Inmarsat and Flight Crowd have announced a first-of-its-kind, global partnership at the Farnborough Airshow.
Future flight technologies, such as all-electric and autonomous aircraft, hold the key to a more sustainable and innovative air transport industry and the companies say the partnership will improve engagement with both the industry and the general community through a series of collaborative outreach projects.
The projects are designed to inform, engage and inspire and aim to improve understanding of the air mobility sector for both the public, government and wider aviation sector, showcasing many benefits this new industry will bring. The projects will reach enthusiasts, experts and the public, including in educational settings through Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) activities.
Flight Crowd has now joined Inmarsat’s Velaris Partner Network, which is an ecosystem of leading companies pioneering new innovations to facilitate safe and secure advanced air mobility operations. Utilising Inmarsat’s ground-breaking Velaris global connectivity solution, the network builds on the company’s vast expertise of more than 30 years in air traffic management communications.
This experience will also be essential in providing contextualised learning for Flight Crowd’s projects and for instilling trust in the public.
Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat Aviation’s Senior Director of Advanced Air Mobility, said: “To ensure the adoption of Urban Air Mobility is carried out in a managed and sophisticated way, operators must not only have the backing of the industry, but also positive public acceptance. This simply will not be possible without an investment in education, which is exactly what this partnership aims to achieve. Sustained education programmes that reach communities outside of our sector are important and Inmarsat is proud to work with the experts at Flight Crowd to help realise this objective.”
Mariya Tarabanovska, Founder of Flight Crowd, said: “Inmarsat will be an unparalleled partner for our mission to strengthen the global community’s interest and support of electric and autonomous aviation. To help alleviate any public concerns, it is crucial to raise awareness of the operational benefits that Urban Air Mobility and Advanced Air Mobility technologies offer.
“Flight Crowd is excited to combine our expertise to improve public perception and desirability of future flight with the global leader in communications and connectivity. This partnership will help us contribute to the safe and connected future of air mobility, while ensuring the ecosystem is built on transparency, diversity and inclusion. We look forward to working alongside Inmarsat to ensure a positive and transformative future for the industry.”
