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FutureFlight Weekly News Roundup
FutureFlight.aero's Weekly Advanced Air Mobility News Roundup
NASA is assessing communications infrastructure for low altitude flights in urban areas around Cleveland.
NASA is assessing communications infrastructure for low altitude flights in urban areas around Cleveland. (Image: NASA)

NASA Flight Trials Evaluate Communications Infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility

NASA is deploying a Pilatus PC-12 for test flights in the Cleveland area as part of its work to pave the way for the autonomous operations envisaged for the advanced air mobility sector. The flights started on May 18 and will run through June 25, with the agency’s pilots following roadways over Cleveland, Lodi, Mansfield, and Medina in Ohio to test communications technology expected to be used by eVTOLs and other new air vehicles.

The space agency's PC-12 has been fitted with monitors to measure cell tower signal strength at various altitudes in urban, suburban, and rural areas. It will fly no lower than 1,000 feet in populated areas and no lower than 500 feet outside towns.