Patent Publication Number: US-2022221856-A1

Title: Air mobility system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/136,874, filed Jan. 13, 2021. The contents of the application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     INTRODUCTION 
     The present disclosure relates to an air mobility system. In particular, the present disclosure is directed towards an air mobility system including a data link between a companion system and an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Most individuals who have the financial resources to fly a general aviation aircraft only need to travel the appropriate distance a handful of times a year. As a result, it may be difficult for an individual to fly an aircraft frequently enough to keep all of his or her flight skills up to date. For example, it may be challenging even for a certified pilot to stay current on skills such as planning, communication, local knowledge, and other non-stick-and-rudder skills. Indeed, general aviation pilots should fly several times per month in order to stay current with their skills. 
     There are several approaches currently available for providing private air travel. In one example, air taxi services and on-demand short-notice charter flights may be available in some regions. However, an air taxi operator requires a network of multiple pilots and aircraft, which may be costly to acquire. Indeed, there is significant cost associated with building a fleet of aircraft as well as recruiting and training pilots. Furthermore, many non-revenue miles are spent transporting the pilots and aircraft to locations where they may need to be. For example, there is significant cost in transporting pilots home at night. Finally, smaller aircraft only have a few available seats, and an onboard pilot uses the limited space and weight on the aircraft. In another example of on-demand air travel, an aircraft is provided with an onboard computer that acts as a pilot-in-command or, in the alternative, the pilot-in-command is located on the ground. However, autonomous technology as well as the associated regulatory infrastructure still require significant development before an autonomous aircraft may be used for passenger-carrying revenue operations. Moreover, the equipment required for an autonomous aircraft may be expensive and heavy, and therefore impractical to integrate into a smaller, personal-sized aircraft (which typically includes one to about six seats). 
     SUMMARY 
     According to several aspects, an air mobility system between an aircraft and a companion system is disclosed. The air mobility system includes a data link configured to provide wireless communication between the companion system and the aircraft. The data link is configured to relay radio calls spoken by a companion that is part of the companion system. The air mobility system also includes a first transceiver located onboard the aircraft. The first transceiver receives the radio calls spoken by the companion. The air mobility system also includes a second transceiver located onboard the aircraft. The second transceiver is configured to relay the radio calls. The air mobility system also includes communication device onboard the aircraft. The communication device is configured to make a pilot-in-command (PIC) aware that the radio call is spoke by the companion. The air mobility system also includes state information that is received by the companion, where the state information indicates a basic state of the aircraft. 
     In an aspect, a method of relaying radio calls by a companion system through an aircraft via a data link is disclosed. The method includes transmitting the radio call to the aircraft over the data link, where the radio call is spoken by a companion that is part of the companion system and the data link provides wireless communication between the companion system and the aircraft. The method also includes receiving, by a first transceiver, the radio call by the companion, where the first transceiver is on board the aircraft. The method also includes relaying, by a second transceiver, the radio call by the companion to air traffic. Finally, the method includes making a PIC aware that the radio call is being spoken by a communication device onboard the aircraft. 
