This article is based on an official press release from the University of Central Florida.

UCF Secures NASA Grant to Study Advanced Air Mobility Impacts at Ocala Airport

Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have been awarded a $750,000 grant from NASA to investigate the environmental and societal impacts of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). According to an official announcement released by the university in January 2026, the project will focus on the integration of next-generation air transportation systems, such as electric air taxis and drones, into existing community infrastructures.

The study is being conducted in partnership with Ocala International Airport, which will serve as the primary testing and data collection site. The research aims to analyze how noise and pollution from these emerging technologies affect local residents, ensuring that future implementation addresses community concerns regarding quality of life.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Aviation Research

The initiative combines aerospace engineering with sociological research to create a comprehensive picture of AAM integration. Leading the engineering side are Subith Vasu, a UCF Trustee Chair and Professor, and Justin Urso, a postdoctoral scholar. Their team is tasked with measuring and modeling the acoustic footprint and potential pollution generated by AAM vehicles.

To address the human element, Yingru Li, a UCF Professor of Sociology, will lead community assessments. According to the university’s release, this portion of the study is designed to gauge public perception and acceptance of high-frequency low-altitude flights over residential neighborhoods.

“Anything that flies makes noise, and it can be annoying for residents. We’re looking at how to minimize the risk so the community isn’t bothered.”

Subith Vasu, UCF Trustee Chair (via UCF News)

AirPro News Analysis

The inclusion of a sociological component in this NASA-funded study highlights a critical shift in the aviation industry’s approach to AAM. While early development focused heavily on vehicle certification and battery density, the current hurdle for the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) sector is public acceptance. We observe that regulatory bodies are increasingly prioritizing “community annoyance” metrics over simple decibel limits, making data from studies like UCF’s vital for future urban planning.

Strategic Importance of Ocala International Airport

The selection of Ocala International Airport as the testbed for this research is strategic. Located approximately two hours by car from major hubs like Tampa and Orlando, Ocala represents the type of regional city that stands to benefit most from short-haul air mobility solutions. The research team estimates that Ocala could host a functional “vertiport”, a launch pad for AAM vehicles, by 2035.

In the university’s announcement, Vasu noted the logistical challenges residents currently face when trying to access major international airports.

“Depending on where you live, AAM can be very helpful. If you live in Ocala and want to take a flight to Europe, California or New York, where do you go? The Tampa and Orlando airports are two hours away by car.”

Subith Vasu, UCF Trustee Chair (via UCF News)

Future Expansion Plans

While the current scope of the $750,000 grant focuses on Ocala, the research team has expressed intentions to expand the project to include Orlando International Airport in future phases. The data collected will likely inform NASA’s broader strategies for AAM implementation and assist city planners in designing infrastructure that is both operationally efficient and socially acceptable.

Sources

• University of Central Florida

This article is based on an official press release from Joby Aviation.

Joby Aviation Accelerates Production Goals with Acquisition of Major Ohio Facility

Joby Aviation has officially acquired a substantial manufacturing facility in Vandalia, Ohio, marking a critical step in the company’s efforts to scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft production. According to a company press release issued on January 7, 2026, the acquisition of the existing 700,000-square-foot building will allow Joby to bypass lengthy construction timelines associated with greenfield sites.

The facility, purchased for $61.5 million, is located at 1669 Capstone Way near Dayton International Airport. Joby Aviation states that this expansion is designed to support an aggressive production target of four aircraft per month by 2027. By securing a “spec” building that is already complete, the company expects to commence operations at the new site within the current year.

Rapid Expansion in the “Birthplace of Aviation”

The Vandalia facility represents a significant deepening of Joby’s commitment to Ohio. It complements the company’s existing operations at Dayton International Airport, where manufacturing of propeller blades began in October 2025. The new site is roughly the size of four Walmart Supercenters and will serve as a primary hub for aircraft assembly and manufacturing.

In a statement regarding the acquisition, Joby Aviation Founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt emphasized the strategic importance of the location:

“This site will not only support our near-term plan to double production, it can also serve as a base for significant future growth… The reindustrialization of Ohio has become central to Joby’s story.”

The move aligns with Joby’s broader “dual-site” manufacturing strategy, which pairs the scaling capabilities of the Ohio facilities with the company’s pilot production line in Marina, California. The California site is currently hiring for 24/7 operations to meet immediate development needs.

Investment and Incentives

Joby’s expansion in Ohio is backed by substantial financial commitments and government support. The company previously announced plans in September 2023 to invest up to $500 million and create 2,000 jobs in the region. This latest acquisition is a tangible step toward fulfilling those figures.

According to the provided reporting, the project is supported by a state and local incentive package valued at up to $325 million. This includes a $93 million Job Creation Tax Credit and a $110 million grant from JobsOhio. Local officials have praised the investment as a revitalization of the region’s aerospace heritage.

Jon Husted, a key Ohio official, noted the impact on the local workforce:

“Joby’s investment in Dayton, bringing thousands of good-paying blue-collar jobs back to Ohio, is an incredible testament to Ohio’s long history as a leader in aviation.”

AirPro News Analysis

Speed to Market Strategy: The decision to purchase an existing $61.5 million facility rather than building from the ground up is a calculated move to accelerate delivery timelines. In the race to certify and deliver eVTOL aircraft, infrastructure delays are a common bottleneck. AirPro News assesses that this acquisition likely shaves 12 to 18 months off Joby’s timeline to reach full-scale production capacity, directly supporting the 2027 volume targets.

