The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released its three-year plan to enable and scale advanced air mobility (AAM) operations in Ohio. The strategy builds on years of research and planning, including Ohio’s 2021 study on the economic impact of AAM and the 2022 statewide framework that identified how the technology could be introduced. While those efforts helped define the opportunity and align partners around a shared vision, this new plan outlines the steps to turn that vision into reality.
ODOT’s strategy is organized around six key areas: infrastructure, policy, testing and operations, workforce development, funding, and public engagement. Together, these areas create a roadmap for moving from planning and analysis to real-world implementation.
A major part of the plan is creating a statewide digital network that will allow aircraft operators, service providers, and public agencies to securely share information. This system will support advanced operations such as Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights and more efficient transportation and delivery services. By connecting communication, tracking, and traffic-management systems, Ohio aims to create a safer and more coordinated environment for integrated aircraft operations.
With this plan, Ohio will create the right conditions for AAM to grow from isolated demonstrations into a scalable transportation and logistics ecosystem. Success will depend not only on innovative aircraft, but also on building the physical infrastructure, digital systems, policies, and partnerships needed to support long-term growth, positioning the state at the forefront of the next era of aviation.