     In another aspect, a method for transmitting a command using an air mobility system between a companion system and an aircraft is disclosed. The method includes generating, by a companion that is part of the companion system, the command. The method includes carrying the command over a data link. The data link is configured to provide wireless communication between the companion system and the aircraft. The method also includes alerting a PIC onboard the aircraft to the commands generated by the companion by an annunciation device. In response to the command being expected, the method includes implement the command by a confirm device. The command is executed by one or more systems onboard the aircraft. The method also includes receiving state information by the companion. The state information indicates a basic state of the aircraft. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may be achieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in other embodiments further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of the disclosed air mobility system including a data link between a companion system and an aircraft, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the aircraft shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the air mobility system and one or more ground stations that are used to carry signals, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a set-aside analog channel configured to transmit audio signals that carry data, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for executing a command by the air mobility system, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for relaying a radio call, according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a process flow diagram illustrating an alternative method for relaying a radio call, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An air mobility system between a companion system and an aircraft is disclosed. The air mobility system includes a data link that carries radio calls, communications, and/or commands generated by the companion system to the aircraft. The data link enables a companion, who is part of the companion system, to act as a remote assistant to a pilot-in-command (PIC) onboard the aircraft. Specifically, the companion performs radio work, commands, and/or other functions on behalf of the PIC onboard the aircraft, while the PIC still maintains full oversight and authority of the operation of the aircraft. 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an air mobility system  10  between an aircraft  12  and a companion system  14  is illustrated. The aircraft  12  represents any airplane that is employed in general aviation applications. In the embodiment as shown, the companion system  14  is located on ground  16 , however, it is to be appreciated that the companion system  14  is not limited to a location on the ground  16 . Instead, for example, the companion system  14  may located on a marine vessel deployed in a body of water. The air mobility system  10  includes a data link  20  configured to provide wireless communication between the companion system  14  on the ground  16  and the aircraft  12 . Specifically, the data link  20  wirelessly connects a transceiver  22  that is part of the companion system  14  with a transceiver  24  onboard the aircraft  12 . As explained below, the data link  20  carries commands  30  generated by a companion  32  of the companion system  14  to one or more systems  36  onboard the aircraft  12 . The data link  20  is also configured to relay radio calls  28  spoken by the companion  32  though the transceiver  24  located onboard the aircraft  12 , where the radio calls  28  are relayed by a second transceiver  40  onboard the aircraft  12  to air traffic  42 . It is to be appreciated that the data link  20  enables the companion  32  of the companion system  14  to act as a remote assistant to a pilot-in-command (PIC)  38  onboard the aircraft  12 . Specifically, the data link  20  allows for the companion  32  to conduct some or all of the operations and radio work on behalf of the PIC  38  onboard the aircraft  12 . However, the PIC  38  maintains full oversight and authority of the aircraft  12 . In other words, the PIC  38  maintains authority over the various affordances to exercise authority over the aircraft  12  such as, for example, devices for changing the autopilot setting and the equipment for radio calls. 
     In the non-limiting embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , there is a single companion  32  located on the ground  16  assisting a single PIC  38  onboard an aircraft  12 . However, it is to be appreciated  FIG. 1  illustrates a single companion system  14  and aircraft  12  for purposes of clarity and simplicity. Instead, in another embodiment, the companion  32  assists more than one PIC  38  of an aircraft. In other words, the companion  32  assists multiple pilots who are each piloting their own respective aircraft. In another embodiment, more than one companion  32  assists more than one PIC  38 . For example, a pool of companions  32  assist multiple PICs  38 . In one embodiment, the data link  20  provides a constant presence of the companion  32 . However, in an alternative embodiment, the data link  20  provides either an intermittent or an on-demand presence of the companion  32 . Furthermore, although  FIG. 1  illustrates the PIC  38  as an individual or a human, in an alternative embodiment the PIC  38  is an autonomous flight control system or a semi-autonomous flight control system instead. Moreover, although  FIG. 1  illustrates the companion  32  as an individual, in another embodiment the companion  32  is autonomous flight control system or a semi-autonomous flight control system instead. 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the companion system  14  receives state information  44  that indicates a basic state of the aircraft  12 . The basic state of the aircraft  12  includes, but is not limited to, information such as position, altitude, and rate-of-climb. Furthermore, in one embodiment the state information  44  includes additional information such as, but not limited to, a visual image of the cockpit of the aircraft  12 , a visual image of an external environment of the aircraft  12 , an engine state, and a fuel state. In one embodiment, the state information  44  includes all avionics data, external video, cockpit and cabin video, and cockpit and cabin video information. 
     In one embodiment, the state information  44  is transmitted from the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14  over the data link  20 . It is to be appreciated that the data link  20  is a dedicated link, an intermittent link, or an on-demand link. If the data link  20  is a dedicated link, then the state information  44  is transmitted by a communications protocol such as, but not limited to, satellite communication (SATCOM) or a mobile communication protocol such as 5G. If the data link  20  is an intermittent link or an on-demand link, then the state information  44  is transmitted by a communication protocol such as, for example, a very high frequency (VHF) radio spectrum. In still another embodiment, the state information  44  is transmitted over a separate internet network  46 . For example, the companion  32  downloads the state information  44  from a website that is available over the internet, where the website allows for the companion  32  to listen to live air traffic control broadcasts or see aircraft position information. 
