UNCREWED UPDATE By AUVSI
What It Means for Vertical Flight Operators The AAM National Strategy
The Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) National Strategy marks a new phase in the evolution of vertical flight in the United States, with direct implications for today’s rotorcraft operators and the missions they fly. Building on earlier federal actions focused on accelerating uncrewed adoption and emerging technologies, this strategy represents the federal government’s first coordinated effort to move civil AAM from concept toward implementation at a national scale.
AAM is no longer just an emerging concept; it is becoming part of the policy framework shaping the future of vertical flight. The strategy focuses on how advanced vertical aviation will be integrated safely and predictably into the National Airspace System alongside existing helicopter operations. At AUVSI, we view the strategy as a milestone in aligning federal priorities across safety, airspace, infrastructure, and workforce development, with integration at the core.
From Signals to Execution
What makes this strategy different is its focus on execution. Earlier policy actions signaled momentum around autonomy and innovation. This document is about how AAM moves forward in a civil aviation context.
In practical terms, it reflects a federal commitment to: •
• •
Coordinated implementation across agencies Predictable regulatory pathways
Safety-first integration with existing aviation operations
That execution-focused approach is reinforced by complementary initiatives such as the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which is intended to generate real-world operational data to inform future regulations, infrastructure planning, and community engagement. Together, the strategy and eIPP signal that AAM policy going forward will be shaped by operational experience, not theory alone.
A Coordinated Federal Approach
The strategy was developed through the Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group, bringing together the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies. That coordination is essential for reducing fragmentation and ensuring
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AAM policy evolves consistently across the federal government. AUVSI continues to engage with these agencies to ensure that operator experience and real-world operations, including insights from pilot programs like eIPP, inform how the strategy is executed.
Automation as a Safety Enabler
The strategy recognizes automation as a foundational enabler for scaling AAM safely, framing it as an extension of established aviation practices rather than a sudden departure from them. This approach closely aligns with AUVSI’s longstanding position that automation must be introduced incrementally, be certifiable, and remain grounded in operational reality.
For vertical flight operators, this should feel familiar. Automation supports:
• Reduced workload • •
Improved situational awareness Safer operations in increasingly complex airspace Shared Airspace and Operational Integration
Airspace integration remains one of the most complex challenges facing AAM. The strategy builds on lessons learned from uncrewed aircraft integration, while applying those insights to crewed AAM operations operating alongside existing rotorcraft missions.
For helicopter operators, this reinforces a critical point: future AAM traffic is expected to coexist with today’s missions, including emergency medical services, public safety, and utility operations.
Infrastructure, Workforce, and What Comes Next
Beyond airspace, the strategy emphasizes infrastructure readiness and workforce development. It recognizes opportunities for shared-use facilities and highlights the importance of expanding the existing aviation workforce.
From AUVSI’s perspective, AAM will rely heavily on today’s pilots, maintainers, and operators as implementation accelerates. The strategy sets direction, but success will depend on continued engagement from across the vertical-flight community. At its core, the AAM National Strategy sends a clear message to operators: the future of advanced air mobility will be shaped not by disruption, but by disciplined implementation, safety-first integration, and collaboration.
Jan/Feb 2026
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