b'20 Partner News Autumn 2023Enterprise(VMS). The VMS is the digital infrastructure required to enable the remote management of a distributed vertiport network from a single interface. In recognition of this, Firstco were awarded a place on the Connected Places Catapult, Future of Air Mobility (FoAM) Accelerator, a six-month program to help SMEs bring innovative products to market. Firstco used this programme to accelerate the VMS development and ensure the system will be fit for purpose, robust and reliable.One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the access to a range of stakeholders including industry partners, eVTOL manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and infrastructure providers. Firstco used How the future of airthis access to better understand the key challenges facing the adoption of this new form of mobility and understand how it could shape our future cities. This mobility acceleratorinformation was used to refine the VMS to address fundamental future mobility challenges including:helped Firstco advanceSituational Awareness: Enabling connectivity between various systems serving as a single source of the truth.their work on VertiportsData-driven Decision-making: Leveraging data analytics to provide valuable insights and predictive capabilities,their solution enables stakeholders to make data-driven decisions enhancing efficiency.By Firstco Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of transportation are key priorities within Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) refers to theFor AAM to become a reality and servethe AAM future mobility ecosystem next generation of air transportation aimingthe whole community, and not just thesupported by our VMS functionality to revolutionise urban and regional mobilityprivileged few, operational efficiencies willsuch as optimising vehicle charging and using electric Vertical Take Off and Landingneed to be found. Vertiport economics willteleoperations. (eVTOL) aircraft, autonomous technologies,not be able to support traditional on-site and advanced infrastructure (Vertiports)management and Operation & MaintenanceThe FoAM Accelerator gave Firstco the to provide a sustainable future mode of(O&M) strategies found at traditionalopportunity to participate in live trials transport providing benefits including: airports, instead they will need to leverageat Cranfield University and demonstrate technology including centralised remoteat industry events such as the Future of Reduced traffic congestion control and monitoring.Sustainable Skies Summit. This allowed Alleviated ground traffic congestionFirstco to test their vertiport technology in using aerial routes In 2021 Firstco began developing a solutiona real-world environment and get feedback Faster travel to help solve this fundamental challengefrom industry thought leaders. This informed Point-to-point travel of making AAM commercially viable andpeer review was essential in helping Firstco Improved accessibility consequently a reality. to improve their product and make it more Connecting remote and adaptable to different use cases.underserved areas Using their 25 years of experience Environmental sustainabilitywithin the transport infrastructureTake a virtual tour of the Firstco Reduced carbon emissions sector delivering major Critical NationalVertiport Management SystemImproved air quality Infrastructure projects, Firstco have nowhere: www.vertiports.firstco.uk.com/developed a Vertiport Management Systemcontrol-room'