     In one embodiment, the air mobility system  10  further includes an annunciation device  48  and/or a disconnect device  50 . The annunciation device  48  and the disconnect device  50  are located onboard the aircraft  12 . The annunciation device  48  is in electronic communication with the transceiver  24  and receives the commands  30  generated by the companion  32 . The annunciation device  48  is configured to alert the PIC  38  to the commands  30  generated by the companion  32 . It is to be appreciated that the PIC  38  may be alerted to the commands  30  by at least one of a tactile, audio, or visual alert. Accordingly, the annunciation device  48  includes at least one of an audio indicator, a visual indicator, and a tactile indicator. In an example, the audio indicator may be a speaker, the visual indicator may be a display for showing text or images, and the tactile indicator may be a device that generates vibration in a seat or the avionics controls. For example, the PIC  38  may hear the commands  30  generated by the companion  32  if the annunciation device  48  is a speaker. Thus, it is not possible to affect a change on the aircraft  12  without the change being annunciated. For example, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the annunciation device  48  is in series with the disconnect device  50 , and the one or more systems  36 . In other words, the annunciation device  48  is in line (as opposed to parallel) with the one or more systems  36  that implement the commands  30 . 
     The commands  30  are any type of task that is performed by a PIC in command of an aircraft. Some examples of commands  30  that are generated by the companion  32  include, but are not limited to, changing a frequency of the radio calls  28 , changing the transponder squawk codes, changing an autopilot heading or altitude, and changing an altimeter setting. Accordingly, the one or more systems  36  onboard the aircraft  12  include any device or system for executing the commands  30 . For example, in one embodiment, the one or more systems  36  include a device that changes the heading and/or altitude settings of the autopilot of the aircraft  12  based on the commands  30  received from the data link  20 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the data link  20  is a non-mission critical link, as there is a qualified PIC  38  onboard the aircraft  12  monitoring the information being sent over the data link  20  (i.e., the radio calls  28  and the commands  30 ). For example, the PIC  38  is made aware of an alert generated by the annunciation device  48  indicating the command  30 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , the PIC  38  has the ability to reject the command  30 . Specifically, the disconnect device  50  is in electronic communication with the one or more systems  36  that execute the commands  30 . In one embodiment, the disconnect device  50  is configured to override the commands  30  generated by the companion  32  in response to receiving input from the PIC  38 . For example, in one embodiment, the disconnect device  50  enables the PIC  38  to override or cancel a command  30  that instructs the aircraft  12  to change autopilot heading or altitude. In the alternative, the disconnect device  50  is configured to disconnect the aircraft  12  from the companion system  14 . In other words, the disconnect device  50  terminates the connection to the data link  20 . In one embodiment, the disconnect device  50  is a knob, button, or switch that the PIC  38  manipulates to either modify or disregard a command  30  that is generated by the companion  32 . Accordingly, the PIC  38  maintains full authority over the aircraft  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an alternative embodiment the air mobility system  10  includes a confirm device  52  onboard the aircraft  12  instead of a disconnect device. The confirm device  52  is in electronic communication with the one or more systems  36  that execute the commands  30 . The confirm device  52  is configured to implement one or more pending commands  54  that are part of a command queue  58  in response to receiving a confirmation from the PIC  38 . In other words, the commands  30  are not executed by the one or more systems  36  unless there is an affirmative confirmation by the PIC  38 . As seen in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the one or more pending commands  54  include Command A, Command B, and so on, where the pending commands  54  are awaiting confirmation by the PIC  38 . The command queue  58  includes the one or more pending commands  54  that are awaiting confirmation by the PIC  38 . 
     Turning back to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, the data link  20  is configured to transmit personalized communication between the companion system  14  and the aircraft  12 . It is to be appreciated that the personalized communication is specific to the aircraft  12 . For example, the personalized communication may be the companion  32  discussing one of the radio calls  28  or commands  30 . The personalized communication is in the form of voice or, in an alternative embodiment, text. In one embodiment, the personalized communication is transmitted over the data link  20  using a voice over internet protocol. In another embodiment, the personalized communication is transmitted over a push-to-talk (PTT) VHF frequency. In yet another embodiment, the personalized communication is transmitted over the data link  20  using cellular frequency. It is to be appreciated that in one embodiment, an alert is generated in response to either the companion  32  or the PIC  38  initiating a personalized communication, similar to a telephone ringing. It is also to be appreciated that in one non-limiting embodiment, the personalized communication is unidirectional. For example, in one approach the data link  20  is configured to transmit one-way personalized communication from the companion system  14  to the aircraft  12  over the data link  20 . In the alternative, the data link  20  is configured to transmit one-way personalized communication in the opposite direction from the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14 . 
     As mentioned above, in one embodiment the data link  20  is configured to relay radio calls  28  spoken by the companion  32  through the transceiver  24  located onboard the aircraft  12 , where the radio calls  28  are relayed by the second transceiver  40  onboard the aircraft  12  to air traffic  42 . In other words, the companion system  14  makes radio calls  28  on the behalf of the aircraft  12 . It is to be appreciated that the radio calls  28  are transmitted independently of the commands  30 . For example, in one implementation, the companion  32  only assists the PIC  38  with radio calls  28  and does not provide commands  30 . It is also to be appreciated that the PIC  38  is made aware of the radio calls  28  spoken by the companion  32 . Specifically, the radio calls  28  are announced to the PIC  38  by a communication device  56 . The communication device  56  is any device for conveying information to the PIC  38  that is configured to make the PIC  38  aware that a radio call  28  is spoken by the companion  32  on his or her behalf. In an embodiment, the communication device  56  generates audio signals and is a speaker or a headset. However, in another embodiment, the communication device  56  is configured to convey information visually, such as a display that converts the radio calls  28  to text. 
     In one embodiment, the radio calls  28  are transmitted over the data link  20  using a voice over internet protocol. In another embodiment, the radio calls  28  are transmitted over the data link  20  using an unused VHF frequency, or the same frequency that is used for the personalized communications. In an alternative embodiment, the radio calls  28  are not transmitted over the data link  20  from the companion system  14  to the aircraft  12 . Instead, referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the transceiver  22  of the companion system  14  is in electronic communication with a ground station  60  (seen in  FIG. 3 ) in proximity to the aircraft  12 . The companion system  14  sends the radio calls  28  to the ground station  60 . The radio calls  28  are then broadcast to the air traffic  42  without being relayed through the aircraft  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in another embodiment, the second transceiver  40  of the aircraft  12  receives aircraft radio calls  64  from the air traffic  42 . The aircraft radio calls  64  are relayed from the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14  using a variety of approaches. In one embodiment, the data link  20  relays the aircraft radio calls  64  received by the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14 . In this embodiment, the data link  20  employs any number of communication protocols such as, but not limited to, voice over internet protocol or by VHF frequency. Alternatively, instead of the data link  20 , the companion system  14  receives the aircraft radio calls  64  from the air traffic  42  through one of the ground stations  60 . In another embodiment, the companion system  14  receives the aircraft radio calls  64  over the internet network  46 , such as a website that monitors radio calls. Furthermore, in addition to relaying the aircraft radio calls  64  from the air traffic  42  to the companion system  14 , the companion system  14  also monitors spoken radio calls  66  as well. It is to be appreciated that the spoken radio calls  66  are generated by the PIC  38  onboard the aircraft  12 . In other words, the spoken radio calls  66  are spoken by the PIC  38 . For example, in one embodiment, the data link  20  relays the spoken radio calls  66  that are spoken by the PIC  38  to the companion system  14 , where the data link  20  may employ a voice over internet protocol or a VHF frequency. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the spoken radio calls  66  are relayed from the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14  through one of the ground stations  60 . In still another embodiment, the companion system  14  receives the spoken radio calls  66  over the internet network  46 , such as a website that monitors radio calls. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , in at least some implementations, the data link  20  is a set-aside analog channel  70  having limited data capacity that may be used in one direction at a time. For example, in an embodiment, the set-aside analog channel  70  is an aviation VHF channel. However, it is to be appreciated that the set-aside analog channel  70  is not limited to VHF frequencies. The set-aside analog channel  70  is configured to transmit audio signals that carry data (similar to the tones that are heard when employing a dial-up internet connection). For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) may be used to transmit audio signals that carry data. 
     Referring to both  FIGS. 1 and 4 , in one implementation the set-aside analog channel  70 A is transmitted from the companion system  14  to the aircraft  12 . In this example, the companion  32  may press a PTT button (not shown in the figures) that enables the personalized communication. It is to be appreciated that the companion  32  may employ separate PTT buttons, where one PTT button is used for normal radio calls and the other PTT button is used to transmit communications via the set-aside analog channel  70 A. Alternatively, instead of two separate PTT buttons, a single PTT button having a toggle switch or a software-implemented PTT button may be used as well. The set-aside analog channel  70 A transmits a first audio data packet  72 A that indicates that the subsequent data or voice transmission  74 A is a personalized communication. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the set-aside analog channel  70 A then transmits a second audio data packet  72 B that indicates a command  30 . In the example as shown in  FIG. 4 , the command  30  is to change the heading of the aircraft  12 . Then, the companion  32  decides to transmit a radio call  28 . The companion  32  may press a broadcast PTT button that enables the radio calls  28 . Accordingly, the set-aside analog channel  70 A transmits a third audio data packet  72 C indicating the subsequent voice transmission  74 C is radio call  28  to be rebroadcast. 
     The set-aside analog channel  70 B transmits audio signals that carry voice and data from the aircraft  12  to the companion system  14 . Specifically, the set-aside analog channel  70 B transmits a plurality of audio data packets  76  that each contain the state information  44  of the aircraft  12 . The plurality of audio data packets  76  are either transmitted on-demand or intermittently. As seen in  FIG. 4 , in addition to the audio data packets  76 , the set-aside analog channel  70 B also transmits an audio data packet  78  indicating the nature of a transmission over the data link  20 . For example, the audio data packet  78  of the set-aside analog channel  70 B indicates that the subsequent transmission is a personalized communication voice transmission  80  that should be made audible to the companion  32 . Similar to the companion  32 , the PIC  38  may also press a PTT button that enables the personalized communication, where separate PTT buttons, a single PTT button having a toggle switch, or a software-implemented PTT button. It is to be appreciated that the set-aside analog channel  70  is implemented independently of the radio calls  28  and the commands  30 . In other words, in one embodiment the data link  20  transmits the radio calls  28  and/or the commands  30  in addition to carrying voice and data via the set-aside analog channel  70 . In the alternative, the data link  20  does not transmit radio calls  28  and commands  30 , and only carries voice and data via the set-aside analog channel  70 . 
       FIG. 5  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  200  for transmitting a command  30  over the data link  20  between the companion system  14  and the aircraft  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 , the method  200  begins at block  202 . In block  202 , the companion  32 , that is part of the companion system  14 , generates a command  30 . For example, the command  30  is to change a heading of the aircraft  12 . The method  200  may then proceed to block  204 . 
     In block  204 , the command  30  is carried over the data link  20 . As mentioned above, the data link  20  is configured to provide wireless communication between the companion system  14  on the ground  16  and the aircraft  12 . The method  200  may then proceed to block  206 . 
     In block  206 , the annunciation device  48  alerts the PIC  38  onboard the aircraft  12  to the commands  30  generated by the companion  32 . As mentioned above, the annunciation device  48  provides at least one of an audio, a visual, and a tactile indicator. The method  200  may then proceed to decision block  208 . 
     In decision block  208 , the PIC  38  determines if the command  30  is expected. If the command  30  is expected, then the method  200  proceeds to block  210 . 
     In block  210 , in response to the command  30  being expected, the command  30  is implemented by the confirm device  52  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The command  30  is executed by the one or more systems  36  onboard the aircraft  12 . For example, if the command  30  is to change the heading of the aircraft  12 , then the new heading is set in autopilot. The method  200  may then terminate. 
     Returning to decision block  208 , if the PIC  38  determines that the command  30  is unexpected or unwanted, then then method  200  proceeds to block  212 . 
     In block  212 , in response to the command  30  being unwanted, the PIC  38  initiates a conversation with the companion  32  over the data link  20 . For example, the PIC  38  may initiate personalized communication over the data link  20 . This situation may occur if the PIC  38  does not suspect nefarious actions by the companion  32 , but simply disagrees with the command  30 . Alternatively, in response to the command  30  being unwanted, the command  30  is overridden by the disconnect device  50 . For example, in one embodiment, if the PIC  38  suspects nefarious actions by the companion  32 , then the disconnect device  50  disconnects from the companion affordances. The method  200  may then terminate. 
       FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  300  for relaying radio calls  28  by the companion system  14  through the aircraft  12  via the data link  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 6 , the method  300  begins at block  302 . In block  302 , the companion  32  determines a radio call  28  is required. The method  300  may then proceed to block  304 . 
     In block  304 , the companion  32  selects the option to transmit the radio call  28  over the data link  20 . For example, in one embodiment, the companion  32  may push the PTT button in combination with a broadcast button (PTT+B). The method  300  may then proceed to block  306 . 
     In block  306 , the companion  32  speaks the radio call  28 . The method  300  may then proceed to block  308 . 
     In block  308 , the radio call  28  is transmitted to the aircraft  12  over the data link  20 . The method  300  may then proceed to block  310 . 
     In block  310 , the second transceiver  40  relays the radio calls  28  to the air traffic  42 , and the communication device  56  makes the PIC aware that the radio call  28  is spoken by the companion  32  on his or her behalf. The method  300  may then proceed to decision block  312 . 
     In decision block  312 , if the radio call  28  is expected, then then method  300  proceeds to block  314 , where the PIC  38  does nothing, and the method  300  then terminates. However, if the radio call  28  is unwanted or unexpected, then the method  300  may proceed to block  316 . 
     In block  316 , in response to the command  30  being unwanted, the PIC  38  performs one or more corrective actions. If the PIC  38  does not suspect nefarious actions by the companion  32 , but simply disagrees with the command  30 , then the PIC  38  may initiate a conversation with the companion  32  over the data link  20 . For example, the PIC  38  may initiate personalized communication over the data link  20 . However, if the PIC  38  suspects nefarious activity by the companion system  14 , then the PIC  38  instructs the disconnect device  50  to disconnect from the companion affordances. The method  300  may then terminate. 
       FIG. 7  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  400  for relaying radio calls  28  by the companion system  14  through the aircraft  12  via one of the ground stations  60 . Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, and 7 , the method  400  begins at block  402 . In block  402 , the companion  32  determines a radio call  28  is required. The method  400  may then proceed to block  404 . 
     In block  404 , the companion  32  selects the option to transmit the radio call  28  over one of the ground stations  60 . The method  400  may then proceed to block  406 . 
     In block  406 , the radio call  28  is transmitted by one of the ground stations  60  to one or more recipients. For example, in an embodiment, the one or more recipients are the air traffic  42 . The method  400  may then proceed to decision block  408 . 
     In decision block  408 , if the radio call  28  is expected, then then method  400  proceeds to block  410 , where the PIC  38  does nothing, and the method  400  then terminates. However, if the radio call  28  is unwanted or unexpected, then the method  400  may proceed to block  412 . 
     In block  412 , in response to the command  30  being unwanted, the PIC  38  performs one or more corrective actions. As mentioned above, when the PIC  38  does not suspect nefarious actions by the companion  32 , but simply disagrees with the command  30 , the PIC  38  initiates a conversation with the companion  32  over the data link  20 . In the alternative, if the PIC  38  suspects nefarious activity by the companion system  14 , then the PIC  38  instructs the disconnect device  50  to disconnect from the companion affordances. The method  400  may then terminate. 
     Referring generally to the figures, the disclosed air mobility system provides various technical effect and benefits. Specifically, the disclosed air mobility system provides a cost-effective approach for providing a remote assistant for general aviation pilots who are qualified to fly an aircraft but are still relatively inexperienced or who do not fly frequently enough to keep their skills up-to-date. The disclosed air mobility system is also relatively easy to implement as well. Furthermore, the air mobility system also provides a pilot with turn-by-turn navigation in the air and on the ground. As a result, it is not necessary for the pilot to be familiar with an airport before landing the aircraft. In one implementation, the companion may perform most or all of the radio work that is traditionally performed by the pilot as well. Although a substantial amount of work is offloaded to the companion, the PIC of the aircraft still maintains authority over the aircraft. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the pilot may be a qualified but relatively inexperienced pilot or a pilot who does not fly frequently enough to keep his or her skills up to date, and the companion assists the pilot. However, it is to be appreciated that the disclosed air mobility system is not limited to any specific situation and may be used in a variety of different circumstances and applications. 
     The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.