Washington, D.C.—The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation André Carson (D-IN). during today’s hearing titled, “America Builds: The State of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Industry.”
Find videos of Ranking Member Larsen’s and Carson’s opening statements here and here.
More information on the hearing can be found here.
Ranking Member Larsen:
Thank you, Chair Nehls and Ranking Member Carson, for holding today’s hearing on advanced air mobility (AAM)—an innovative and growing aviation sector.
But before we discuss the promising future of U.S. aviation, we must acknowledge the current state of the broader system—which looks much different than when this Subcommittee last met six months ago.
Since then, U.S. aviation has been pushed to unprecedented limits—from the tragic crash of UPS Flight 2976 near Louisville, to mass flight delays and cancellations across the country and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
However, thanks to the hardworking women and men of the entire aviation workforce, the traveling public’s safety remains the top priority.
These dedicated individuals worked longer hours, under immense pressure and scrutiny, and for many, without pay—yet they never wavered from their service to this country and their duty to ensure aviation safety.
We have to avoid history repeating itself.
That is why I am pleased to join Chairman Graves to introduce the Aviation Funding Solvency Act.
This bipartisan bill guarantees the aviation safety workforce will be paid and keeps the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operating during government shutdowns.
The future of U.S. aviation and AAM depends on a fully staffed and resourced FAA. Our legislation will prevent any lapses in the agency’s ability to focus on safety.
This committee first explored the safe integration of new entrants, including AAM aircraft, nearly a decade ago.
What was once considered aviation technology of the distant future is happening now, and these innovations are emerging in U.S. skies.
While the potential applications of AAM—from cargo transport to passenger air taxi service—are promising, we must always prioritize aviation safety.
Which is why, the 2024 Reauthorization directed the FAA to release a final Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) outlining powered-lift aircraft certification, operating and pilot qualification requirements.
The SFAR creates the regulatory framework necessary to allow AAM operations to safely scale, so the U.S. can remain a leader in aerospace innovation.
Mr. Clark, I was glad to see BETA’s recent test flight of the ALIA CX300 in Northwest Washington state. I look forward to hearing more about your experience navigating the FAA’s SFAR process.
Although certification is the main goal for many AAM stakeholders, it cannot be the only objective.
The successful adoption of AAM technology depends on community acceptance and states’ ability to prepare for future operations.
Therefore, the AAM industry and FAA must have early, transparent and meaningful engagement with states and local communities to ensure their priorities and any concerns are addressed.
The 2024 FAA reauthorization creates opportunities for the voices of local communities to be heard—including by extending an FAA pilot program that I championed to help states plan for AAM infrastructure development.
Mr. Pecoraro, I’m interested in hearing more about the important role of states in AAM infrastructure development, and NASAO’s recommendations on improving the partnership with the FAA and industry.
The emergence of AAM also helps to create jobs in U.S. aviation, with the latest projections estimating more than 280,000 high-paying AAM jobs by 2035.
To help meet this demand, the 2024 FAA reauthorization invests $60 million annually to grow the pilot, aviation maintenance and manufacturing workforces.
However, the Trump administration has indefinitely delayed these popular and effective FAA workforce grants.
A highly skilled aviation workforce is critical to allowing the U.S. to leverage AAM technology and compete globally, and I urge the Administration to finally issue these grants.
With each passing year, climate change continues to be a growing threat to millions of Americans.
The electric propulsion systems employed by many AAM aircraft rely on low and zero-emission technologies, which can significantly reduce the harmful impacts of greenhouse gases.
Continued federal investment in cleaner aviation technologies is critical to our leadership in AAM, and good for local communities.
Mr. Painter, I look forward to learning more about Wisk’s electric propulsion aircraft and the necessary charging infrastructure to support your operations.
With safety as the guiding principle, the 2024 FAA reauthorization establishes the necessary framework to safely scale AAM in the United States, grow the aviation workforce, invest in cleaner aviation technology, and partner with states and local communities on future operations.
Thank you again to today’s witnesses.
I look forward to exploring how we all can support the safe and efficient integration of these new airspace entrants.
Ranking Member Carson:
Good morning and welcome to our witnesses for joining today’s hearing on the state of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.
New airspace entrants, like AAM, promise to deliver new and exciting societal and economic benefits to our constituents.
Whether it’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles or more conventional aircraft using alternative propulsion, this advanced technology has the potential to improve mobility options—particularly in dense urban environments like Indianapolis—boost local businesses and job opportunities and reduce surface congestion.
But to make this vision a reality, we must ensure all stakeholders—including labor, state governments and impacted local communities and legacy airspace users—remain at the table.
Using the framework created by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization, the administration and the AAM industry must clearly demonstrate that these innovations can safely operate in U.S. skies without placing additional strain on the system and aviation workforce.
Which is why having a robustly funded and staffed FAA is so important.
The recent 43-day government shutdown—the longest in our nation’s history—had significant consequences for U.S. aviation and is a stark reminder of what is at stake if the FAA is made into a political pawn.
A government shutdown should never affect our air travel or force the FAA’s talented workforce to go without pay the way it did earlier last month.
That’s why Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, Chairman Nehls and I proposed the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, which will ensure the FAA’s aviation safety employees are paid and the agency can continue its important work.
The safe deployment of advanced air mobility (AAM) into U.S. airspace relies on a resilient and modernized infrastructure.
Whether that’s physical ground infrastructure, like vertiports for eVTOLs, or the digital collision avoidance systems that air traffic controllers need to efficiently manage these new airspace users.
This year, Congress invested $12.5 billion into revamping the nation’s air traffic control system, and as part of those efforts, this administration and industry must consider how new entrants will be safely integrated into an already busy U.S. airspace.
Furthermore, the AAM industry and FAA should work with state governments to ensure that impacted communities have the resources and guidance they need to develop and deploy the necessary infrastructure.
Some AAM stakeholders are pursuing more autonomous technology, which we’ll hear more about during today’s discussion.
Although these innovations may help to reduce the burden on our aviation workforce, there is no replacement for the human role in ensuring safe and efficient airspace use.
The 2024 FAA Reauthorization lays the foundation for Congress, the FAA and industry to invest in the critical U.S. workforce that will design, maintain and deploy this new form of flight that should help supplement, not replace, the role of pilots in the cockpit.
Thanks to this Committee’s leadership to pass the 2024 Reauthorization, the FAA has created the framework that will propel a new generation of innovative aircraft.
But we must make sure that AAM is integrated into the national airspace system safely and equitably.
Thank you again to today’s witnesses; you all play an important role in achieving this goal.
I look forward to our discussion.
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