The NBAA has welcomed the introduction in the US House of Representatives of a bill to facilitate the expansion of advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure.

Introduced by house transportation and infrastructure aviation subcommittee chairman Rep Rick Larsen, ranking aviation subcommittee member Garret Graves and Rep Dina Titus, the bipartisan Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernisation Act (AAIM Act) directs the US Secretary of Transportation to create a pilot programme to offer planning and construction grants to support the development of the necessary infrastructure to support AAM operations, including public use vertiports.

Powered by electric or hybrid propulsion, AAM offers significant potential to improve mobility and complement existing public transportation networks while reducing congestion and carbon and noise emissions. Studies indicate the AAM industry may support nearly 300,000 new jobs and represent a $115 billion annual market by 2035.

The House bill results from advocacy efforts led by the NBAA with the support of a broad group of aviation stakeholders, to underscore the importance of beginning AAM planning and construction now so that the US can take full advantage of the technology. Through NBAA's AAM Roundtable, a forum established earlier this year for high level sector leaders to chart a course for integrating AAM technologies into the nation's airspace and infrastructure, NBAA is raising awareness of the industry with leading policymakers.

“The successful integration of AAM will depend upon comprehensive planning, construction and community input,” says NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “The targeted investments proposed in this legislation will assist US state, local and tribal governments in creating new, innovative and sustainable air transportation networks throughout our country that will support hundreds of thousands of green jobs while also ensuring our nation's global leadership in aviation.”

The grant programme would also help fund the safe integration of AAM into the nation's airspace, leverage existing public transportation facilities to support AAM operations and develop inclusive community engagement programmes to assist with incorporating the technology into existing infrastructure.

The bill provides a path for communities to apply for construction funding for vertiports and associated infrastructure after completing the planning process. Including construction funding in the legislation is critical to ensuring that a diverse set of communities have access to AAM and its mobility benefits.

“Through our Grassroots Action Center, we encourage NBAA members to let their elected officials know the importance of this legislation to successful AAM integration," explains Bolen. "When members of Congress hear directly from constituents, our message is most effective.”