Helios: Reimagining the Suburban Commute Through Sustainable eVTOL Networks

Note: This is an expansion/evolution of these two essays (The Landing Zone, The Station’s Agent) I’ve written previously.

For over a century, commuters have faced the same geometric problem: too many cars, too few roads, and far too much time wasted. Every year, American drivers collectively spend more than four billion hours sitting in traffic. Cities continue to sprawl outward while rail and highway systems struggle to keep up. The daily journey between home and work has become an exhausting ritual of frustration, lost time, and carbon emissions.

At the same time, a new form of transportation is taking shape above us. Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs, combine quiet electric propulsion with autonomous flight systems and compact footprints. They are capable of safely lifting people over the gridlock below, offering rapid, zero-emission travel directly between neighborhoods and city centers.

Helios is built around a simple yet transformative idea. Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of gas stations and parking garages are headed toward obsolescence as electric vehicles replace gasoline and remote work changes commuting habits. Helios proposes repurposing these properties into SkyGates: beautifully designed, sustainable neighborhood vertiports that connect suburban commuters to urban centers through fleets of eVTOL aircraft. Each SkyGate will be powered by renewable energy, feature cafés and coworking lounges, and provide ample parking and last-mile transportation options.

By combining clean aviation, thoughtful design, and sustainable real estate, Helios can transform the way people move, work, and live.

1. The Moment of Convergence

Three major trends have converged to make Helios possible.

1.1 The Rise of eVTOLs

The global eVTOL industry is expanding at an extraordinary rate. Market projections estimate a value of nearly 28 billion dollars by 2030, growing at more than fifty percent annually. Companies such as Joby Aviation, Archer, Lilium, Eve, and Vertical Aerospace are already conducting advanced test flights and pursuing FAA certification. Analysts predict more than 30,000 eVTOL aircraft could be in service worldwide by 2045.

These vehicles are designed for short-range, high-frequency urban operations. They produce a fraction of the noise of helicopters, emit no local pollutants, and can take off from compact pads that fit on rooftops, parking structures, or repurposed fuel station lots. As regulations mature, eVTOLs will soon operate as safe and certified commuter aircraft.

1.2 Battery Performance and Cost

Battery cost has fallen more than ninety-eight percent since 1990 while energy density has increased fivefold. The industry is approaching a turning point where weight and cost are no longer prohibitive for short-range aviation. Research from the University of Twente and MIT shows that urban air mobility aircraft can operate efficiently at pack-level energy densities around 360 watt-hours per kilogram, achievable with next-generation lithium-ion or solid-state systems.

This trend means that small electric aircraft can now travel thirty to seventy miles with reserve power, ideal for regional commuting.

1.3 The Decline of Legacy Infrastructure

The United States is home to more than 150,000 gas stations and over 65,000 multi-story parking garages. Both are facing existential change. As electric vehicles reach mass adoption and autonomous transport reduces parking demand, these facilities risk becoming stranded assets. Yet they are strategically located near highways, suburbs, and commercial centers. Helios proposes turning these sites into clean mobility hubs that generate new economic and environmental value.

2. Why the Time is Right

2.1 Commuting Pain Points

In major metropolitan areas such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas, average commute times now exceed one hour each way. Congestion costs the U.S. economy more than one hundred billion dollars annually in lost productivity and fuel. Traditional infrastructure solutions are slow and expensive. Building a single mile of urban subway line can exceed one billion dollars in cost and take more than a decade to complete.

Helios offers an elegant alternative: use the open air that already exists. A network of small, electric aircraft flying defined corridors can bypass ground congestion without the need for massive new construction.

2.2 Urban Air Mobility Economics

The economics of eVTOL commuting are improving rapidly. While initial costs are comparable to luxury ride-sharing, operating expenses are expected to drop significantly due to electric propulsion and minimal mechanical wear. Analysts predict eventual per-mile costs competitive with highway driving, especially in cities where congestion imposes heavy time penalties.

2.3 Safety and Public Acceptance

Modern eVTOLs are inherently safer than conventional helicopters. Distributed electric propulsion uses multiple small rotors rather than a single large one, providing redundancy if a motor fails. Automated flight systems reduce human error, and quieter operation improves community acceptance. Studies by the FAA and NASA indicate that electric rotorcraft can achieve noise footprints up to 90 percent smaller than traditional helicopters.

