AAM/UAM

Utah Launches Groundbreaking Air Transportation System

Kim Stevens

Utah’s aerospace and defense association, 47G, in partnership with the Utah Governor’s Office, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the Utah Inland Port Authority and industry stakeholders have launched a game-changing initiative called “Project Alta.” The Air Logistics Transportation Alliance (ALTA) is a collaborative partnership with a mission to establish an advanced air mobility (AAM) system for Utah. AAM is a new form of transportation that uses electric aircraft to safely and seamlessly move people and packages.

Project Alta seeks to transform how Utahns travel, and packages are delivered by 2034.

Project Alta seeks to create a well-functioning transportation system in the air that connects seamlessly with Utah’s transportation system on the ground. The alliance aims to expand existing drone package delivery to more Utah communities, utilize drones for cargo transport, and establish regional air taxi service that move people by 2034. With Utah slated to host the world for the Winter Olympic Games in 2034, efficiently moving people and goods will be critically important.

“Utah has unique assets—growth, tourism, business, beautiful national parks—47G’s work to establish statewide air mobility solutions will allow visitors from around the world to access everything Utah has to offer,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “Aerospace, defense and cyber companies make up 20% of Utah’s economy. 47G Project Alta has a mandate from the state to lead our advanced air mobility strategy, positioning Utah to become a global leader in this fast-growing industry.”

Utah stands out as the one of the only states in the country undertaking a comprehensive, statewide approach supported at the highest levels of state and local government, industry and academia. Utah legislators have enacted forward-thinking policies to create a regulatory framework in which advanced air mobility technologies can flourish. They have passed laws enabling the creation of air mobility systems and directed UDOT to create an “AAM sandbox” that will accelerate these technologies in a safe testing environment. To date, state legislators have appropriated over $3 million for AAM initiatives.

“Project Alta represents a collaborative, public-private partnership of industry and government stakeholders seeking to establish the first nationally recognized multi-modal transportation system with air mobility as a core tenet,” said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. “By leveraging our entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge technologies, we will attract investment, accelerate the development of critical infrastructure, and enable the deployment of aircraft that make our transportation system truly multimodal.”

Dozens of Utah-based companies play an active and integral role in the global AAM market:

  • Zipline – Partnered with Intermountain Health to deliver medicine to homes via drone
  • Hexcel – Supplies carbon fiber for air taxis made by Archer Aviation
  • Electric Power Systems – Provides cutting-edge batteries to various electric aircraft manufacturers
  • Albany Engineered Composites – Develops structural components for air taxis made by Beta Technologies
  • Intergalactic – Manufactures thermal management systems for Embraer’s Eve aircraft

“During my decade in Congress, I had the privilege of serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where I played a key role enacting legislation that protected our national security,” said former Congressman Chris Stewart, chair of 47G. “47G Project Alta’s ground-breaking work will not only improve Utahns’ mobility but also protect our national security by creating a national model for air mobility collaboration that can be replicated around the country.”

Nation-leading work requires the right companies and the right people. To that end, 47G recently announced the strategic hiring of a former senior ranking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official to oversee Project Alta. Chris Metts has held numerous positions during his 31 years at the FAA, including time overseeing AAM activities nationally. Metts has authored AAM research studies for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and brings a wealth of experience to Utah.

“I have known Chris Metts for decades and have found him to be an innovative and collaborative leader who understands the issues, seeks consensus and can hit the ground running,” said former FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Project Alta Chair. “Chris is an exceptional leader who will prioritize safety and security above all else. We are lucky to have him leading this generational initiative.”

FlightHorizon Selected to Provide Airspace Management and Detect-and-Avoid for Osage Nation’s Skyway36 Droneport

Kim Stevens

Vigilant Aerospaces’ FlightHorizon airspace management and uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system has been selected as the airspace management system for the Skyway36 droneport in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Skyway36 is a leading droneport in the United States and serves as an “airport for drones” and for larger Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, like air taxis.

