The National League of Cities (NLC) has launched a national Aviation Advisory Forum on Air Mobility and Drone Integration to bring together cities, towns and villages as drones and air taxis expand operations in the U.S. Mayor Buddy Dyer of Orlando, Florida, and Mayor Lily Wu of Wichita, Kansas, will serve as the co-chairs on Aviation Advisory Forum, and the first Forum will be held on November 13, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, at the NLC City Summit conference.
About the Aviation Forum
The Aviation Advisory Forum will bring together local government leaders to provide strategic advice to the federal government and aviation industry on efforts to integrate advanced air mobility (AAM) like powered-lift aircraft (like air taxis) and uncrewed aerial systems (like drones) into U.S. airspace and communities across the country. Any local government leader can join the Forum by signing up — whether you’re leading drone operations locally or gathering best practices.
Many communities are benefiting from having city staff and emergency responders serve as local drone operators for a variety of essential government tasks and are embracing AAM as another transportation mode for the future. As more AAM operations take off and land in communities, gathering insights on operations will be a key role for the Aviation Advisory Forum, plus sharing best practices as AAM becomes more visible to communities nationally. As Mayor Dyer said, “The Aviation Forum will serve as local governments’ voice in building these [aviation] relationships and making sure that the new technology is both responsive to the needs of our communities and successful in creating new transportation opportunities.”
Cities Engaged in Air Mobility and Drone Operations
Local governments are both significant operators of drones and part of the regulatory structure that enables the AAM flights of the near future. Cities have found drones helpful for infrastructure inspections, mapping heat loss from buildings in winter and using drones for safety responses.
Local governments and public safety agencies are some of the most significant advanced user groups for drones today with advanced permissions to fly longer and farther. More than 1,400 police departments are using drones now. Cities like Orlando, Detroit and Los Angeles are getting ready for the entry of new powered-lift aircraft like air taxis by setting principles for positive integration, engaging with stakeholders and doing table-top exercises with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2016, the National League of Cities released our first guide — Cities and Drones, and we were part of the FAA’s first Drone Advisory Committee (which is now the Advanced Aviation Advisory Committee).
Major Milestones for Advanced Air Mobility and Cities
- In June 2016, the FAA released regulations to govern the use of drones (referred to as Part 107 which is the section of the FAA Regulations where the rules appear) to establish modest requirements for anyone who wants to operate a drone personally or professionally.
- In October 2017, NLC supported the development of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) by Presidential Memorandum to allow cities to apply with their aviation partners to expand drone test cases.
- In October 2020, the IPP’s nine lead participants including the cities of Reno, Chula Vista and San Diego completed their work and released the IPP Final Report, and the FAA began a new program called BEYOND to keep testing going.
- In 2021 during the pandemic, the FAA green-lighted flying drones over people.
- In 2022, FAA released initial vertiport design standards to begin to scope out the parameters of safety for air taxi landing areas.
- In July 2023, the FAA released an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Implementation Plan, including an “Innovate28” AAM project with a goal of allowing AAM operations at limited locations by 2028 in advance of key national events like the Olympics.
- In May 2023, the FAA released an Airspace Blueprint for Air Taxis, aiming to create a common frame of reference for FAA, NASA and industry to help guide their research and decision-making.
- In July 2024, the FAA authorized multiple commercial drone operations in the Dallas area to use the same airspace.
- This October, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) finalized the last key step needed to get new air taxi aircraft flying safely — a rule for powered-lift aircraft pilot training and qualifications. This marks the first time major new aircraft type since helicopters began flying in the 1940s, and yes, the designs echo back to The Jetson family’s vehicle.
- On November 5, the FAA gave Amazon permission to expand operations from Texas into Arizona.
Aviation Discussions Coming
Just as there are no shortage of drone case studies, there are no shortage of critical questions which will impact cities, towns and villages related to AAM’s expanded use:
- Will FAA want to create “highways for flight in the skies” like they did for airplanes?
- How will cities communicate and engage with FAA and drone pilots in consistent and responsive ways?
- How will future landing areas for AAM fit into existing transportation plans? Will air taxis operate initially at existing heliports or airports until vertiport designs are confirmed?
- Will modifications be needed to local zoning, energy demand plans, parking zones or even crane permits to accommodate air taxis?
- How will the federal and local governments better coordinate “no fly zones” over critical infrastructure, major events at stadiums and capitals, and sensitive environmental areas?
- Who and how will drones be able to be pulled down from the skies that pose threats?
Join the Forum
Cities remain committed partners in the safe integration of drones and air taxis in our neighborhoods and downtowns. Cities also push for federal regulations that appropriately balance the promise of new technologies, realistic integration and the economic interests and goals of communities where drones can take flight.
Join Now
Any local government leader can join the Forum — whether you’re leading drone operations locally or gathering best practices.
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