Assessment of Operational Reliability for eVTOL Vehicle Design

With the advent of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, a new era of efficient and sustainable air travel has been promised. At the core of this pivotal shift lies operational reliability which depends on technological advancements, regulatory standards, and effective maintenance and safety practices. A proper assessment of operational reliability is of critical importance for the successful integration of these novel vehicles while gaining public trust and acceptance. The objective of this work is to assess the impact of potential vehicle hazards occurring whilst in flight, as they are susceptible of compromising the completion of eVTOL missions or jeopardizing the integrity of the vehicle and/or putting the safety of its passengers at risk. A parametric tool is developed allowing a comprehensive evaluation of the operational reliability of different vehicle configurations by tracking and calculating different time metrics of interest. These metrics help formulate more efficient maintenance schedules, extending the service life of various parts as well as ensuring both the integrity of the vehicle and minimizing risks related to downtime, delays, flight cancellations, and safety concerns.