The wheels of liberty are flying us into the future
Speeding up will get us there faster
A confluence of events has led us here. On the brink of another step change in transportation, if we can navigate our way forward.
We had Galleons that helped us explore, trains that helped us populate the West, steamships and aeroplanes helped us reach far flung lands in days not months. Whats next?
Transport is liberty
The bicycle, at first glance, may not be seen as a symbol of social liberty. Nevertheless, the Suffragettes were able to utilise this seemingly banal invention as a catalyst for personal independence through travel. In doing so, the bicycle became a facilitator for more practical clothing choices, a move away from the restrictions imposed, emphasising the importance of personal freedom and agency.
In economic terms, the bicycle revolutionised the transportation industry for women, providing a means for independent travel that was affordable and easy to use. Before the introduction of the bicycle in Europe in the late 19th century, women were predominantly expected to travel on foot, in carriages, or on horseback. These modes of transportation were often supervised and restricted to a leisurely pace, limiting women's mobility and freedom of choice.
The bicycle was a game changer as it provided women with the freedom to travel under their own power. It was a practical means of transport that did not require a chaperone, unlike carriages or horseback riding, which were seen as status symbols rather than modes of transport.
The bicycle's impact on fashion was also significant. The need for practical clothing, such as trousers and shorter skirts, in the pursuit of safety while cycling, sparked a change in restrictive fashions. These changes marked a departure from traditional class and gender norms, with the bicycle becoming a symbol of the 'new woman' of the 20th century, one not solely bound by the traditions of class and childbearing.
For the Suffragettes, the bicycle played a pivotal role in the fight for women's liberation, serving as a practical means to campaign. The bicycle was used to carry 'votes for women' banners, demonstrating women's agency and independence in the fight.
During the Irish War of Independence, Michale Collins one of its leaders traveled around Ireland on his bicycle, using it to carry out secret missions. Collins' bicycle became an important tool in his arsenal, allowing him to travel quickly and quietly, without drawing attention to himself.
After his death in 1922, his bicycle was preserved as a historical artifact and is now on display at the Michael Collins Centre in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. Today, Michael Collins' bicycle is a reminder of our resourcefulness and ingenuity and of the important role that individuals like Collins played in shaping history through transportation.
We would not dream of banning or over regulating bicycles in most circumstances today. They are part of our transport system, they are part of many fitness routines. They offer us a gentle way to live, work and enjoy nature. However, in the wrong hands they could injure people of worse. What if a bad actor strapped an explosive to one and pushed it into a crowded square?
We accept that we don’t need bicycles to be over regulated to protect us and can see how they have benefited society. We must also accept the bicycle is not the answer to give us exponential growth as a society but part of a dynamic transportation network spanning the depths of the oceans to the limits of outer space.
These simple stories of the way the bicycle changed society for the better, remind us that transportation is not just an enduring symbol of freedom, mobility, and progress but a practical change agent. It is incumbent on us to push for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and new forms of transportation to be used in our cities and towns. They will give us renewed growth and open the doors for use cases that we can’t even comprehend today.
Why now
There is a wall of money backing Drone, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and Air Taxi companies, but it’s locked. Governments green requirements, cash and grants flowing into sustainable, electrical and hydrogen technology are incentivising us to go and prosper, like Acts of old. Our need for growth in a world of high inflation which is burning money sitting in dusty accounts is reason enough to get off our hands.
Transportation arguably more than any other technology has positively changed the face of the planet. If we don’t move forward we move backwards. All stakeholders who have an interest need to take an interest in how we progress. The technology is in place to have our flying car, drones delivering food, medicines and cargo at a fraction of todays costs. Nevertheless the speed of adoption is slower than it needs to be. I know why and how to solve for it.
Property in play
The history of property in the United States is complex, shaped by a range of factors including colonialism, the drive of capitalism, and evolving legal frameworks. When European powers asserted control over the land, they introduced their concepts of property ownership and use.
Over time property ownership and use evolved, with various federal and state policies shaping the landscape of property ownership in the US. Back in 1862, the US Congress laid down groundbreaking legislation that would allow for the acquisition of public lands by private citizens, the Homestead Act. It’s worth emphasising this was not government taking private property from citizens but giving it to them.
Under this pioneering law, US citizens and foreigners who sought naturalisation, could stake their claim to government lands. To fuel the engine of growth America needed people and ideas. The law was clear cut, each individual was entitled to a sizeable 65 hectare land parcel. Thats about 20% the size of Central Park in New York. But there was a catch, the applicant had to build a home on the land and cultivate it for a minimum of five years to gain ownership. A fee of $10 was required to register the transaction. The Homestead Act was revolutionary and opened up new avenues of opportunity for land ownership for many individuals.