Vigilant Aerospace is a provider of multi-sensor detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). With FlightHorizon, Skyway36 will be able to track and coordinate drones, detect intruding aircraft and provide a safe environment for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight of drones, which is essential for growing the UAS industry.

Skyway36 is the Osage Nation’s aerospace innovation zone, providing dedicated facilities for UAS flights. It is designed to support advanced air mobility and drone missions including survey drones, first responder drones, autonomous delivery aircraft and other missions. The facility includes a state-of-the-art UAS indoor test facility operated by Windshape, hangar and office space under development, a 3,000-foot runway suitable for larger, fixed-wing drones, and a certified helipad for both conventional helicopters and for new electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs).

“Skyway36 is working to provide and build premium infrastructure and this partnership with Vigilant Aerospace and its FlightHorizon system helps to keep us at the forefront of the industry. As an officially designated Tech Hub by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Tulsa region and our droneport can play an important role in the national development of autonomous systems,” said Russell Goff, CEO of Osage, LLC.

The site is managed by DronePort Network, under contract to Osage LLC and is the first commercial node on the Skyway Range Flight Corridor, a 114-nautical mile drone corridor and one of the most ambitious advanced air mobility projects in the nation. Skyway Range consists of four major nodes for autonomous flight testing along multiple routes and is supported in part by a grant from the US Economic Development Administration.

“As autonomous flight gathers momentum, we’re seeing a growing number of flights from droneports like Skyway36,” said Craig Mahaney, CEO of DronePort Network. “To scale safely and successfully, we must ensure an environment designed to enable long-distance drone flights, air traffic monitoring and advanced safety systems. Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon allows Skyway36 to provide these services and to attract more operators by providing a world-class facility and technology for a wide variety of uncrewed flight operations and testing.”

Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace noted that Skyway36 provides a significant capability not just regionally but nationally for furthering autonomous flight Installing FlightHorizon at one of the nation’s first commercial droneports is a milestone for the industry and helps to set the standard for shared infrastructure at droneports everywhere. “Being the first node on the Skyway Range Flight Corridor also provides significant opportunities to make Skyway36 and this region a national proving ground.”

FlightHorizon is based on two NASA patents and fuses data from a range of sources including aircraft transponders, radar, drone autopilots, and live FAA data to create a single picture of airspace around a drone. The software predicts trajectories and provides standards-compliant avoidance commands to the remote pilot.

Blade Air Mobility Partners with Ocean Casino Resort to Offer Direct Flights from Manhattan to Atlantic City

Kim Stevens

Blade Air Mobility, Inc. announced its partnership with Ocean Casino Resort (“Ocean”) to fly Ocean’s guests by helicopter directly between Manhattan and Ocean’s dedicated rooftop helipad in Atlantic City all summer long.

Guests can book seats for $695 each way, beginning on Saturday, May 25, and every Saturday and Sunday in July and August through Labor Day Weekend.

“This is a natural extension for Blade to complement its leisure and airport routes in the Northeast,” said Roisin Branch, Chief Marketing Officer of BLADE. “We have seen a meaningful increase in charter requests from Manhattan to Atlantic City and are excited to make the flights accessible to a broader audience over the summer.”

Passengers will enjoy a seamless 40-minute flight from Blade Lounge West in Manhattan to Ocean’s newly constructed helipad located on the roof of Ocean, where an Ocean team member will meet them upon arrival, with dedicated concierge service during their stay and a complimentary suite upgrade.

Moët & Chandon is Ocean’s official champagne partner for this launch, and every passenger who books a flight will receive a complimentary bottle of Moët Imperial champagne.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Blade to launch Ocean’s by-the-seat helicopter service throughout the summer,” said Bill Callahan, General Manager for Ocean. “Our customers have enjoyed privately chartered trips by Blade since we built our helipad last year, however, adding a best-in-class travel experience that allows for individual seat purchases provides yet another fantastic amenity to our award-winning beachfront resort.”

