Assessing Service Feasibility in eVTOL Cargo Networks: Time Discretization, Battery Carryover and Fleet Restoration

Time discretization can change whether fixed eVTOL cargo resources admit full service. We combine pooled time–energy exclusion bounds, a sufficient grid-step threshold and independently verified schedules under matched return and battery-restoration conditions. The main bound covers single-origin direct deliveries with depot charging and specified symmetric route resources. A 13-hub Shenzhen scenario uses synthetic demand and an analytical aircraft. Over 32 h, its 15 min grid requires 65.5 aircraft-hours against 64 available, whereas a verified 3 min schedule delivers 25.2 t with zero backlog at every window boundary and restores both aircraft. Coarse-grid exclusions paired with fine-grid witnesses recur in 12 of 27 sensitivity cases, ten of 21 energy/resource settings and two of nine synthetic layouts. Additional comparisons retain linked parameters from two published electric-aircraft concepts across 120 grid–instance arms and a matched 10% energy stress. Four cases for the larger concept retain a 15-to-3 min feasibility contrast in both suites; none is confirmed for the smaller concept. All 96 accepted schedules pass independent nonlinear replay. Published mission-energy and manufacturer-specification checks quantify reduced-model discrepancies without establishing operational validation. The results support instance-specific grid assessment; passing a resource screen alone does not establish service feasibility.

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Publication Details

Journal
Aerospace
Published
2026-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13110983
Primary Topic
Air Traffic Management and Optimization
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Assessing Service Feasibility in eVTOL Cargo Networks: Time Discretization, Battery Carryover and Fleet Restoration

Yinfei Liu, Joseph Hupy
3 links
Aerospace
Air Traffic Management and Optimization
article

Assessing Service Feasibility in eVTOL Cargo Networks: Time Discretization, Battery Carryover and Fleet Restoration

Yinfei Liu, Joseph Hupy
article en

Abstract

Time discretization can change whether fixed eVTOL cargo resources admit full service. We combine pooled time–energy exclusion bounds, a sufficient grid-step threshold and independently verified schedules under matched return and battery-restoration conditions. The main bound covers single-origin direct deliveries with depot charging and specified symmetric route resources. A 13-hub Shenzhen scenario uses synthetic demand and an analytical aircraft. Over 32 h, its 15 min grid requires 65.5 aircraft-hours against 64 available, whereas a verified 3 min schedule delivers 25.2 t with zero backlog at every window boundary and restores both aircraft. Coarse-grid exclusions paired with fine-grid witnesses recur in 12 of 27 sensitivity cases, ten of 21 energy/resource settings and two of nine synthetic layouts. Additional comparisons retain linked parameters from two published electric-aircraft concepts across 120 grid–instance arms and a matched 10% energy stress. Four cases for the larger concept retain a 15-to-3 min feasibility contrast in both suites; none is confirmed for the smaller concept. All 96 accepted schedules pass independent nonlinear replay. Published mission-energy and manufacturer-specification checks quantify reduced-model discrepancies without establishing operational validation. The results support instance-specific grid assessment; passing a resource screen alone does not establish service feasibility.

AerospaceVol. 13(11)
Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Air Traffic Management and Optimization
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