Advanced Air Mobility Cluster & Workforce Pipeline Development Study

Project Goal

Advanced air mobility (AAM) is a new aviation industry segment that leverages cutting-edge technology to develop new aircraft that will transform the way societies engage aeronautical services including missions performed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and environmentally friendly passenger and cargo aircraft. Virginia is positioned to lead in this space, however, to do so it must drive innovation to develop enabling technology and products that are safe, accessible, secure, and scalable. AAM represents significant economic opportunity for companies operating across several lines of business including aircraft development and advanced manufacturing, ground infrastructure, commercial transportation, supply chain logistics, cargo delivery, retail sales, fleet management, cybersecurity, communications, data management, public safety, and information technology. According to the report commissioned by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), “Virgina’s Advanced Air Mobility Future” (2023), AAM alone will require 17,000 new employees by 2045. To sustain our role as a leader in this space, we must prepare a skilled and adept workforce to support Virginia’s AAM future.

Administration: $4260 NSVRC 6% to provide project and grant administration Program Operations- Market and Feasibility Study: $25,000 will be used for a comprehensive regional market study to identify assets relevant to the Advanced Aviation Mobility (AAM) industry, available workforce, competing industry needs, and workforce gaps to provide a baseline analysis. Strategic Planning: $41,740 will be used to convene a regional working group that will meet at least three (3) times to encourage collaboration between industry partners and academia. The group will produce a report with an implementation plan and proposed budget that outlines how we can sustain workforce development activities as a region in preparation for AAM. Matching: Architectural and Engineering Fees: $35,500 drawn from a federal grant totaling $295,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These funds will be used towards geotechnical surveys and a planning study that will analyze three (3) leading types of development on an approximately 30-acre parcel at the Winchester Regional Airport. This site will also undergo an environmental assessment. These activities will enhance the site’s readiness for development.