FAA issues plan for advanced air mobility operations ‘at scale’ by 2028

The FAA has released an implementation plan detailing the steps it and others will need to take to safely enable advanced air mobility operations in the near term. The “Innovate28” plan includes various components and the sequence they will occur in for operations to be at scale at one or more sites by 2028. “The plan will serve as a foundation for making entry into service routine and predictable by maximizing the use of existing procedures and infrastructure. It addresses how the agency and partners will certify aircraft and pilots, manage airspace access, ensure pilot training, develop infrastructure, maintain security, and engage communities,” the FAA stated. “This plan shows how all the pieces will come together allowing the industry to scale with safety as the north star,” added Deputy FAA Administrator Katie Thomson. Companies in the eVTOL, or electric vertical takeoff and landing, aircraft sector include Joby Aviation (JOBY), Eve Holding (EVEX), Vertical Aerospace (EVTL), Lilium (LILM) and Archer Aviation (ACHR).