The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has formed a new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) committee focused on developing ground infrastructure and air charter operations for future electric aircraft.
NATA, which represents FBOs, Part 135 carriers, fractional ownership companies and other general aviation businesses, named members and leaders of the 14-member committee following an AAM town hall event the association hosted on Jan. 18. Craig Teasdale, Ferrovial Vertiports and Toni Drummond, Titan Aviation U.S., serve as committee co-chairs, representing infrastructure and flight operations, respectively.
The AAM committee will work on legislative and regulatory priorities, community education and industry relations. It joins other industry groups that have formed to advance the emerging electric-aircraft segment, including the NBAA AAM Roundtable and General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s Electric Propulsion & Innovation Committee.
“With the advent of emerging technologies, the aviation business industry needs a unified approach to modernization of both our infrastructure and operational framework,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “Communication, collaboration and cooperation across all aviation verticals over the next decade will be key to creating a healthy and vibrant AAM ecosystem.”
The town hall event in Washington brought together leaders of the association’s AAM, Air Charter, GA Airport, Safety and Environment committees to discuss operations, ground infrastructure, safety, security, maintenance and ground handling training relative to AAM.
“NATA was pleased to have a new opportunity to unite its various membership segments toward a common goal,” said Megan Eisenstein, NATA managing director of industry affairs and innovation, who is serving as the AAM Committee staff liaison. “It’s important for all aviation businesses to have an understanding, a voice and a vision for AAM integration into the current aviation ecosystem.”
Other members of the NATA AAM Committee are: Ryan Naru of Joby Aviation; Eric Newman, Atlantic Aviation; Nate Ward, Beta Technologies; David Newman; Philip Brady, Skyports; Tony LaCorte, Textron eAviation; Jim Wiley, X1 FBO; Donald Howell, Southern Sky Aviation; Evan Deahl, Alton Aviation Consultancy; Glen Geissinger, Lehigh Valley International Airport; Mike Friedman, Fire Technology Solutions; and Timothy Middleton, HMMH environmental and transportation consultancy.
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