The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and NASA recently announced they will partner to plan for advanced technology cargo aircraft and passenger air taxi services.
The partners will host a series of five workshops for stakeholders to work with NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility team to discuss strategies for future engagement and planning and to identify areas of opportunity and concern regarding Advanced Air Mobility integration.
Participants will include representatives from airport authorities and operators, infrastructure providers, vehicle and subsystem manufacturers, workforce development organizations, universities, local governments, and others.
The workshops begin this month.
“These new electric, vertical take-off aircraft are currently undergoing testing, maturing quickly, and represent the future of a greener, more adaptable aviation option in Minnesota,” Cassandra Isackson, MnDOT office of aeronautics director, said. “Advanced Air Mobility services show great promise to provide localized aviation services that are broadly accessible, equitable, sustainable, and serve all Minnesotans. We look forward to working with NASA and a broad range of local experts to help Minnesota plan for these new technologies.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the North Central Texas Council of Governments Department of Transportation, the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the City of Orlando also are partnering with NASA.