Advanced air mobility infrastructure pilot program

(a)

Establishment

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program to provide grants that—(1)assist an eligible entity to plan for the development and deployment of infrastructure necessary to facilitate AAM operations in the United States; and(2)make funding available for costs directly related to construction of public-use vertiports or associated infrastructure.(b)

Planning grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible entities to develop comprehensive plans under paragraph (2) related to AAM infrastructure.(2)

Comprehensive plan

(A)

In general

Not later than 1 year after receiving a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a comprehensive plan in a format that may be published on the website of the Department of Transportation.(B)

Plan contents

The Secretary shall establish content requirements for comprehensive plans submitted under this subsection, which may include the following:(i)The identification of planned or potential public-use or private-use vertiport locations.(ii)A description of infrastructure necessary to support AAM operations.(iii)A description of types of planned or potential AAM operations.(iv)The identification of physical and digital infrastructure required to meet the standards for vertiport design and performance characteristics established by the Federal Aviation Administration (as in effect on the date on which the Secretary issues a grant to an eligible entity), including modifications to existing infrastructure and ground sensors, electric charging and other fueling requirements, electric utility requirements, wireless and cybersecurity requirements, and other necessary hardware or software.(v)A description of potential environmental effects of planned construction or siting of public-use vertiports, including efforts to reduce the adverse effects of potential aviation noise.(vi)A description of how planned public-use or private-use vertiport locations, including new or repurposed infrastructure, fit into existing State and local transportation systems and networks, including—(I)connectivity to existing public transportation hubs and intermodal and multimodal facilities;(II)opportunities to create new service to areas underserved by air transportation, without compromising safety and efficiency of other facilities and airspace users; and(III)any potential conflicts to existing aviation infrastructure that may arise from the proposed location of the vertiport.(vii)A description of how public-use vertiport planning will be incorporated in State or metropolitan planning documents.(viii)The identification of the process an eligible entity will undertake to ensure an adequate level of community engagement for planned public-use vertiport locations and planned or anticipated AAM operations, including engagement with underserved communities, individuals with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities, to address equity of access and other priorities.(ix)The identification of the actions necessary for an eligible entity to undertake the construction of public-use vertiports, such as planning studies to assess existing infrastructure, environmental studies, studies of projected economic benefit to the community, lease or acquisition of an easement or land for new infrastructure, and activities related to other capital costs.(x)The identification of State, local, or private sources of funding an eligible entity may use to assist with the construction or operation of a public-use vertiport.(3)

Application

To apply for a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall provide to the Secretary an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(4)

Selection

(A)

In general

In awarding grants under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider the following:(i)Geographic diversity.(ii)The need for comprehensive plans that—(I)ensure the safe integration of AAM operations into the National Airspace System;(II)improve transportation safety, connectivity, access, and equity in both rural and urban regions in the United States;(III)leverage existing public transportation systems and intermodal and multimodal facilities;(IV)reduce surface congestion and the environmental impacts of transportation;(V)grow the economy and create jobs in the United States; and(VI)encourage community engagement when planning for AAM related infrastructure.(B)

Priority

The Secretary shall prioritize awarding grants under this subsection to eligible entities that partner with commercial AAM entities, institutions of higher education, research institutions, or other relevant stakeholders to develop and prepare a comprehensive plan.(5)

Grant amount

Each grant made under this subsection shall be made in an amount that is not more than $1,000,000.(6)

Briefing

(A)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the first comprehensive plan is submitted under paragraph (2), and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a briefing to the appropriate committees of Congress on the comprehensive plans submitted to the Secretary under such paragraph.(B)

Contents

The briefing required under subparagraph (A) shall include—(i)an evaluation of all planned or proposed public-use vertiport locations included in the comprehensive plans submitted under paragraph (2) and how such planned or proposed public-use vertiport locations may fit into the overall United States transportation system and network; and(ii)a description of lessons or best practices learned through the review of comprehensive plans and how the Secretary will incorporate any such lessons or best practices into Federal standards or guidance for the design and operation of AAM infrastructure and facilities.(c)

Construction grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary may award grants to covered recipients to carry out construction activities described under paragraph (2).(2)

Eligible uses

A covered recipient may use grant funds awarded under this subsection for design, bidding, and environmental study activities, and other capital costs, as the Secretary determines appropriate, directly related to the construction of a public-use vertiport or associated infrastructure pursuant to the comprehensive plan submitted by such covered recipient.(3)

Requirements

The requirements of subsections (b) and (c) of section 47112 of title 49, United States Code, and section 50101 of such title, shall apply to a grant awarded under this subsection.(4)

Limitation

The Secretary may not award a grant under this subsection—(A)for the acquisition, conversion, or retrofitting of AAM aircraft; or(B)for the construction of private-use vertiports or associated infrastructure.(5)

Grant timing

The Secretary may not issue a grant under this subsection until—(A)the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration has—(i)issued type certificates for 2 or more models of aircraft designed to provide AAM transportation; and(ii)published an advisory circular containing appropriate standards for vertiport design and performance characteristics and vertiport siting; and(B)the Secretary has—(i)determined that 2 or more AAM operators hold certificates under part 119 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, for such operators to perform air carrier operations covered under part 135 of such title; and(ii)issued, to 2 or more air carriers formed to provide AAM transportation, certificates under chapter 411 of title 49, United States Code.(d)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

Authorization

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to remain available until expended.(2)

Administrative expenses

Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1), the Secretary may retain up to 1 percent for personnel, contracting, and other costs to establish and administer the pilot program under this section.(e)

Termination

(1)

In general

No grant may be awarded under this section after September 30, 2023.(2)

Continued funding

Funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (d) may be expended after September 30, 2023—(A)for grants awarded prior to September 30, 2023; and(B)for administrative expenses.(f)

Definitions

In this Act:(1)

Advanced air mobility; aam

The terms advanced air mobility and AAM mean an air transportation system that transports individuals and property between points in the United States using aircraft, such as remotely piloted, autonomous, or vertical take-off and landing aircraft, including those powered by electric or hybrid driven propulsion, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.(2)

Appropriate committees of congress

The term appropriate committees of Congress means the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.(3)

Commercial aam entities

The term commercial AAM entities means—(A)manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, propulsion systems, and air traffic management systems related to AAM; and(B)intended commercial operators of AAM aircraft and systems.(4)

Covered recipient

The term covered recipient means the recipient of a grant under subsection (b) who has submitted a comprehensive plan—(A)that has been reviewed by the Secretary pursuant to subsection (b); and(B)that the Secretary has determined contains proposed projects that comply with the standards for vertiport design, performance, and siting characteristics described in a published advisory circular.(5)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(A)a State, local, or Tribal government, including a political subdivision thereof;(B)an airport sponsor;(C)a transit agency;(D)a port authority;(E)a metropolitan planning organization; or(F)any combination or consortium of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).(6)

Metropolitan planning organization

The term metropolitan planning organization has the meaning given such term in section 5303(b) of title 49, United States Code.(7)

Public-use vertiport

The term public-use vertiport means a designated location used or intended to be used for public purposes and to support AAM operations, including the landing, takeoff, loading, taxiing, parking, and storage of vertical take-off and landing aircraft.(8)

State

The term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.(9)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation.(10)

Vertical take-off and landing aircraft

The term vertical take-off and landing aircraft means an aircraft with lift/thrust units used to generate powered lift and control and with 2 or more lift/thrust units used to provide lift during vertical take-off or landing.