Virginia Hires First Advanced Air Mobility Program Manager

Kim Stevens

Photo above – Scott Denny.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has hired its first Advanced Air Mobility Program Manager who will help lead the way for this new mode of transportation.  S. Scott Denny has been selected for this new position within the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV).

Scott began his position April 10, 2024, and is already in contact with AAM manufacturers across the United States to determine how to best support and welcome the Advanced Air Mobility industry to Virginia.

“We conducted an extensive nationwide search to fill this unique position, and the perfect candidate was just down the hall from my office,” said DOAV Director Greg Campbell.  “Scott has the right mix of experience and skills to really make Virginia a leader in this burgeoning industry.”

In addition to his 23 years of experience as a senior aviation planner with the DOAV, Scott is a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, and he has served as both a county planner and as a code compliance officer.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in governmental administration.  This skill set will serve him well as he works with localities on zoning issues, writing model ordinances, and planning for the operation of AAM vehicles in the Virginia air transportation system.

Scott Denny said, “The advancement of aviation has been my lifelong professional goal, so to have an opportunity to develop and promote this new form of air transportation is simply amazing!  I’m looking forward to working with airports, localities, federal and state agencies as well as industry to ensure the safe, effective and efficient integration of Advanced Air Mobility into our air transportation system.”

DronePort Network Announces Strategic Partnership with Vigilant Aerospace to Provide Airspace Management at Drone Ports Across U.S.

Kim Stevens

Vigilant Aerospace has been announced as a strategic partner by DronePort Network to provide Airspace Management (ASM), Detect-and-Avoid (DAA), and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) for future drone port projects throughout the United States. Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon solution provides the advanced situational awareness required for safe, scalable autonomous flight.

DronePort Network is a system integration and infrastructure development company focused on helping regions and communities transition to the next generation of the aviation economy. They do this through the creation of “drone ports” – dedicated autonomous aviation ecosystems primed for the development, testing and deployment of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS or drones) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.

“The growth around autonomous flight is enormous, and regions and communities can reap significant benefits in commercial activity, new jobs and new service opportunities,” said Craig Mahaney, CEO, DronePort Network. “We’re at a pivotal time for building the critical infrastructure needed to support this, and Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon provides an important solution for ensuring safe skies for autonomous flight. We’re collectively pioneering game-changing aviation environments with far-reaching impact.”

The company works with regional centers to leverage existing infrastructure, such as airfields and hangers, to build dedicated drone port facilities for a wide range of uses – from advanced autonomous flight testing and training centers to new air services across both the private and public sector. DronePort Network provides a full range of services required to safely integrate drones and related services into the economy and national airspace – operational, regulatory and technology – reflecting the broad range of considerations around safe, large-scale autonomous flight. This includes guidance for meeting strict FAA requirements and selecting appropriate technology partners.

“There is immense opportunity for public-private partnerships throughout the US to build infrastructure to accommodate the next generation of aviation. DronePort Network is a perfect example of this innovative approach, bringing together the expertise necessary to make commercial autonomous flight a reality,” said Kraettli Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace. “We’re thrilled to launch this strategic partnership and are excited to be a part of the future development of drone ports in the US.”

FlightHorizon provides airspace managers with a 2D or 3D view of all aircraft in the selected airspace using a combination of sensors and data sources to create an airspace safety picture for pilots, airspace managers and command centers, required to meet FAA regulatory requirements for advanced UAS flights.

Virginia Takes Major Action to Prepare Airport Infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility

Kim Stevens

To prepare the 65 public-use airports in Virginia for the arrival of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles, the Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) and the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) are making funding available to support bringing 3-phase electrical power and broadband connectivity to these airports.

Having 3-phase power and broadband connectivity at all airports in Virginia is vital to the operations of AAM service providers.  Three-phase electric enables providers to recharge the batteries that supply power to the aircraft, and broadband connectivity enables command, control and communication features that enhance the safe operation of these aircraft.

