SkyGrid and Wisk Aero have released a joint white paper, Enabling Scalable Urban Air Mobility Through Automated Flight Rules, outlining how Automated Flight Rules (AFR) can enable the safe and scalable integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations into global airspace.
The paper builds on the Automated Flight Rules Concept of Operations jointly released by SkyGrid, Wisk, and Boeing in December 2025, advancing the discussion from a high-level framework to a focused application for low-altitude UAM operations.
As passenger-carrying electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft move closer to commercial service, integrating high-tempo operations into already complex urban airspace presents a significant challenge. SkyGrid and Wisk propose that scalable UAM will require a coordinated evolution of airspace management, including advanced automated traffic management systems, the introduction of new airspace structures referred to as Class X airspace, and the establishment of a new operating mode — Automated Flight Rules.
AFR is designed to complement, not replace, existing Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). While traditional flight rules rely on human-to-human voice coordination and Air Traffic Control (ATC) separation services, AFR enables properly equipped aircraft to use certified automation for conflict management and operational decision-making. This approach supports higher-density operations while maintaining safety and reducing controller workload.
The white paper focuses specifically on low-altitude urban environments below 4,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), where operations are expected to occur at tempos comparable to major airports and in close proximity to existing Class B, C, and D airspace.
It introduces a layered approach to automated conflict management, beginning with strategic conflict management prior to takeoff through demand-capacity balancing and operational intent validation. This framework conditions traffic flows in advance, enabling high-density operations without overloading traditional ATC systems. Subsequent layers address in-flight conflict management and collision avoidance, creating a comprehensive model for scalable UAM integration.
Jia Xu, CEO of SkyGrid, commented, “Urban Air Mobility cannot scale under today’s human-centric traffic management model alone. Automated Flight Rules represent the next logical evolution in aviation, leveraging certified automation to enable predictable, high-density operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety. This white paper provides a practical framework for how that future can be realized.”
Erick Corona, Head of Systems and Operations Integration at Wisk, added, “As we prepare for commercial operations, airspace modernization must evolve alongside aircraft innovation, which is why Wisk is designing the Gen 6 aircraft to be compatible with the AFR concepts outlined in this white paper. This paper outlines how AFR and automated traffic management can unlock scalable, efficient operations in urban environments, enabling us to deliver safe and accessible autonomous AAM at scale.”
Together, these elements establish a scalable operating model for low-altitude UAM, combining automated traffic management, new airspace structures, and Automated Flight Rules to enable high-density operations beyond current system constraints.
SkyGrid and Wisk are inviting regulators, air navigation service providers, and industry stakeholders worldwide to collaborate in validating and advancing the concept to support the safe, long-term growth of Urban Air Mobility.
