In June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act (H.R. 6270). The bill will bolster current planning, coordination and implementation of AAM technologies and infrastructure in the United States.
House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (D-Arlington) introduced H.R. 6270 and said in a press release, These bipartisan bills enable communities to plan for the safe integration of emerging entrants into the U.S. airspace and existing transportation networks, foster greater collaboration and technological innovation and prepare the workforce to meet the demands of the aviation economy.
A few critical provisions from H.R. 6270:
- A pilot program will provide grants for the development and deployment of advanced air mobility infrastructure
- A report will be produced identifying potential vertiport locations, including necessary infrastructure
- Grants will consider geographic diversity, safe integration into airspace, leverage existing transportation systems and create jobs
- Grants will be awarded up to $1 million
- Eligible entities include state governments, tribes, airports, transit agencies and port authorities
Center of Excellence staff will continue to monitor and update as this act moves through Congress and hopefully to the President for signature.