Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Singapore-based tech start-up, Heron AirBridge, is expanding its reach in the Asia-Pacific region with an uncrewed aircraft system traffic management (UTM) platform that it expects to be a key enabler of advanced air mobility (AAM) services mainly using new eVTOL aircraft. According to CEO and co-founder Ryan Lee, the company has already begun talks in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand as it contributes to the effort of securing regulatory compliance and public acceptance of the new mode of transportation.
“Every country in Asia is in a different state of economic development; there are different considerations, including political readiness and security concerns over building a low-altitude economy,” Lee told AIN. “Higher-income nations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are motivated by the need to strengthen competitiveness and safety in key sectors while building viable domestic AAM industries. For lower-income countries, including Cambodia, Laos, and Timor Leste, a potential driver for AAM is infrastructure development. With rapid urbanization, AAM can provide a much cheaper option to build and maintain infrastructure more efficiently than traditional transportation systems, such as roads, railways, and tunnels.”
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 <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/Bali4.jpg" width="6000" height="4000" alt="EHang has prospective customers for its EH216 eVTOL vehicle in Indonesia." title="There are prospective customers for EHang's eVTOL aircraft in Southeast Asian locations including Bali in Indonesia. (IMage: EHang)">

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<div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blockmediaimagefield-caption">
 
 
 
 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">There are prospective customers for EHang's eVTOL aircraft in Southeast Asian locations including Bali in Indonesia. (IMage: EHang)</div>
 
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<figcaption>There are prospective customers for EHang's eVTOL aircraft in Southeast Asian locations including Bali in Indonesia. (IMage: EHang)</figcaption>
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Co-founded by Lee and chief commercial officer Fabrice Ancey in 2022, Heron AirBridge is a subsidiary of the Heron Technology Group, a cybersecurity and drone technology services provider, formerly known as Nova Systems Singapore. After successfully demonstrating its UTM prototype backed by government support in 2021, the start-up was established, paving the way for last year’s commercial rollout of its flagship drone mission and Airbridge program.
<h3 class="subheading">Airbridge Software Makes Sense of Flight Operations</h3>
As an open and modular software platform, Airbridge offers a range of tools and applications designed to cater to various systems and workflows, Lee explained. This includes fixed-route and free space trajectory-based routing and scheduling capabilities, automatic strategic deconfliction,&nbsp;constraint management,&nbsp;and real-time monitoring&nbsp;for complex and dynamic beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The company is now working with the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services and CWT Aerospace to develop infrastructure and workflows for maritime drone operations.
“In maritime UAV operations, Airbridge needs to be sufficiently robust and flexible to enable and deconflict flights to and between moving vessels, designate dynamic constraints due to inclement weather or other maritime hazards, and provide warnings and rerouting recommendations to UAV operators,” Lee said. “These technologies can be delivered as bespoke products or as SaaS in soon-to-be regulated markets, either independently or through local partners.”&nbsp;
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 <div class="field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/futureflight/import/Heron%201691124284157.jpeg" width="1610" height="1208" alt="Heron AirBridge team" title="Uncrewed air traffic management specialist Heron AirBridge was co-founded by Ryan Lee, pictured far left above. ((Image: Heron AirBridge)">

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<div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blockmediaimagefield-caption">
 
 
 
 <div class="field field--name-field-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Uncrewed air traffic management specialist Heron AirBridge was co-founded by Ryan Lee, pictured far left above. ((Image: Heron AirBridge)</div>
 
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<figcaption>Uncrewed air traffic management specialist Heron AirBridge was co-founded by Ryan Lee, pictured far left above. ((Image: Heron AirBridge)</figcaption>
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In looking at the region’s potential for the AAM sector, Lee, who has 18 years of military service under his belt, stated he is optimistic about the expansion of low-altitude airspace, adding that development considerations in Asia will differ from the U.S. and Europe. For example, targeted assistance from international bodies, including the United Nations, could be a critical enabler for the integration of both piloted eVTOL vehicles and UAVs. In his view, states might also gravitate towards solutions that are more affordable, simpler, and modular in design, which could lead them to explore alternatives offered by countries like China and Malaysia.
“Countries will also seek proven use cases in various sectors like agriculture, remote deliveries, and marine,” he added. “This is an important aspect that AAM and UTM providers outside the region should consider." 
<h3 class="subheading">Political Momentum Gets Behind AAM In Major Asian Countries</h3>
In recent years, political leaders in Asian countries including <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-07-25/shenzhens-baoan-district-bids-become-advanced-air-mobility-hub-china">China</a>, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-02-21/momentum-builds-evtol-aircraft-operations-japan">Japan,</a> <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-brief/2022-02-14/singapore-path-urban-air-mobility-could-be-paved-gold">Singapore</a>, and South Korea have shown a desire to support the growth of new AAM services. This has encouraged eVTOL aircraft developers including <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-07-13/south-korean-music-producer-backs-ehangs-evtol-plans-new-investment">EHang</a>, Joby, Supernal, Plana, SkyDrive, Vertical Aerospace, Overair, Volocopter and Lilium to focus attention on forging local partnerships.
To address challenges posed by Singapore’s complex airspace, Heron AirBridge has adopted a collaborative approach, recently partnering with the Swiss non-profit group, the Global UTM Association (GUTMA), and Inmarsat's Velaris Partner Network. As a GUTMA ambassador for Southeast Asia, the company will spearhead stakeholder engagement to build a robust framework for the development and management of low-altitude airspace.
Through its Inmarsat tie-up, Heron AirBridge will gain low SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) satellite terminals, enabling a secure datalink for beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations. The agreement marks the planned demonstration of Velaris technology in Asia Pacific with trials slated for the fourth quarter, Lee said. The two sides will also work jointly on an operational and regulatory blueprint that can be replicated globally.
Heron AirBridge has also taken its expertise to Thailand where it has set up a UTM lab with local university, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang to provide research and development support. Similar to its work in Singapore, the company aims to collaborate with locally based stakeholders to establish a baseline UTM system that can be adapted to meet Thailand’s future AAM needs.
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Charles Alcock

New eVTOL aircraft developers like Eve Air Mobility view Asian markets such as Singapore as early adopters of the new mode of transportation. (Image: Eve)

Uncrewed Traffic Management Pioneer Works to Kick-start Advanced Air Mobility in Asia

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