The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled its inaugural strategy and action plan for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), plugging a roadmap with accompanying recommendations to position the United States as a global aviation leader.
AAM represents the next stage in the nation’s aerospace sector, delivering on highly specialized, improved transit and transportation using a variety of innovative technologies to unleash the United States’ potential. The National Strategy and Action Plan in tandem provide 40 recommendations to integrate automated aviation-centric technologies to efficiently transport people and packages.
While the core technologies needed to realize DOT’s vision predominantly revolve around deploying new aircraft models typically operating below 5,000 feet, the AAM sector will cast a broader net to ensure aviation supremacy. Plans include leveraging a skilled workforce, upgraded infrastructure and clear regulatory frameworks to enhance transportation services, bolster cargo operations and advance both medical and military transportation through automation and innovation.
The AAM National Strategy is built on six pillars guiding deployment and development of future airspace advancements: Airspace, Infrastructure, Security, Community Planning and Engagement, Workforce and Automation. A total of 40 actions have been recommended through the strategy designed to facilitate seamless, efficient progress in achieving core aerospace goals and establishing a stable foundation for national policy.
For the Airspace pillar, DOT will capitalize on modernizing air traffic control systems, including researching and developing new ways to improve and manage communications between aircraft and controllers. Ensuring the free flow of information will be a priority in addition to establishing the means and responsibilities of third parties supporting air traffic operations.
The Infrastructure pillar will use existing regulations, standards, policies and processes to facilitate the use of infrastructure for AAM operations. This includes identifying needed resources for supporting autonomous and remote piloting operations, solidifying vertiport design and developing enhanced weather detection, forecasting and reporting network capabilities. In addition, USDOT will research the energy infrastructure needs to facilitate effective AAM operations and collaborate with industry to secure reliable energy distribution methods.
Security will continue to serve as a cornerstone principle for aerospace operations. USDOT will continue to enforce safety measures using existing frameworks to inform policy, monitor intelligence reports, perform recurring risk assessments and ensure all personnel are adequately vetted for the AAM network. Measures will include aligning physical screening requirements with existing programs, extending screening services and creating a group to handle all cybersecurity aspects critical to protecting AAM operations and sensitive data.
For community planning and engagement, DOT will highlight the need for consistent communication and interacting with the community to ensure transparency regarding AAM operations. The department will research and develop tool to help communities and other critical entities evaluate noise impacts and promote accessibility for people with disabilities. Additional plans will involve identifying and publishing use cases where AAM will support public safety, disaster response, medical transportation and other needs.
DOT will further develop the workforce in anticipation of full rollout of the AAM network by developing an action plan to determine future workforce impacts, address needs and provide needed resources. AAM will be considered in national strategies that promote innovation and excellence while the department promotes workforce development programs in primary, secondary and post-secondary levels. The department will also update Standard Occupational Classification codes to incorporate profiles for AAM-related careers.
The final pillar featured in the National Strategy – Automation – includes a series of actions dedicated to incorporating automation as a primary driver for AAM network success. This includes developing an aviation autonomy roadmap and coordinating government aircraft testing and evaluation efforts to accelerate safe AAM aircraft to market. DOT will research, develop and implement processes to identify both benefits and risks of automation technologies. In addition, the department will determine the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of virtual testing to develop an understanding of widescale use of autonomous aircraft and associated operations.
The AAM Action Plan – published in coordination with the National Strategy – will be the primary mechanism responsible for implementing the Strategy’s recommendations. This includes a series of action items across four strategic action phases to advance research, stakeholder engagement, policy development and technical deployment. The phases – referred to as LIFT – include:
- Leverage existing programs to support innovation and begin operations.
- Initiate engagement with partners, research and development and smart planning.
- Forge new policy and models responsive to public needs.
- Transform the aviation ecosystem.
The LIFT approach provides a series of steps and purposeful actions to accelerate and achieve full deployment of the AAM network over the next few decades. According to federal officials, these projects will ultimately introduce innovative aircraft, develop affordable flight options, build and adapt smart infrastructure and enable regional air service connecting communities across the nation.
Photo by Miguel Cuenca from Pexels
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