In a move lauded by business and general aviation groups, the U.S Senate approved a bill calling on the Department of Transportation to establish an advanced air mobility (AAM) interagency working group to coordinate on safety, infrastructure, security, and federal investment for the nascent sector.
Senate voice-vote passage of the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act (S.516) on Wednesday follows House approval of a similar bill, H.R.1339, in November. This week’s Senate action brings the measure closer to adoption after differences between the bills are ironed out or one of the congressional chambers opts to simply adopt the other’s version.
“As advanced air mobility continues to develop, it will be essential for federal government agencies and departments to be coordinated and prepared to usher in this rapidly developing sector of aviation,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce.
NBAA also supported the bill, saying it would facilitate policies, procedures, and programs to support the integration of AAM into the transportation system. “AAM is expanding the very definition of on-demand air mobility and presenting the U.S. with the opportunity to enhance the country’s leadership in all aspects of aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We welcome this legislation, and we thank the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Arizona), for championing this exciting new technology.”