The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced the launch of “AAM Prepared,” a multi-state initiative supported by Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry leaders and manufacturers. This campaign is the largest-ever coordinated government affairs campaign within the AAM industry, with allies including Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, The Boeing Company, BRINC Drones, Cherokee Nation Technologies, Eve Air Mobility, Ferrovial, Joby Aviation, Lilium, Overair, Reliable Robotics, Skyports, Vertical Aerospace, Volocopter, Wing Aviation, and Wisk Aero.
The campaign goals to assist states and localities prepare for the long run of advanced air transportation. In the course of the 2024 state legislative sessions, AAM Prepared allies will educate state, tribal, and native lawmakers on the advantages of electrical powered-lift aircraft, advancements in aviation technology, and the steps AAM Prepared allies are taking to make sure secure integration.
AUVSI will support policy proposals in states nationwide to attain AAM preparedness. These proposals direct state departments of transportation to develop or update transportation plans to incorporate vertiports, electric aviation charging, and AAM infrastructure needs. In addition they call for the designation of a topic expert for AAM as a resource for local and regional jurisdictions, and supply jurisdictions with resources to support statewide uniform planning and zoning language.
Michael Smitsky, Vice President of Government Affairs at AUVSI, said: “As AAM technologies have advanced lately, we’ve seen a corresponding increase of interest amongst state lawmakers and transportation agencies in how this type of transportation will impact their communities. Several AAM aircraft manufacturers are aiming to go to market within the U.S. in the following two years, and this coalition is able to shape the critical discussions in states within the months and years ahead.”
In line with AUVSI’s legislative tracking, the speed at which state legislatures have established study committees to evaluate the needs and feasibility of bringing AAM business to their areas has increased rapidly during this decade. In 2020, only one state study committee report was published; in 2021, two states published reports; that number rose to 6 in 2022 and five in 2023. Two additional states have study committees with work underway and are expected to publish reports by the close of 2023, and 4 more are expected in 2024 and 2025.
David Rottblatt, Vice President of Sales and Government Relations at Eve Air Mobility, said: “We’re excited that state governments may have industry supported guidance as they consider meaningful ways to support Advanced Air Mobility of their state. We’re proud to have worked alongside AUVSI and other industry firms to develop ‘AAM Prepared’ – a critical first step in constructing out state legislative policies that may provide an initial framework for state DOTs across the country as they start preparing for secure, industrial eVTOL operations in the approaching years.”
In analyzing all of the reports to this point, AUVSI has identified five key recommendations which can be consistently mentioned. These include the necessity for state investments in AAM operationalization, the event of a talented workforce, the appointment of state AAM coordinators, outreach to local communities, and the proactive construction of infrastructure. These common themes highlight the strategic steps that states can take to totally embrace the potential of Advanced Air Mobility.
States have already identified significant advantages that AAM will bring to their regions. A 2023 Study Committee report commissioned by the Commonwealth of Virginia forecasts that the AAM industry within the state will generate $16 billion in recent business activity and related stimulus by 2045; produce $2.8 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenues; and create over 17,000 recent full-time jobs.
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