House passes Rep. Rick Larsen-backed bill to support emerging aviation tech
The U.S. House last week passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, that would invest millions of dollars in infrastructure projects for emerging aviation technologies known as advanced air mobility.
The bill, called the Advanced Aviation Infrastructure Modernization Act, would help state and local governments begin building or repurposing aviation infrastructure needed for the commercialization of technologies like air taxis and drone delivery, which have seen a surge in startup activity in recent years. That has included startups like Tacoma-based Zeva Aero, which is developing a saucer-shaped aircraft, and major investments such as The Boeing Co.’s more than $450 million investment in California-based Wisk Aero, which is developing a two-person electric passenger aircraft.
The bill passed by a vote of 338 to 73 and has been sent to the Senate for review by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
The bill creates a $25 million pilot program that would provide grants to develop public or private “vertiports” for takeoff and landing or technologies like ground sensors, electric charging infrastructure or wireless networks to support the new operations.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2022/06/19/larsen-aviation-infrastructure-bill.html