3. The Helios Model: Turning Ground Assets Into SkyGates

3.1 The Hub and Spoke Framework

Helios operates on a hub-and-spoke model. Local SkyGates serve as suburban departure hubs connected to central city landing nodes. Commuters drive or ride-share to a nearby SkyGate, board a five-seat eVTOL, and arrive downtown in fifteen minutes instead of an hour.

This system decentralizes traffic flow and eliminates the need for massive central terminals. Smaller, distributed hubs are safer, quieter, and more flexible to build.

3.2 Converting Old Gas Stations

Decommissioned gas stations are ideal for conversion. They occupy accessible corners, already include utility connections, and offer canopies that can support solar panels. Helios plans to remove underground fuel infrastructure, remediate soil, and build compact vertiport pads with café and coworking areas. These new hubs transform eyesores into sustainable landmarks.

3.3 Repurposing Parking Garages

Parking garages, often located near transit corridors, can become multi-level mobility centers. Rooftops host landing pads and charging infrastructure. Intermediate floors convert into waiting lounges, offices, and retail. Ground floors offer EV charging, bicycle storage, and ride-share staging. By maintaining structural frameworks, Helios minimizes construction waste and capital cost.

3.4 Design Philosophy

Every SkyGate should be a place people want to visit. Architecture will emphasize natural light, greenery, and community integration. Materials will include recycled steel, timber, and low-carbon concrete. Rooftops will feature photovoltaic panels and green gardens. Interiors will include cafés, meeting pods, and fast Wi-Fi. The result is not an airport but a neighborhood gathering place that happens to fly.

4. Sustainability at the Core

4.1 Renewable Energy Integration

Helios SkyGates will be designed as net-zero energy facilities. Solar arrays on rooftops and façades will provide power for lighting, HVAC, and eVTOL charging. On-site battery storage will smooth grid demand and store excess daytime energy. Some hubs may include geothermal heating and rainwater collection systems to further reduce environmental impact.

4.2 Circular Construction and Material Reuse

By retrofitting existing structures rather than building new ones, Helios can reduce embodied carbon emissions by as much as 60 percent compared to new construction. Materials from decommissioned fuel infrastructure can be recycled into building components. Old asphalt can be reused as aggregate for new foundations.

4.3 Emissions and Air Quality Benefits

Electric propulsion eliminates tailpipe emissions and drastically reduces noise pollution. The average car commuter emits roughly 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ annually. A fleet of 1,000 eVTOLs replacing 10,000 daily car commutes could offset more than 45,000 tons of CO₂ each year while improving local air quality.

5. Commuter Experience and Community Benefit

5.1 A Better Commute

Helios turns commuting from a burden into an experience. Instead of sitting in gridlock, passengers can relax, enjoy coffee, and fly above the skyline. With average flights under twenty minutes, the entire journey from home to office becomes efficient and predictable. Morning and evening trips can be scheduled or on demand, coordinated through a seamless digital platform.

5.2 Local Economic Revitalization

Each SkyGate creates local jobs in maintenance, operations, hospitality, and energy management. It attracts surrounding business development, such as cafés, EV dealerships, and micro-mobility vendors. Formerly dormant properties become vibrant community centers that add character rather than blight.

5.3 Integration With Last-Mile Mobility

Upon arrival, passengers can transfer directly to e-scooters, small EVs, or ride-shares stationed on site. Helios will partner with local operators to ensure every journey is end-to-end carbon-neutral.

6. Safety, Technology, and Reliability

6.1 Autonomous Flight Systems

Helios aircraft will utilize autonomous navigation guided by AI-driven air traffic control. Redundant sensors and communication links ensure safe operation even in complex urban environments. Advanced collision avoidance, digital flight corridors, and real-time weather analysis will enable consistent reliability.

6.2 Infrastructure Safety

Each SkyGate will include automated access control, monitored boarding platforms, and fire suppression systems designed for electric aircraft. FAA-approved materials and separation distances will maintain strict compliance.

