SkyGrid, an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Third-Party Service Provider (TSP), and Wisk Aero, an autonomous aviation company, have released a new 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 white paper builds on the Automated Flight Rules Concept of Operations jointly released by SkyGrid, Wisk, and Boeing in December 2025, advancing the conversation 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 operations, integrating high-tempo flights into already complex urban airspace remains a critical 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
•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 separation services, AFR enables properly equipped aircraft to use certified automation for conflict management and decision-making. This shift supports higher-density operations while maintaining safety and reducing controller workload.

The white paper focuses specifically on how AFR can support UAM operations in low-altitude (< 4000ft. AGL) urban environments, where flights are expected to operate at tempos comparable to major airports and in close proximity to existing Class B, C, and D airspace.