The idea of individual property rights is enshrined in the Constitution and has become a cornerstone of American society. These property rights include air rights.
US Government Outlines Priorities for Advanced Air Mobility in Aeronautics Sector
The US government has released a policy report outlining its priorities for the development of new aviation technologies, including electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), autonomous drone services, air taxis, and other forms of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The report emphasises the importance of US leadership in the aeronautical sector and acknowledges the role of American ingenuity in this area.
The National Aeronautics Science and Technology Priorities paper lays out the government's position on developing aerial activities and encouraging the integration of AAM craft and services into the national airspace. While the report highlights the potential benefits of emerging AAM technologies like short hop eVTOL air taxi flights and the deployment of drones for enterprise services and cargo transport. It’s also worth noting that this welcomed paper is not broaching the area of air rights as that has been settled long ago as to who owns those rights.
The government's push towards AAM development will be tailored to the 2021 Aviation Climate Action Plan, which aims to transition legacy craft from more polluting propulsion systems and fuels to sustainable options. The report emphasises the importance of prioritising safety, environmental protection, economic competitiveness, innovation, security, workforce, and equity while nurturing AAM activity and integrating it effectively into the national airspace.
The White House has established three priority areas for the introduction and operation of a wide variety of new aviation technologies and activities:
Achieving sustainable aviation.
Transforming the national airspace system.
Promoting connectivity and speed.
The government's efforts in these areas if regulation is sensibly applied will create new industries and jobs, and enhance global connectivity at greater speed.
The report follows earlier AAM proposals by the White House to prepare for and support the increasing number of drones providing aerial services to businesses. The US government's commitment to fostering innovation and competitiveness in the aeronautical sector is expected to bring significant benefits to the country's economy and transportation infrastructure as private enterprise find solutions to some of the biggest problems.
Canada Moves
Drone Delivery Canada Corp. has announced that it has secured a contract with the Canadian government to operate and evaluate its heavy-lift Condor drone as part of the Innovative Solutions Canada program. The contract is valued at up to $1.2 million and will involve the testing and evaluation of the Condor's capabilities in short-range flights, long-range endurance flights, and extreme environmental testing.
The Condor drone has a payload capacity of approximately 20 cubic feet of cargo and is equipped with the Company's proprietary flight management system. The increased size and payload capacity of the Condor is expected to open up new potential use cases in sectors such as mining, oil and gas, inspection, and emergency preparedness.
Wingcopter Boost
This German drone company is going from battery-electric to hybrid-electric, but will stay emission-free, thanks to green hydrogen. The Wingcopter 198 was touted as the only triple-drop delivery drone around. The cargo drone has participated in various projects, including one that was called “Drone Cargo Bike Express Delivery,” in Hesse, Germany. For this project the drone would have to deliver goods from one centre to the neighbouring villages, where cargo e-bikes would take over and take the packages to each customer.
Wingcopter’s drone proved to be successful in various fields but as with all electric vehicles, range is an issue. When we’re talking cargo delivery drones, this becomes even more important, since a wider reach is one of their main purposes.
Initially, the 198 was designed to be able to cover approximately 46 miles (75 km) on a single charge, with a maximum payload of 11 pounds (5 kg). By drastically reducing the payload to just 2.2 pounds (1 kg) its range would increase to 60 miles (95 km). But the triple-drop system is the drone’s main asset. Without it, it would be just another battery electric delivery drone. This is why it’s important to increase its range, without reducing cargo capacity.
Their solution is green hydrogen. This is done together with the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research Center. ZAL has a Fuel Cell Lab in Hamburg and has also tested the use of hydrogen for its own drone, called the ZAlbatros. Using compressed gaseous hydrogen together with fuel cell technology, the ZALbatros was able to fly continuously for more than two hours. The Wingcopter drone is set to follow in its footsteps and go even longer. The two partners are currently testing the same formula for this delivery drone. The company plans to eventually start producing its own hydrogen propulsion system, and incorporate it into all future delivery drones. In 2022, it started the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 135 certification process but have no way to fly in public air space.
Where do we turn
Drones and UAVs have many of the ingredients to grow but are lacking the one that makes this all work properly. Air rights to allow the smooth, legal and safe transit of UAVs. The squeaky wheel needs oil.
The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it. - J. M. Barrie
The friction and transaction costs associated with purchasing easements or licenses from each individual landowner below a flight path is out of reach for drone companies who want to scale. Drone operators need air space, and plenty of it to hit the frequency numbers they require for an on demand service. Regulators need certainty, local governments want clarity and air rights owners want a say and passive income.
The solution we bring is aggregation of air rights for all stakeholders. To learn more about our marketplace and how to get involved email me jonathan@skytrades.io