The Board’s action makes up to $200,000 available to each airport that is interested in improving its readiness for the launch of AAM services.  Under this initiative, eligible projects approved by the VAB during the current calendar year will benefit from a state participation rate of 95 percent, meaning the airport will be responsible for just 5 percent of the project expenditures.  (Typically, the DOAV provides up to 80 percent of approved costs of utility-type projects and requires that 20 percent of the cost be borne by the airport owner.)

“Virginia wants to remain a national leader in aviation, and the action of the VAB in approving funding for 3-phase power and broadband connectivity is a tangible demonstration of this,” said Greg Campbell, director of the DOAV.  “We want everyone in the nascent AAM industry to know that Virginia not only welcomes them but is financially supporting the industry and our communities by ensuring critical infrastructure is available to them for the safe operation of these vehicles.”

While the Commonwealth of Virginia does not own any of the 65 public-use airports in the state, the DOAV provides about $40 million in annual financial assistance to cities, towns, counties and other governmental subdivisions for the planning, development, construction, and operation of airports, landing fields, and other aviation facilities.

VAB Chairman Randall Burdette said, “Airports are not only important economic engines for their communities, but they also provide tremendous quality of life benefits for everyone in those communities.  The aviation industry in Virginia employs more than 146,600 people and generates more than $25 billion in economic activity annually.  Studies show that Advanced Air Mobility will add thousands of new high-paying jobs and another $16 billion to the Virginia economy.  Investing in critical infrastructure to support AAM at our 65 public-use airports will provide tremendous dividends and change the way Virginians move from point A to point B.”

VI&E Solutions Appoints Jeremiah Behling as Board Chairman

Kim Stevens

Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions has continued to grow its Board of Directors by appointing Jeremiah Behling “JB” as Board Chairman. JB brings a wealth of knowledge from the financial industry and will help direct and advise VI&E Solutions as the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry matures.

Jeremiah Behling

“We are honored to have Jeremiah not only on our Board but leading it,” said Sheena Banker, VI&E Solutions Chief Marketing Officer. “Jeremiah’s moral compass will help guide the Board and lead VI&E Solutions into the future.”

Jeremiah Behling is the Founder and President of Utmost Capital Connection, a mergers and acquisition advisory firm specializing in succession transactions for privately held businesses. His prior leadership experience includes strategic, financial and operational roles in investment banking, family office/private equity investing and corporate banking.

Concurrently, JB serves as the Owner and President of a Milwaukee area machine tool sensor company, Techna-Tool. As a volunteer, JB serves as the School Board Chair of a private, hybrid, Christian school, The Augustine Academy.

Outside the office, JB enjoys outdoor adventure, especially alpine and cross-country skiing, theology, and cooking and eating breakfast with his wife Cate and four young children. He and his family reside in southeast Wisconsin.

Founded in 2021, Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions is connecting communities with best-in-class eVTOL infrastructure technology to ensure society is ready for the future. VI&E Solutions offers three modular vertiport designs and charging stations for electric vehicles across all mediums: air, land and sea. By tailoring to specific customer needs and incorporating the latest technologies, their work positively impacts clients and the communities they serve globally. Join the future with VI&E Solutions.

Wisk and the City of Sugar Land, Texas, Partner to Bring Autonomous Air Taxis to the Greater Houston Region

Kim Stevens

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company, Wisk Aero, and the City of Sugar Land, Texas, have entered into a partnership to bring autonomous Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to the Greater Houston region.

Under this new partnership, Wisk and Sugar Land will identify and assess a location at the Sugar Land Regional Airport for the development of vertiport infrastructure that would allow for Wisk’s autonomous air taxi operations. This initial partnership will lay the foundation and act as a gateway for the establishment of a larger network across the Greater Houston region.

