Surf Air Mobility, a US air mobility platform, has joined the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT) Consortium as a member organisation. Surf Air Mobility is the first Part 135 passenger operator to join the consortium.

Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based air mobility platform. With its AI-enabled SurfOS software, Surf Air Mobility provides technology designed to support the modernisation of air operations and the adoption of next-generation aircraft. The company currently operates one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States by scheduled departures and provides private charter services. Together, these businesses provide the operational scale and real-world operating data to validate and deploy its software. These capabilities position Surf Air Mobility as a leader shaping a more efficient, connected and accessible future for aviation.

The CAAT is a national initiative between the Texas A&M University System and the FAA. The consortium is designed to bring together government, academia and industry participants to advance the safe integration of emerging electric aircraft, autonomous systems and advanced aviation technologies into the national airspace system.

As a consortium member, Surf Air Mobility will: be eligible to respond to FAA-funded task orders exclusive to consortium members; have visibility into FAA-sponsored research priorities, emerging aviation technology needs and evaluation pathways available to CAAT member organisations; participate in FAA-member discussions and working groups shaping future solicitations; and collaborate on opportunities with academic, industry, nonprofit and government partners across the consortium.

Deanna White, CEO of Surf Air Mobility, says: “Surf Air Mobility is building an intelligent operating system for air mobility, and the CAAT gives us a direct connection to the FAA's research and development priorities that will shape the future of aviation. Membership puts us alongside the organisations defining how next-generation aviation technologies integrate into the national airspace and positions us to leverage the impact of our operational, data and AI-enabled software capabilities.”

Albert Bejarano, acting associate director for Center of Advanced Aviation Technologies, adds: “CAAT was established to bring government, academia and industry together to support the safe integration of advanced aviation technologies into the national airspace system. Surf Air Mobility brings a valuable industry perspective through its real-world aviation operations, operational data and software-enabled capabilities. Its participation strengthens the consortium's ability to support FAA-sponsored research, working group discussions and future technology evaluation efforts.”