FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 28, 2022
Contact:
Steve Fong (AAAA): (703) 400-3104
Alliance for Aviation Across America Welcomes the Passage of S. 516
Washington, DC – Today, the Alliance for Aviation Across America applauded the passage of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Coordination and Leadership Act, or S. 516, which would instruct the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create an interagency working group to plan and coordinate efforts related to the advancement of operation of AAM aircraft in the U.S. AAM technology represents an important area of growth and investment for a the general aviation industry, and includes everything from vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) vehicles, to drones, and other electric or hybrid powered aircraft.
“This legislation will help to bolster this innovative sector at a critical time, supporting mobility, jobs, economic activity, emergency preparedness, and many other critical services and benefits for communities across the nation,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America.
A companion bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (H.R. 1339) in November 2021, would similarly instruct the Department of Transportation to establish a working group to coordinate efforts related to the safety, operations, infrastructure, physical security, cybersecurity and federal investment necessary to bolster the AAM ecosystem in the U.S.
A recent study found that the market for AAM in the U.S. is estimated to reach $115 billion annually by 2035. These aircraft also have the potential to alleviate noise, reduce congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. General aviation industry leaders recently pledged to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
General aviation and local airports support more than 1.1 million American jobs, an economic impact of $247 billion per year, as well as numerous operations and services, such as disaster response, law enforcement, medical transport, search and rescue, crop protection, powerline maintenance, and passenger and goods transport.
The Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, national grassroots coalition of over 6,000 aviation and non-aviation groups and individuals across the country, including businesses, FBOs, small airports, elected officials, agricultural and charitable organizations, and leading industry and aviation groups. Formed in 2007, the organization is dedicated to spreading awareness and educating the public about the value of general aviation and local airports.