What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) includes emerging air transportation technologies, such as air taxis and drones, that use cleaner, quieter systems to transport people and goods more efficiently. 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) encompasses a range of emerging uses, including:

• Urban Air Mobility (UAM),
• Regional Air Mobility (RAM),
• Public services, large-scale cargo delivery, and private or recreational aviation.

As the industry continues to evolve, AAM has the potential to expand access to air transportation, enable faster delivery of goods, and support critical services such as emergency response. Ultimately, it is expected to become part of an integrated, connected, and multimodal transportation system that improves overall mobility and accessibility.

• New Aircraft Types – electric and alternative fuel aircraft, including short or vertical takeoff and landing
• Flexible Operations – human piloted, remotely piloted or fully automated aircraft
• ​Modern infrastructure – systems that rely on both physical facilities (i.e. chargers) and digital technologies to operate safely in the national airspace.

The primary goal of AAM is to enhance the efficient movement of people and goods, particularly in underserved urban, regional, and rural areas and will transform transportation by using:

• Clean energy aircraft          Runway-free operations       
• New vehicle designs          Strong safety oversight     .
• Resulting in faster, quieter, more sustainable air transport for people and cargo.

Federal “LIFT” guidelines for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Comprehensive Plan. The guidelines outline a phased framework to help communities, states, and industry safely integrate emerging air transportation technologies such as eVTOL aircraft, drones, and air taxis.  

L – Leverage existing programs

• Use current aviation regulations, infrastructure, and programs to support early AAM operations and innovation. This includes using existing airports, heliports, and FAA safety frameworks for initial deployments. 

I – Initiate engagement, research, and planning

• Coordinate with local governments, industry, communities, and agencies to identify infrastructure needs, workforce development opportunities, policy considerations, and community impacts. 

F – Forge new policies and operational models

• Develop updated regulations, standards, funding approaches, and operational procedures needed for scaled AAM operations, including vertiports, airspace integration, cybersecurity, and environmental considerations. 

T – Transform the aviation ecosystem

• Enable fully integrated, large-scale AAM operations that connect seamlessly with existing transportation systems while improving mobility, safety, sustainability, and economic opportunity.

For Greensboro’s AAM Readiness Plan, aligning with the federal LIFT framework demonstrates that the city is preparing for AAM through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, infrastructure assessment, and long-term transportation integration consistent with FAA and USDOT guidance

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New Types of Aircraft

AAM will rely on innovative aircraft powered by cleaner energy:

• Electric-powered aircraft using batteries

• Hydrogen fuel cell aircraft

• Some traditional aircraft using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)

✅ Goal: Reduce reliance on fossil fuels and make air travel more sustainable.

Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL)

Many aircraft won’t need runways:

• They can take off and land vertically, like helicopters

• This enables operation from small pads or urban spaces

👉 Electrically powered VTOL aircraft are called eVTOLs.

Three Main Types of VTOL Aircraft

Multicopters	Vectored Thrust Aircraft	Lift and Cruise Aircraft
Multiple rotors (like advanced drones)	Use the same rotor system for both vertical and horizontal movement	Use rotors for takeoff
Operate similarly to helicopters		Switch to propellers for forward flight

Source:  ACRP 11-02(43) 

New Infrastructure

Vertipads	Vertiports	Vertihubs
Single landing pad	Up to two landing pads	Numerous landing pads
Parking stall for one or two aircraft	Parking stalls for up to 10 aircraft	Parking for more than 10 aircraft

    Source: ACRP: Adapted from Mallela et al. (2023) 

Regulation and Safety

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) will certify aircraft and ensure safety before operations begin.

The primary goal of AAM is to enhance the efficient movement of people and goods, particularly in underserved urban, regional, and rural areas and will transform transportation by using:

• Clean energy aircraft

• Runway-free operations

• New air vehicle designs

• Strong safety oversight

Resulting in faster, quieter, and more sustainable air transport for people and cargo.

Next:  Readiness Planning