A structured methodology for comparing advanced air mobility concept of operations using functional properties at different levels of abstraction

In emerging aeronautical domains, such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), Concept of Operations (ConOps) serves as a critical reference for systems design and development, often characterized by the lack of real-world data. The coexistence of multiple alternative ConOps for the same operational process creates the need for rigorous comparative framework capable of assessing preliminary performance and feasibility. Accordingly, this paper proposes a novel methodology for systematically comparing ConOps based on the functional properties embedded within their descriptions. Leveraging the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) and the Functional Random Walker (FRW) simulation, the proposed approach enables the comparison of local and overall performance indicators, with the aim of identifying the most suitable ConOps to support early design decisions in complex aeronautical systems. The methodology accounts for variability in abstraction levels and data availability addresses seven comparison scenarios, and enables application even under limited or estimated data conditions, which is common feature of systems at early-design phases. A case study is then presented, comparing two ConOps for vertiport operation management within the domain of AAM. The analysis demonstrates the method’s capability to highlight clever insights into global and local ConOps performance. Finally, methodological strengths and limitations are discussed, recommending possible ideas for future developments.