a complex transportation system using innovative aircraft, technologies, infrastructure, and operations to move people and cargo between local, regional, intraregional, and urban locations not previously served or underserved by aviation.”
The first reading creates a positive reaction.
NATA is the leading national trade association representing the business interests of 2,700 general aviation service companies on legislative and regulatory matters and providing education, services, and benefits to its members. The PR statement states that CNO-NATA cooperative effort is intended “to empower their safety and long-term economic success. working with a large Native American population to, among other things, “CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITH NEW AIR SERVICES.”
The initial expectations grow after reading the qualifications of James Grimsley1, CNO Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives who is the interlocutor between NATA and his fellow Choctaws; his pre-existing experience and expertise is impressive.
Going beneath the superficial terms of this proposal announcement, some massive challenges to its value proposition must be examined:
EVTOL holds great promise and more than a modicum of risk (NASA paper)-
- Technology development is, at best, in the nascent stages.
- What the successful model, in terms of energy sources, propulsion, infrastructure, environmental compliance, public acceptance, and local/state/federal/international regulation and combination of eVTOL utilizations in the Choctaw Nation, is not yet defined with a wide range of untested venture plans being proffered?
- What operational model will be financially and economically viable:
- Short haul, dense markets?
- Elastic customer demand willing to pay for premium rates before economies of scale in production and passenger needs/package delivery reach mature levels?
- Can ATM safely control these almost random flights?
- The enormous risk of an early crash squelching investment and ridership
- eVTOLs’ profitability increases significantly, if/when they operate autonomously; opposition to pilotless flight has already been voiced
- A host of unknowns—e.g.,
- federal preemption –creates uniform rules? Stifles innovation? Engenders local political firestorms of opposition?
- the need for avigation easements?
- Efforts to block or control eVTOLs through zoning, taxing, compulsory use of designated vertiports???
- Speed of creating infrastructure, particularly energy sources?
A very comprehensive review of the eVTOL future is linked HERE.
The Choctaw Nation may well be a tremendous source of technical talent to develop, manufacture and sell eVTOLs. Its unique tax powers could make this territory attractive to manufacturers. The government has an established adult labor skill training program that could provide a work force qualified for various manufacturing positions from Nation schools.
The lands that compose the Choctaw Nation may not hold a level of optimism–
In 2018, the Choctaw Nation’s economic impact in Oklahoma was over $2.75 billion. The Tribe employs over 10,000 people and operates several businesses, including three casino resorts and multiple casinos, travel plazas and restaurants. In addition, the Nation owns and operates health, manufacturing, and recycling facilities.
The region’s topography includes mountains, rivers, lakes, and woodlands. Fishing, hunting, and camping are popular activities, especially in the eastern part of the reservation.
The Choctaw Nation spans 11 counties in Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation has a total of 223,279 registered members, 84,670 of whom live in Oklahoma. The Tribal area tracked by the U.S. Census has a population of approximately 231,000. The population of that area is 21 percent Indian and 79 percent non-Indian.
The Choctaw Nation’s annual tribal economic impact in 2010 was over $822,280,105. The tribe employs nearly 8,500 people worldwide;2,000 of those work in Bryan County, Oklahoma. The Choctaw Nation is also the largest single employer in Durant. The nation’s payroll is about $260 million per year, with total revenues from tribal businesses and governmental entities topping $1 billion.
The nation has contributed to raising Bryan County’s per capita income to about $24,000. The Choctaw Nation has helped build water systems and towers, roads and other infrastructure, and has contributed to additional fire stations, EMS units and law enforcement needs that have accompanied economic growth.
The Choctaw Nation operates several types of businesses. It has seven casinos, 14 tribal smoke shops, 13 truck stops, and two Chili’s franchises in Atoka and Poteau.[3] It also owns a printing operation, a corporate drug testing service, hospice care, a metal fabrication and manufacturing business, a document backup and archiving business, and a management services company that provides staffing at military bases, embassies and other sites, among other enterprises.
