Arthur Brown: Powering the Future of Flight with Electric Propulsion and Air Taxi Innovation

Dr. Arthur Brown

A growing surge in electric and electrified propulsion technologies promises to reshape the future of flight—and at the forefront of this revolution is Dr. Arthur Brown, a postdoctoral associate at MIT’s Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment. From ion-driven “ionic wind” thrusters to the economics of urban air taxis, his research explores novel ways to reduce noise, emissions, and operational costs in aviation.

EcoAero had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Brown about his pioneering work on electric aircraft, including electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion systems, the key cost drivers in urban air mobility, and the promise—and challenges—of autonomy in next-generation air taxis. We emerged with a clearer picture of how academic innovation is laying the groundwork for sustainable aviation solutions.

Electroaerodynamic Propulsion (EAD)

Dr. Brown’s research centers on aircraft with electric and electrified propulsion systems, broadly encompassing battery-powered aircraft, urban air mobility (UAM) concepts, and the cutting-edge field of electroaerodynamic propulsion—airframes that generate thrust by ionizing and accelerating air without any moving parts. He has contributed to both small scale “air taxi” designs and experimental EAD platforms, aiming to demonstrate practical payload, range, and efficiency improvements for real-world missions. 

EAD propulsion uses strong electric fields to split neutral air molecules into ions and accelerate them toward a collector electrode, creating an “ionic wind” that pushes the aircraft forward. Because there are no rotating or reciprocating parts, EAD systems could operate almost silently—an important advantage for drones and air taxis flying over urban neighborhoods. Early EAD prototypes achieved indoor level flight, but only for short durations (around 90 seconds) and at low efficiency (approximately 2.5 percent). Dr. Brown’s thesis work focuses on reducing ionization power draw, lowering thruster drag, and developing higher-power-density converters to make practical EAD aircraft viable for surveillance and package delivery missions. 

Urban Air Mobility (UAM)

“The three most important cost drivers for an urban air taxi are number one, the airframe, number two, the battery and number three, the pilot” 

Beyond novel propulsion, Dr. Brown has analyzed the operating economics of UAM vehicles. He finds that airframe amortization is a significant expense—business-aviation airframes cost millions yet must last thousands of flight hours. Batteries, while relatively inexpensive to purchase, degrade after just a few hundred cycles, driving up replacement costs. Finally, pilot salaries and the broader pilot shortage in the U.S. make crew costs a major fraction of total operational expenses.

On autonomy, Dr. Brown notes that fully autonomous flight is technically feasible—several companies and military platforms already demonstrate autonomous operations—but certification to the ultra-low failure probabilities required by regulators, and public acceptance of pilotless aircraft, remain unresolved challenges. Whether air taxis can safely and legally fly without onboard pilots will depend as much on regulatory frameworks and passenger trust as on technological maturity.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the bridge between academia and industry, Dr. Brown emphasizes four key roles for researchers: pursuing “risky bets” on breakthrough concepts like EAD without risking massive investor losses; serving as an independent voice to validate emerging technologies; training the next generation of engineers; and advising policymakers with unbiased expertise. This multifaceted approach ensures that academic insights can translate into practical, scalable aviation solutions. 

Dr. Brown’s work exemplifies EcoAero’s mission to spotlight innovations that advance sustainable aerospace technologies. As we continue to explore cutting-edge research—from the lab bench to the skies—EcoAero remains committed to featuring the scientists and engineers transforming tomorrow’s air travel.