The Toyota Factor: While the press release focuses on the real estate, the operational context involves Joby’s strategic alliance with Toyota. With a recent $250 million investment tranche from the automotive giant, Joby is positioned to implement automotive-grade manufacturing efficiencies in this new facility immediately. This partnership is critical for achieving the rate of four aircraft per month, a volume unprecedented in modern general aviation manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Joby Aviation facility located?
The facility is located at 1669 Capstone Way, Vandalia, Ohio, near the Dayton International Airport.

When will operations begin at the new site?
Joby Aviation expects operations to commence in 2026.

What is the production target supported by this facility?
The facility is intended to support a production rate of four eVTOL aircraft per month by 2027.

How much did Joby pay for the facility?
The acquisition price was reported as $61.5 million.

Sources: Joby Aviation

This article is based on official press releases from Alaska Airlines and Washington State University, as well as public announcements from the launch event.

Washington Leaders Launch Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator to Power PNW SAF Hub

On January 8, 2026, a coalition of government, industry, and academic leaders officially launched the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA). Unveiled at the Boeing Future of Flight in Mukilteo, Washington, the initiative aims to establish the Pacific Northwest as a global leader in the production and deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

According to official announcements, the accelerator is backed by $20 million in initial funding. This capital includes $10 million from Washington State’s Climate Commitment Act funds and a matching $10 million contribution from an anonymous philanthropic donor. The coalition has set an ambitious target: to scale regional SAF production to 1 billion gallons annually by 2035.

A Public-Private Coalition

The initiative represents a broad partnership designed to bridge the gap between policy, technology, and commercial viability. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson championed the launch, positioning it as both an economic engine and a critical climate solution for the state.

The coalition features major stakeholders across multiple sectors:

• Aviation: Founding partners Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have committed to using SAF to meet net-zero goals. Boeing, which hosted the launch, is providing technical expertise regarding aircraft compatibility.
• Academia: Washington State University (WSU) will lead the research and development component of the initiative.
• Corporate Demand: Major corporate consumers of air cargo and travel, including Amazon and Microsoft, are involved to help aggregate demand.
• Government: In addition to the Governor’s office, the Port of Seattle and Snohomish County are key partners, with Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers serving as the CSAA Board Chair.

“We have all the pieces in place to ensure this once-in-a-generation economic opportunity is realized, and this accelerator will make that happen.”

, Governor Bob Ferguson, via official press release

Strategic Structure: Accelerator and Institute

To address the complex barriers facing the SAF market, the initiative is divided into two complementary arms: the Accelerator and the Institute.

The Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA)

The CSAA focuses on market acceleration, financing, and policy advocacy. Its primary mission is to “de-risk” the industry for producers and investors. By harmonizing tax incentives and aggregating fuel demand from airlines and corporate partners, the Accelerator aims to create a stable market environment that encourages rapid scaling of production facilities.

The Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Institute (CSAI)

The Institute will handle the technical and scientific challenges of SAF adoption. It will operate a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center based at Paine Field in Snohomish County. While a permanent facility is scheduled for completion by 2029, the center will open in a temporary commercial space in the coming months.

A key feature of the Institute will be the world’s first “SAF Repository.” This facility will function similarly to a seed bank, collecting, indexing, and distributing fuel samples to researchers globally to standardize testing and certification processes.

“For aviation to remain strong and resilient in the decades ahead, sustainability must be part of its future.”

, Elizabeth Cantwell, WSU President, via WSU News

Industry Context and Regional Projects

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is widely considered the most viable near-term solution for decarbonizing long-haul aviation. Made from feedstocks such as agricultural waste, used cooking oil, or captured carbon, SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. However, current supply accounts for less than 1% of global jet fuel usage, and it remains significantly more expensive than fossil-based alternatives.

The Pacific Northwest is viewed as an ideal “test bed” for solving these problems due to its access to renewable hydroelectric power, forestry and agricultural residues, and a deep aerospace talent pool.

The Accelerator aims to support existing regional projects, including:

• SkyNRG: A Dutch company planning a facility in Walla Walla, WA, to convert biogas into jet fuel.
• Twelve: A carbon-transformation company backed by Alaska Airlines, currently building a plant in Moses Lake, WA, to produce fuel from CO2.
• Montana Renewables: A producer in Great Falls, MT, which recently received a conditional loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to expand production serving the region.

“This is a systems issue that no one company can solve. You’ve got great companies… ready to use this fuel, but we have to make it available.”

, Guy Palumbo, Amazon Director of Public Policy, via launch event remarks

AirPro News Analysis

The launch of the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator marks a shift from individual corporate sustainability goals to a systemic regional strategy. While the target of 1 billion gallons by 2035 is aggressive, the bifurcation of the initiative into an “Accelerator” (finance/policy) and an “Institute” (R&D) suggests a mature understanding of the bottlenecks.

The primary challenge for the CSAA will be feedstock logistics. While the Pacific Northwest has abundant forestry and agricultural waste, the infrastructure to collect, transport, and process these materials at a scale capable of producing 1 billion gallons does not yet exist. Furthermore, the involvement of corporate giants like Amazon and Microsoft is critical; their willingness to pay a “green premium” for sustainable air cargo and travel could provide the demand certainty that producers need to secure financing for new plants.

Success will likely depend on how quickly the Institute can streamline the fuel certification process, which has historically been a slow hurdle for new SAF pathways.

Sources:

• Alaska Airlines Newsroom
• Washington State University News
• GeekWire
• Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator