The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) flight demonstration was held near Seongsan Ilchubong in Jeju today (the 29th).

A manned aircraft from German UAM company Volocopter flew over the waters near Seongsan Ilchubong and Seopjikoji to demonstrate actual operational environments.

UAM is an air transportation system that transports people or cargo in urban skies, and is primarily developed using electricity to take off and land vertically without a runway (VTOL).

This showcase was prepared to verify initial commercialization models that can be utilized in tourism, local transportation, and public service sectors by implementing actual flight scenarios based on the UAM pilot project prepared by Jeju Province.

The event was attended by 300 people, including the 2nd Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Vice Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, officials from the UAM Team Korea (industry-academia-research), and participating companies.

Jeju's scenery viewed from the sky was also broadcast in real time through high-definition aerial cameras, allowing people to indirectly experience the UAM user environment.

A full-scale model of the UAM aircraft "B-33X," currently under development by domestic private company Sambo Motors Group, was also exhibited at the event venue.

Sambo Motors' UAM aircraft stably flew for three minutes at an altitude of 5 meters at a showcase held in Incheon on the 16th.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is holding the UAM Team Korea main consultative body meeting on this day to receive reports on the K-UAM initial commercialization model and the plan to train the first UAM pilots and mechanics, while discussing ways for the government and industry to promote commercialization.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aims for initial UAM commercialization in 2028.

Building on this showcase, the ministry plans to materialize initial commercialization models tailored to regional characteristics and establish foundations for commercialization, including aircraft, personnel, and systems.

(Photo: Yonhap News)