Graphic courtesy the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.
In an initiative that may be the first of its kind in the nation, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments is spearheading efforts to help five local airports prepare for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — the next evolution of the aviation industry.
OKI’s Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution at their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 13, allowing the agency to hire a firm to work with five southwest Ohio general aviation airports to develop AAM electrical infrastructure plans for their public facilities.
Entirely new types of electric aircraft are being developed that can transport cargo and passengers. Collectively, this innovative technology is referred to as Advanced Air Mobility or AAM. For example, eVTOLs, or electric Vertical Take-off and Landing vehicles, are aircraft that take off, hover, and land vertically using electric power.
The airports and their owners are Butler County Regional Airport (Butler County Board of Commissioners); Cincinnati Municipal Airport/Lunken Field (City of Cincinnati); Clermont County Airport (Clermont County Commissioners); Miami University Airport (Miami University); and Middletown Regional Airport/Hook Field (City of Middletown).
“OKI will manage the selected firm to ensure each airport receives the AAM infrastructure plan they need to serve as a customized blueprint for upgrading their utilities to support electric vehicles and electric aircraft,” said Robyn Bancroft, OKI’s strategic initiatives manager.
“With a plan in place, the airports can implement infrastructure improvements. This preparation will help Ohio lead in the innovative transportation sector,” she said.
Bancroft added, “Being prepared to accommodate AAM will leverage these existing public resources and position these airports for economic development growth opportunities.”
During her research for this initiative, which included conversations with private and public partners in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at regional, national, and international levels, Bancroft was unable to find any similar projects.
“This suggests that OKI might be the first Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or public agency to undertake such a forward-thinking initiative,” she said. “This is a first for OKI and perhaps a first for the nation.”
“Advanced Air Mobility is a ‘now generation’ technology that can boost our region’s commerce and our mobility capabilities,” said OKI CEO Mark Policinski. “AAM technology is developing rapidly, and we must be ready to implement its every-day usage.”
Policinski added, “Rapid transmission of medical supplies, time sensitive package deliveries and even people are all fascinating possibilities of AAM. OKI will help prepare for a future where AAM will improve the urban, suburban and rural parts of our region.”
Given the expected surge in truck traffic, OKI is looking at Advanced Air Mobility as a potential solution, said Bancroft, who also manages OKI’s freight plan.
“OKI’s interest in AAM is tied to a forecasted truck volume increase of 46% by 2050,” she said. “With a mission to increase safety, reduce congestion, improve air quality through decreased fuel consumption and emissions, minimize wear and tear on our roads, and support economic competitiveness, OKI sees AAM as a tool to help address these goals.”
A committee of representatives from all five airports, along with OKI and Duke Energy (project partner), will review qualified candidates and select the firm to complete the AAM electrical infrastructure plans.
Bancroft said considerable progress is being made in the field of Advanced Air Mobility.
“This year is anticipated to be a very exciting one,’” she said. “The FAA is expected to issue long-awaited AAM- related certifications that provide private companies the ‘green light’ they require to scale up to production of eVTOLs and make an impact on what we will see flying in the next few years.”
OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development potential of the tristate.