6.3 Public Trust and Perception

Public acceptance is central to success. Helios will engage communities early through transparent design, environmental reporting, and sound-level demonstrations. The visual presence of green, well-designed hubs will reinforce safety and sustainability.

7. Implementation Roadmap

Phase 1: Feasibility and Pilot Programs

Helios will begin with one metropolitan pilot region, such as New York, Los Angeles, or Dallas. The pilot phase will identify two to three candidate sites for conversion, each representing a different real-estate type. Partnering with an established eVTOL manufacturer, Helios will operate short demonstration routes to measure time savings, passenger satisfaction, and energy usage.

Phase 2: Regional Expansion

After successful certification and public engagement, Helios will expand to a network of five to ten SkyGates in the initial metro region. Integration with last-mile operators will enable fully seamless commuting experiences. Data from these operations will inform economic modeling and public-private partnerships.

Phase 3: National Deployment

Helios will scale across high-traffic corridors in cities such as San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. Each hub will follow a standardized design template for efficiency and cost control. Franchise or licensing opportunities will allow regional operators to adopt the Helios system.

Phase 4: Autonomous Network Integration

As autonomy becomes certified, Helios will deploy fully autonomous aircraft, further reducing costs and increasing capacity. Advanced scheduling algorithms will coordinate thousands of simultaneous flights safely and quietly.

8. Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

8.1 Regulatory Hurdles

Urban air mobility remains in early regulatory stages. Helios will maintain active partnerships with the FAA, NASA, and local aviation authorities to ensure compliance. Early pilot projects will demonstrate adherence to safety and noise standards, paving the way for broader adoption.

8.2 Real-Estate and Remediation Costs

Some gas stations require soil cleanup or structural upgrades. Helios will prioritize properties with minimal remediation requirements and pursue partnerships with environmental engineering firms to manage conversions efficiently.

8.3 Battery Supply and Recycling

Battery supply chains remain sensitive to global demand. Helios will work with certified suppliers to source ethical materials and establish recycling programs for end-of-life packs.

8.4 Market Adoption

Public trust will build gradually. Early adopters will include executives, medical professionals, and technology workers who value time and sustainability. Over time, economies of scale will make aerial commuting accessible to a wider population.

9. The Vision for the Next Decade

Imagine a weekday morning in 2035.
A commuter drives her electric vehicle to a quiet corner site that once pumped gasoline. The canopy now glitters with solar panels. She parks, grabs a coffee, and walks across a serene garden to board an eVTOL waiting under the morning light. Within minutes, she is soaring over the highway she once endured daily, watching cars glint below like a slow river. Fifteen minutes later, she lands on a rooftop in the city, rested and ready for the day.

Helios SkyGates fill the suburbs, connected by air corridors that hum softly rather than roar. The same hubs that once fueled cars now fuel opportunity. Old parking garages have become solar gardens. The air is cleaner. The commute is peaceful.

This is not science fiction. It is the natural evolution of technology and design working together to improve human life.

10. The Future Approaches

Helios represents a new vision for sustainable commuting. It brings together three powerful ideas:

1. The technological maturity of electric aviation.

2. The economic logic of repurposing obsolete infrastructure.

3. The human desire for faster, cleaner, more inspiring mobility.

Cities once built around cars can now be built around connection. By transforming existing properties into clean energy hubs, Helios avoids the mistakes of the past and builds an infrastructure of the future — one that values beauty, sustainability, and time.

Helios invites municipalities, developers, and citizens to imagine their own SkyGates. The skies above our cities are open. The question is whether we are ready to use them wisely.

Acknowledgments

Concept and vision by Adam Drake.

Research and editorial contributions from the Helios team and supporting partners in sustainable design and aviation technology.

References and Further Reading

1. Grand View Research. Global eVTOL Market Report 2025.

2. RMI. The Rise of Batteries in Six Charts.

3. Eve Air Mobility. Twenty-Year Market Outlook.

4. University of Twente. Battery Performance Metrics for Electric Aircraft.

5. FAA and NASA Joint Research Papers on Urban Air Mobility Safety.

6. Markets and Markets. eVTOL Aircraft Market Forecast 2024–2035.

7. U.S. Department of Transportation. Urban Congestion Trends Report.

8. American Institute of Architects. Adaptive Reuse and Embodied Carbon Studies.