Industry associations advocate for advanced air mobility grants

More than a dozen aviation industry associations have asked U.S. lawmakers to include grants for advanced air mobility (AAM) planning in upcoming infrastructure legislation.

In a letter dated May 10, the associations ask members of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to back a federal grant program that would assist cities and counties in evaluating AAM solutions alongside traditional infrastructure options.

The letter describes how electric aircraft are “poised to revolutionize the way in which people move within and between cities, suburban, and rural areas,” providing “environmentally conscious alternatives to current transportation options.”

“This expanded mode of local and regional transportation can create new economic and workforce development opportunities for communities,” the letter states. “Each city or county is likely to have subtle but important differences based on local characteristics. To assist cities and counties in their planning and necessary capital investments for this innovative technology, a federal grant program is needed to ensure that these new options are fully considered alongside traditional infrastructure options.”

The letter’s 14 signatories include a number of associations that have been actively working to advance eVTOL aircraft, including the Community Air Mobility Initiative, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Vertical Flight Society, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and others.

Last week, NBAA also announced the formation of an AAM roundtable to advocate for the interests of the on-demand air mobility sector. Founding members of the roundtable include Eve Air Mobility, Hillwood Aviation, Hyundai Urban Air Mobility, Joby Aviation, Lilium, and Wisk, who held an inaugural meeting in February 2021 and are planning additional meetings throughout the year.

According to NBAA, the roundtable will provide a voice for original equipment manufacturers developing eVTOL aircraft and other systems, with a focus on “airport access, airspace management, local community engagement, and other critical priorities.”