The FAA has opened a new chapter in aviation with powered lift, the first new class of civil aircraft since the 1940s. This category supports diverse uses, such as air taxis, cargo transport, and emergency response.
Equipped with tilt rotors, electric vertical takeoff and landing( eVTOL) aircraft are engineered to lift off and land vertically like helicopters, then switch to forward flight using fixed wings, similar to airplanes. They are powered mainly by electric engines for quieter, low-emission flights.
With the new certification framework finalized, the FAA has established precise requirements for pilot training, operational standards, and aircraft certification, making air taxis and other AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) operations a near-term reality in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
The FAA’s Innovate28 (I28) Implementation Plan outlines steps to bring AAM into US airspace by 2028. Initially, powered-lift aircraft will operate from existing helipads and small vertiports, gradually scaling as the technology matures and dedicated vertiports are developed.
This phased rollout involves collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies to support airspace integration, public engagement, and supporting infrastructure development.
What This Means for Counties
For counties, the arrival of AAM signals both opportunities and new challenges. Since the FAA governs US airspace, counties have limited control over flight routes and airspace regulations.
However, counties will play a critical role in land-use planning and infrastructure development, from locating suitable vertiport sites to managing zoning and environmental standards for this emerging technology.
Counties near large urban hubs may see early vertiport development, while suburban and rural areas could leverage AAM for improved emergency response and on-demand transit options.
Community engagement will be essential as counties balance the benefits of AAM with public concerns around noise, safety, and environmental impact.
Clear communication about safety standards, low-emission technology, and noise control can help assuage community concerns. At the same time, active collaboration with the FAA and private sector partners ensures that AAM aligns with community goals.
By proactively shaping AAM’s local footprint, counties can guide this technological shift in a way that enhances mobility and brings new economic opportunities without compromising local priorities.
