Advanced air mobility, or AAM, represents a huge milestone in the evolution of on-demand air mobility. These next-generation aircraft, powered by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology, will provide connections that are not available through our existing aviation infrastructure.

Through AAM, we stand ready to address challenges with congested metropolitan areas, provide additional relief in the aftermath of natural disasters, increase access for rural and mid-sized communities, and link the remote spokes of cargo and supply chain networks.

Business aviation is similarly utilized today to provide connectivity to communities, many of which do not receive airline service. Our industry can reach 5,000 airports, located in places some people have never heard of.

This unique American idea of connecting each other, no matter where we live and work, doesn't often make headlines, but it nevertheless supports 1.2 million American jobs and $247 billion in economic output.

Needless to say, our industry is tremendously excited to realize the potential of AAM and stands ready to take a leading role in not only bringing AAM to market, but also—and most importantly—to introduce these systems to our national aviation system in a safe and responsible manner.

Collaboration is Essential

Accomplishing that goal requires a diverse array of stakeholders, not only within traditional aviation sectors and the AAM industry, but also through the establishment of local, state, tribal, and government partnerships to advance the data collection needed to facilitate initial and scaled operations of AAM and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across the country.

“Collaboration is at the base of this process,” said FAA Chief Operating Officer Tim Arel during a recent discussion on AAM and UAS integration at NBAA’s 2022 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). “It’s not just the regulator or the operator of the airspace saying you can or you can’t [fly there]; it’s the innovators saying we have a different way of complying with traditional regulations written for traditional aircraft.”

Fortunately, work by NASA on unmanned traffic management for drones, within certain airspace limitations and reliant on third-party information services and collaborative sharing of flight data, is also helping to lay the groundwork to enable AAM integration.

At NBAA-BACE, Parimal “P.K.” Kopardekar, director of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Institute, termed this move, “A paradigm shift from [aircraft] management by clearance to management by exception.”

The moment is now at hand to begin testing operational approval concepts with FAA safety leaders. New aircraft and new operations frequently take a significant amount of time to safely evaluate, and we cannot wait until 2024—the industry’s timeframe to introduce limited AAM in operations—to begin evaluating AAM operational safety needs.

NBAA has identified four key areas of focus to support this effort. These include ensuring transparency and certainty in the regulatory process and a commitment to deliver the powered lift Special Federal Aviation Regulation by 2024. We must also develop a national strategy to coordinate AAM integration at the federal, state, and local levels to include AAM demonstration cities modeled after the UAS Pilot Program.

Further, we must provide continued investment in aviation infrastructure and other assets that will promote the manufacture, availability, and use of these world-leading technologies. And we must preserve congressional oversight of the nation’s aviation system so that it will always be available and accessible to all users.

Supporting a New and Exciting Paradigm

NBAA is also supporting and promoting the responsible integration of AAM and UAS in several ways, including strong support for the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act. This new legislation instructs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish an AAM interagency working group to coordinate government efforts related to the safety, operations, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity, and federal investment necessary to bolster the AAM ecosystem in the U.S.

Thanks to the leadership of Subcommittee Chair Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in the Senate, as well as Vice-Chair Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) in the House, this legislation was signed into law in October.

NBAA also supports the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act, which directs the DOT to create a pilot program to offer planning and construction grants to support the development of needed infrastructure to support AAM operations, such as public-use vertiports. That bill was introduced in December 2021 by House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (D-2-WA) and House Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-6-LA).

In addition, NBAA last year launched the AAM Roundtable, aimed at providing a forum for high-level policy planning with sector leaders to help integrate AAM technologies into U.S. airspace and transportation infrastructure. Roundtable members include Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, Joby Aviation, Supernal, and Wisk.

Additionally, I was honored to be appointed recently by DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg and FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen as one of 12 new industry, community, and regulatory leaders to serve on the FAA's Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee (AAAC), which provides advice and recommendations to the agency on key AAM and UAS integration issues, interests, and policies.

AAM and UAS hold tremendous promise, but it’s extremely important that we bring these aircraft to market safely and with full consideration of community concerns. We have an opportunity in front of us that requires a lot of coordination, communication, and collaboration, and I believe the business aviation community is uniquely positioned to assist in these efforts.

Through these initiatives and more, we are helping to define a new and exciting paradigm of transportation and a next-generation airspace system that safely and efficiently accommodates AAM, UAS, and crewed aircraft. It is a daunting task, certainly, but also an exhilarating one.

NBAA looks forward to continued engagement as we develop policy solutions that safely embrace new aviation technologies and maintain the role of the United States as the world leader in aerospace.

General aviation is witnessing historic technological advancements that will connect communities to sustainable transportation options, and business aviation stands on the forefront to making these a reality.