Potential routes

“The Greater Houston area is experiencing some of the highest population growth in the country, which calls for new and efficient ways to move across the region,” said Wisk CEO, Brian Yutko. “Sugar Land’s strategic location within the Greater Houston region, and its forward-thinking city leadership, make it an ideal partner for us and one that is uniquely positioned as an early leader in the launch of air taxi services. We look forward to working with Sugar Land, local ecosystem stakeholders, and the FAA on both ground and air infrastructure, as we bring autonomous air taxi services to the Greater Houston region.”

Sugar Land City Manager, Michael W. Goodrum, said that Sugar Land is committed to blazing new trails, and believes their relentless approach has caught the attention of the private sector as they’ve sought innovative solutions to mobility in our community through efforts like Advanced Air Mobility. “We are excited to partner with Wisk Aero on a new concept that just might change the way we travel — not only in our city but across the world. Sugar Land is a great place to start in the Houston region, because we want to be a city where innovation is second nature, where creativity is encouraged and where change is embraced. We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Wisk Aero to join us on this journey.”

Wisk and Sugar Land will engage in a number of activities to advance the overarching goal of the partnership.

Wisk will provide advice on technical needs for autonomous eVTOL operations, including infrastructure, training, ground operational procedures, and plans for potential site expansion.

Sugar Land will focus on integrating AAM into its long-term plans, championing community engagement, and establishing operational policy, such as infrastructure permitting and noise levels.

Together, the two organizations will explore incorporating maintenance and training facilities in Sugar Land and engage local and regional stakeholders to develop routes that connect Sugar Land to the Greater Houston region, such as downtown Houston and the Houston Airport System.

“I am thrilled to see a leading AAM Company like Wisk commit to the future of Advanced Air Mobility here in Texas,” said Texas State Representative David Cook. “These public-private partnerships are exactly what we hoped would result from the passage of our legislation during the 88th Legislative Session and solidifies Texas as a leader in this new technology space.”

West Virginia Poised to Lead in Advanced Air Mobility According to Recently Released Study

Kim Stevens

Vertx Partners has announced the release of a groundbreaking Deloitte study assessing West Virginia’s potential to become a hub for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The comprehensive study reveals key insights into the booming AAM market in the United States and positions West Virginia as a strategic player in this transformative industry.

Funded through a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant, the report delves into the emerging AAM industry set to revolutionize the transport of goods, services, and people. Forecasted to contribute $115 billion to the U.S. economy by 2035 and create over 280,000 high-paying jobs, AAM presents a significant opportunity for West Virginia’s economic and societal growth. While many national studies on AAM concentrate on urban applications, this report uniquely explores the potential and challenges of implementing AAM in rural settings.

Vertx team members, including President Sean Frisbee and VP of Operations Mary Cook, presented key findings of the study to state and local leaders in the Governor’s Conference Room on Monday. “This is a great opportunity for the state,” says Frisbee. “West Virginia has the chance to lead an industry and build out the template that will be used not only for rural West Virginians but also for rural America, as well.”

Mike Graney, Executive Director of the West Virginia Department of Economic Development, echoed the sentiment, stating, “AAM in West Virginia means job creation. AAM means workforce development. This study proves that we’re ready to take the next step in adopting these innovations.”

The Mingo County Redevelopment Authority (MCRA) is one organization helping lead the effort to bring AAM to the Mountain State. The CDS includes an AAM K-16 curriculum initiative led by the MCRA and Vertx Partners’ Randy Hefner. This initiative is cited as an example of West Virginia’s current AAM ecosystem and is considered a crucial component of its long-term AAM adoption strategy. The program includes AAM curriculum for K-12, Community and Technical Colleges, higher education, and the existing workforce, and promises to lead to new workforce opportunities.

“Mingo County is proud to be taking center stage in leading AAM operations in West Virginia,” says Leasha Johnson, Executive Director of the MCRA. “Our partnership with Vertx Partners has already guaranteed that we have a jumpstart on much of the nation in this field.”

