Aviation associations are applauding a new U.S. legislation focused on creating policies, procedures, and programs to support future eVTOL operations in the country.
The U.S. Senate passed the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act last week. The bill directs the department of transportation to create an interagency working group composed of leaders from key government agencies to focus on creating an advanced air mobility (AAM) network in the U.S.
The task force is expected to work with various stakeholders, including aviation operators and manufacturers, airports, labor groups, consumer groups, and first responders, to develop recommendations that would guide the federal government’s role in AAM.
Beyond the initial aircraft certification and operations, the working group will explore economic and workforce opportunities, potential physical and digital security risks safety, and infrastructure development.
Both the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) applauded the bill, with Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA, stating that coordination at the government level will be needed to usher in this growing aviation sector.
“We applaud the Senate for passing the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act, which has broad bipartisan and bicameral support,” Bunce said in a press release. “We are very appreciative of all the work of those that championed the bill in the Senate.”
Ed Bolen, president and CEO of NBAA, acknowledged the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), for championing the bill.
“AAM is expanding the very definition of on-demand air mobility, and presenting the United States with the opportunity to enhance the country’s leadership in all aspects of aviation,” Bolen said.
In November, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its companion bill, which has slight differences from the Senate bill. With both chambers having passed their respective bills, GAMA said the chambers can now work to resolve the differences in each legislation, or one chamber can choose to pass the other bill. Once the same bill is passed by both chambers, it can go to the president to be signed into law.
“We are on the cusp of the future of aviation, and it is our hope that Congress can work expeditiously to get the bill finalized so that we can further develop and grow the advanced air mobility sector,” Bunce said.
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