WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced bipartisan legislation introduced by Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Garret Graves (LA-06), Dina Titus (NV-01) and Troy Balderson (OH-12) to enable communities across the United States to plan for the emergence of advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicles in the national airspace. The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act passed the House by a final vote of 338 to 73 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act establishes a two-year pilot initiative that invests $25 million in competitive grants for state, local and Tribal governments to develop and deploy AAM infrastructure.

“Congress must stay focused on investing in an innovative aviation system that creates jobs and will last into the 2050s and beyond,” said Larsen, Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee. “This bipartisan bill enables communities in the Pacific Northwest and across the country to plan for safe integration of advanced air mobility vehicles into the airspace and existing transportation networks, reduce emissions and grow the nation’s leadership in the global aerospace industry.”

“The innovations coming out of the aviation sector are incredible,” said Graves, Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee. “The problem is that the only places we will see these technologies is in Star Wars films or in other countries. This bill helps to ensure we are ready for the technology and benefits that come along with it.”

“I’m proud that the AAIM Act passed out of the House today,” said Titus, a member of the Aviation Subcommittee. “This bill will bolster the emerging advanced air mobility field with the development of vertiports, electric charging and fueling stations, and connectivity to existing public transportation and multimodal hubs. As many organizations are exploring vertical takeoff vehicle concepts, the grants provided through the AAIM Act will assist cities like Las Vegas with laying the groundwork for future AAM infrastructure and operations.”

“A leader in transportation research and innovation, Ohio is the nation’s largest aerospace industry supplier. This bipartisan legislation gives cities and states, like Ohio, the needed flexibility to anticipate and address the transportation challenges of both today and the future. Most importantly, it embraces possibility,” said Balderson, a member of the Aviation Subcommittee. “I am proud to join Chairman Larsen and Ranking Member Graves to support this forward-looking bill.”

Several key aerospace stakeholders expressed their support for the bipartisan Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act.

“The Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization (AAIM) Act will help ensure communities across the country are prepared to accommodate, in the near future, advanced mobility electric technology aircraft that will require unique infrastructure requirements to move goods and passengers. “We applaud the foresight and leadership of Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA),” said Jim Coon, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.

“We applaud the House of Representatives for passing this important legislation, which will support the future of on-demand aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The targeted investments outlined in this bill will assist in creating new, innovative and sustainable air transportation networks throughout our country that will support hundreds of thousands of green jobs while also ensuring our nation's global leadership in aviation."

“As major owners and operators of our nation’s infrastructure networks, counties play a key role in ensuring the safe, efficient movement of people and goods,” said National Association of Counties (NACo) Executive Director Matthew Chase. “We applaud the U.S. House passage of Representative Larsen’s advanced air mobility legislation. This bill will support county governments’ ability to connect people and places and expand access to vital services, especially in underserved and rural areas.”

Key aerospace stakeholders that support the bipartisan legislation include

• Aerospace Industries Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Community Air Mobility Initiative
• General Aviation Manufacturers Association
• Helicopter Association International
• National Air Transportation Association
• National Association of Counties
• National Association of State Aviation Officials
• National Business Aviation Association
• National League of Cities
• Vertical Flight Society

Additional Resources

In April 2021, Larsen and Graves led an Aviation Subcommittee hearing to explore recent advances in the U.S. aerospace and the National Airspace System, including emerging airspace entrants like AAM. For more information on the hearing, click here.

For the full text of the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act, click here.

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