The U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, announced on Wednesday, December 17th, the launch of the country’s first National Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) strategy. This strategic blueprint is aimed at accelerating aircraft innovation and integrating related applications into Americans’ daily lives, defining Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as a transportation system encompassing a wide range of innovative technologies to efficiently transport passengers and goods at low altitudes below 5,000 feet.
Duffy emphasized that this strategy would “revolutionize” air travel and ensure that the United States remains a global leader in the aviation industry. The proposed concepts in the plan include short-distance air taxis and Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated grants and project participation applications under this strategic framework, with a deadline set for this Friday, and the final list of selected participants expected to be announced in the spring of next year.
During a press conference in Washington, several officials, including FAA Deputy Administrator for Airports and Chief International Assistant Secretary Daniel Edwards, White House Chief Technology Policy Officer Michael Kratsios, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau, Republican Federal Congressman Tracey Mann from Kansas, and several aviation industry experts, joined Duffy in discussing the strategy.
“We have led the world in the past, and for the next hundred years, we will continue to lead,” Duffy said. He also noted that the announcement was made on the 122nd anniversary of the Wright brothers’ historic first flight, adding significance to the occasion.
FAA Deputy Administrator Rocheleau stated, “This strategy effectively strengthens and accelerates innovation, enhances regulatory transparency, and solidifies America’s global position. The success of the first flight 122 years ago was due to American ingenuity, innovation, and spirit of collaboration. Today, we continue to follow this successful formula.”
Duffy and other officials detailed multiple aspects of the AAM national strategy, including the use of autonomous aircraft in public services, cargo delivery, and private or recreational transportation.
The AAM strategy also aims to improve rural and urban transportation and bring advancements to the military and medical fields, including emergency response.
To translate the vision into reality, the plan has proposed 40 specific recommendations. Duffy emphasized that the key to driving AAM development lies in upgrading infrastructure, establishing clear regulations, and building a skilled support system and workforce.
Furthermore, the strategy outlines the establishment of six core pillars to create an efficient AAM system, providing guidance for airspace management, infrastructure, security, workforce training, automation technology, and community planning and engagement.
Duffy remarked, “It has been around 80 years since the aviation industry and regulatory agencies last introduced a new type of aircraft like helicopters. For me, AAM represents the next leap in aviation history.”
This national-level strategy is expected to take approximately 10 years to fully implement.