One clear and immediate eVTOL benefit that NATA may expedite a valuable needed service to Choctaw Nation is explained in this excerpt:
Using eVTOL Aircraft
Lower capital costs and lower predicted operating costs for eVTOL aircraft could present new opportunities for the use of air vehicles in short-range operations in the Medevac sector. There are three basic concepts of operation:
a) First Responder First responder missions may be possible in intra-city environments where traffic congestion and response within the “golden hour”—the first hour of critical care following an accident/incident.
b) Air Ambulance (Emergency) For medium range operations, eVTOLs may replace helicopters if they are capable of achieving similar range and endurance with comparable payloads. The carriage of specialist medical equipment to support the required missions is essential.
c) Air Ambulance (Nonemergency) For longer range operations and transportation of non-critical-care patients, eVTOLs are unlikely to be able to compete with fixed-wing air ambulances in the short/medium term. Helicopters are also rarely used for this mode.
More on eVTOL use in EMS missions.
Manufacturing, repair, maintenance, training of pilots & AMTs, sales and a number of similar support activities would appear to be the most immediate products of the CNO-NATA partnership. Commercial operations do not hold much near-term promise within the Nation; however, eVTOL EMS flights should rank as early applications of this initiative. Right James Grimsley?
NATA and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma Form Partnership to Advance AAM/UAM Implementation
Washington, DC, September 28, 2023 – NATA (National Air Transportation Association) and The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) announced a partnership providing the structure for the further development of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)/Urban Air Mobility (UAM) ecosystem.
NATA and CNO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at maturing AAM/UAM EDUCATION and adoption with the EXCHANGE OF EXPERTISE AND INFORMATION through committee engagement and collaboration on business, outreach, and event opportunities. This strategic partnership is invaluable in the development of a complex transportation system using innovative aircraft, technologies, infrastructure, and operations to move people and cargo between local, regional, intraregional, and urban locations not previously served or underserved by aviation.
“The future of AAM/UAM is now. NATA members from across all functional areas, including AAM, part 135, FBOs, airports, and MROs, will more quickly gain the guidance needed to support, maintain, and operate the next generation of aircraft through this collaboration. As safety advancements and education are critical to both NATA’s mission and the safe, successful implementation of eVTOL technology, a partnership between NATA and CNO was a natural fit in fostering these pillars across all stages of AAM/UAM development,” stated NATA President and CEO2 Curt Castagna. [ LINKEDIN PAGE which lists him as airport developer?]
In 2022, NATA formed its AAM Committee3 to ensure a unified approach to modernization of both the industry’s infrastructure and operational framework. NATA believes communication, collaboration, and cooperation between government partners and all aviation sector stakeholders will be key to creating a healthy and vibrant AAM ecosystem. NATA sees a natural nexus between existing part 135 operators, general aviation airports, FBO infrastructure, and AAM innovation. Urban and rural general aviation airports offer ideal spaces to introduce electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology, and NATA members are being proactive in preparing to support, maintain, and operate this next generation of aircraft.
James Grimsley4, CNO Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives, will kick off NATA’s November Aviation Business Conference in Long Beach, California, discussing the benefits of UAS and AAM technologies to rural locales, international markets, and the national economy, as well as how the CNO is helping to advance this sector.
“The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma looks forward to the many positive societal benefits that will be available as a result of emerging aviation technologies,” said Grimsley. “The relationship with NATA further illustrates CNO’s commitment to being a leader in this exciting growth area.”
The Choctaw Nation—the third largest Indian Nation in the United States, with more than 200,000 tribal members—has been very involved in the development of emerging aviation technologies, including UAS and AAM. CNO was the first Native American Tribal Government to receive a Public Aircraft Operations Certificate of Authorization from the FAA and is home to one of eight FAA UAS BEYOND sites selected by the DoT. As part of the FAA UAS BEYOND program, CNO has worked closely with the FAA and other agencies to more fully incorporate UAS into the National Airspace System and help deliver the clear safety benefits and operational efficiencies it promises.
