This article is based on an official press release and strategy report from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy Unveils National Strategy for Advanced Air Mobility

On December 17, 2025, marking the 122nd anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy officially launched the National Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Strategy. This comprehensive roadmap is designed to guide the integration of “flying cars” (eVTOLs), drones, and automated aviation technologies into the national airspace system.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the strategy outlines 40 specific recommendations aimed at securing American leadership in the next generation of aviation. The initiative is heavily framed around the administration’s “America First” agenda, prioritizing domestic manufacturing, supply chain independence, and national security to ensure the United States maintains dominance in the sector against global competitors.

The announcement follows the requirements set forth by the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act of 2022 and builds upon the Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” signed in June 2025.

“Since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903, America has been at the forefront of aviation innovation. Today, we have a bold strategy to unlock the future of our skies and unleash this next chapter of aviation safely and efficiently. Advanced air mobility vehicles will benefit the American people, transforming how the flying public travels, how first responders jump into action, and how businesses deliver goods.”

, Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation

The “LIFT” Action Plan and Operational Timeline

The DOT’s strategy is structured around a four-phase execution plan dubbed “LIFT,” designed to move the industry from experimental research to widespread commercial adoption. The phases are defined as:

• Leverage existing programs to support innovation and commence initial operations.
• Initiate engagement with partners, research and development, and smart planning.
• Forge new policy and regulatory models responsive to public needs.
• Transform the aviation ecosystem for long-term integration.

Key Milestones

The strategy sets a clear timeline for the rollout of AAM technologies, providing the regulatory certainty long requested by industry stakeholders:

• 2027: Initial commercial demonstrations and limited operations utilizing existing infrastructure, such as current airports and heliports.
• 2030: Expansion of operations into broader rural and urban environments.
• 2035: Introduction of autonomous (pilotless) operations in specific, controlled environments.

Six Pillars of the AAM Ecosystem

The report identifies six core pillars essential for a functional and safe AAM ecosystem. These pillars address the technical, physical, and social infrastructure required to support high-density, low-altitude flight operations.

1. Airspace Modernization

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is tasked with modernizing Air Traffic Control (ATC) to manage the influx of new aircraft. The strategy proposes researching “cooperative operating practices,” where third-party service providers assist in managing airspace under FAA oversight, allowing for scalable operations without overwhelming current controllers.

2. Infrastructure Development

While early adoption will rely on existing airports and heliports, the strategy calls for the development of standards for new “vertiports” and electric charging networks. This includes retrofitting existing facilities to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

3. Security and Resilience

With increased digitization comes increased risk. The strategy emphasizes ensuring that new digital and physical systems are resilient against cyber threats and physical attacks, treating AAM infrastructure as critical national security assets.

4. Community Planning

Recognizing potential public resistance, the DOT plans to work closely with local governments to address noise concerns, privacy issues, and equitable access. Secretary Duffy, drawing on his background representing a rural district, has emphasized that AAM must connect underserved and rural communities, not just wealthy urban centers.

5. Workforce Development

The plan outlines the need to train a new generation of aviation professionals, including pilots, remote operators, and maintenance technicians specialized in electric propulsion and autonomous systems.

6. Automation and Certification

A critical long-term goal is establishing certification pathways for increasingly autonomous aircraft. The strategy envisions a shift from piloted aircraft to remotely piloted and eventually fully autonomous systems by 2035.

Geopolitical Context: An “America First” Approach

A distinct feature of this strategy is its focus on economic and national security. Secretary Duffy has positioned AAM as a “race” for autonomy, comparable to the space race. The administration’s policy explicitly discourages reliance on foreign adversaries for critical components such as batteries, avionics, and advanced materials.

The goal is to anchor production within the U.S., creating high-skilled manufacturing jobs and ensuring that American standards become the global norm for advanced aviation. This aligns with the broader administration focus on supply chain independence.

AirPro News Analysis

The release of the National AAM Strategy marks a significant pivot from viewing air taxis as a novelty to treating them as a strategic national asset. By explicitly linking AAM to “America First” manufacturing and national security, the DOT is likely signaling that federal funding and support will be tied to strict domestic sourcing requirements.

For investors and industry players, the 2027 timeline for commercial demonstrations is aggressive but provides a concrete target. However, the reliance on “cooperative operating practices” for airspace management suggests that the FAA is looking to delegate some traffic management responsibilities to the private sector, a move that could accelerate implementation but may raise questions regarding oversight and liability.

Industry Reaction

The aviation sector has largely embraced the announcement. Leading U.S. eVTOL manufacturers, including Archer Aviation and BETA Technologies, praised the strategy for providing the regulatory clarity needed to transition from testing to commercial service. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the plan’s potential to improve general aviation connectivity, while Airports Council International-North America expressed support but noted the necessity of federal funding to upgrade infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?
AAM refers to an air transportation system that moves people and cargo between places using new aircraft designs, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and drones, often in local, regional, or urban environments.

When will “flying cars” be available to the public?
According to the national strategy, limited commercial demonstrations are expected to begin by 2027, with broader availability in 2030.

Will these aircraft have pilots?
Initially, yes. The strategy outlines a transition period where aircraft will be piloted, moving toward autonomous (pilotless) operations by approximately 2035.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Transportation