Key Context:

● Industry Overview: Advanced Air Mobility is a system of transportation encompassing drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, providing essential access to underserved areas and creating specialized, high-paying jobs.

● West Virginia’s AAM Potential: With its strategic location in the heart of the East Coast, rugged landscape, and local demand for accessible transportation, the study identifies West Virginia as a potential driver and early adopter of AAM.

Four Pillars & Future Steps:

The study assesses four persistent factors that determine a locale’s potential to capitalize on AAM. After assessment, the study recommends action items to build on the existing pillars.

Here are a few of the key takeaways from the Deloitte study:

  • Ecosystem: The report highlights West Virginia’s distinct ecosystem that could enable
  • AAM with a strategic, state government-led approach that capitalizes on existing assets.
  • Funding: The study recommends leveraging existing federal and state funding
  • mechanisms with a call for additional dedicated funding for AAM activities.
  • Policy: The study acknowledges existing policies and legislative measures supportive of
  • AAM. The report recommends the creation of an AAM focal point within the state
  • necessary to become stewards of policy and funding, and to leverage new legislation to
  • support and attract the industry.
  • Infrastructure: The state’s initiatives for communication system interoperability and
  • investments in mobile airspace monitoring systems are highlighted. Expanding these
  • initiatives supports versatile and transportable AAM test environments.

The promise of an AAM revolution is no longer on the horizon; it’s in our skies. West Virginia stands on the threshold of a vast frontier, and the study provides knowledge to shape the future of statewide AAM operations.

To delve deeper into West Virginia’s AAM potential and explore more detailed findings, Vertx Partners invites you to read the full study here.

Volocopter Dazzles with First Flight in New York City

Kim Stevens

Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), completed its first flight test at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) in New York City (NYC) with its crewed Volocopter 2X. Hosted by the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Volocopter 2X participated in the world’s largest and first public event showcasing multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a city. Volocopter has now successfully and safely conducted flights in the heart of two of the busiest metropolitan hubs of the world, NYC and Singapore. The success of this flight is an affirmation of the company’s skillfulness to bring safe, quiet, and sustainable UAM to megacities worldwide.

With the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background, the Volocopter 2X electric air taxi flew in a smooth and quiet manner. Volocopter’s multicopter design is particularly suited for urban missions, producing zero emissions in flight and little noise pollution in a busy metropolis like NYC.

As part of the public showcase, the City of New York outlined a new vision for the future of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, seeking to reduce emissions, noise pollution, and improve the residents’ quality of life. It aims to reshape heliports such as DMH to accommodate eVTOL aircraft to diversify the city’s mobility options to reduce congestion, while still meeting the transport needs of one of the busiest cities in the world.

“The Adams Administration has been a leader in driving technology innovation and economic growth while simultaneously improving quality of life,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “EDC’s new strategy for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport reflects these priorities while making it an industry leader in the embrace of eVTOLS – a quieter and greener helicopter alternative – while at the same time facilitating maritime freight with last mile e-bike deliveries that takes trucks off the roads.”

“A New York City flight has always been on Volocopter’s mind when designing an eVTOL that could be safe and quiet enough to fly its busy skies,” said Christian Bauer, Managing Director of Volocopter. “Our flight in NYC proves that we have everything required to make this emerging technology flourish in this city. This event was an amazing opportunity to showcase how electric air taxis can elevate the quality of life in a city that never sleeps. We are confident this will open doors to air taxi commercial operations in more cities in the U.S., and we look forward to flying again soon in the Big Apple”.

In 2018, Volocopter conducted its maiden U.S. flight in Las Vegas. Since then, it has flown in Oshkosh, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tampa, and now in NYC. Volocopter expects to receive a final certification of its commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024. The company is also in the concurrent validation process with the FAA, which was submitted in 2020, and has been working with both authorities to bring urban air mobility to life.