Advanced air mobility is a federal priority – the U.S. Department of Transportation published its AAM National Strategy in December 2025, laying out a bold vision for 2026 to 2036. But the states are where rubber meets the runway. State DOTs, economic development agencies, and legislative bodies are building the on-the-ground frameworks that will determine where AAM actually happens first.
For rural communities, state-level activity is the most actionable signal. If your state has an active AAM program, there are likely partnership opportunities, grant funding, and planning resources available right now. If it doesn’t, you may need to push for one – or look to neighboring states for models.
Here’s where things stand across the states leading the charge, with a focus on what each means for rural communities.
Texas: The Multi-Phase Leader
Texas is arguably the most advanced state in AAM planning. TxDOT established its AAM Advisory Committee in 2023, bringing together industry, academia, and local government stakeholders to develop a phased implementation strategy.
The Texas approach moves through three phases: cargo and logistics first, then medical and emergency services, and finally passenger air taxi operations. This sequencing is deliberate – it starts with lower-risk, higher-need applications that are especially relevant to rural Texas, where distances between communities are vast and healthcare access is a persistent challenge.
TxDOT’s Aviation Division runs UAS services and has been integrating drone operations into highway construction, bridge inspection, and emergency response. The state submitted a strong proposal for the FAA’s eIPP program, and multiple Texas communities are positioned as potential pilot sites.
What it means for rural Texas: The state’s phased approach prioritizes rural use cases (cargo, medical) before urban air taxis. Rural communities along major highway corridors and near regional hospitals are strong candidates for early deployments.
Ohio: The Test Bed State
Ohio has built one of the country’s most sophisticated AAM ecosystems through DriveOhio and its associated programs. The state operates the Ohio UAS Center at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport – one of a handful of FAA-designated UAS test sites in the country where operators can conduct BVLOS flights and validate integration with the National Airspace System.
The FlyOhio initiative focuses specifically on enabling autonomous and electric aircraft operations. In 2025, Piqua-based Hartzler Propeller earned FAA Part 35 Type Certification for the first propeller designed specifically for advanced air mobility aircraft, working with BETA Technologies.
Ohio submitted an eIPP proposal focused on using AAM technology to address rural healthcare logistics – a direct acknowledgment that the state’s rural communities face access challenges that aviation can solve.
What it means for rural Ohio: The state has active infrastructure (UAS test site, certified component manufacturers) and a healthcare-focused AAM strategy. Rural communities near the U.S. 33 Smart Mobility Corridor or Springfield-Beckley area are in the immediate zone of activity.
Utah: The Western Crossroads
Utah’s AAM program, branded as the uFLY project, positions the state as “America’s AAM Crossroads to the West.” It’s a multi-state partnership led by UDOT in coordination with Oklahoma, Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona – a coalition that collectively covers vast rural territory.
UDOT launched a public AAM survey in February 2026, gauging community interest and concerns. Utah has submitted an eIPP candidate proposal and is working with industry partners including Lockheed Martin, Joby Aviation, and BETA Technologies.
Utah’s geography makes it a natural fit for AAM. The state’s rural communities are often separated by mountain ranges that make ground travel slow and circuitous. Air routes that cut across terrain features could dramatically reduce travel times for medical emergencies, cargo delivery, and passenger connections.
What it means for rural Utah: The multi-state coalition approach could create a regional network spanning the rural West. Communities near existing airports and along interstate corridors are likely first targets. The public survey is an opportunity to get your community’s needs on UDOT’s radar.
North Carolina: The University-Industry Bridge
North Carolina is building its AAM program through a university-DOT partnership model. In late 2024, NCDOT funded a University Transportation Center at North Carolina A&T State University focused specifically on air mobility and drone innovation. The center prioritizes regional air mobility services connecting rural areas to major transit hubs.
The state also runs an active UAS program through NCDOT’s Division of Aviation, with regulatory frameworks for drone operations and coordination with the FAA. North Carolina’s Research Triangle and the broader aerospace corridor provide an industry base that few states can match.
What it means for rural North Carolina: The university center’s explicit focus on regional connectivity for rural communities is encouraging. Communities in the Piedmont and western mountain regions – where terrain makes ground travel difficult – could be early beneficiaries.
Other States to Watch
Michigan: Home to several drone and eVTOL companies. The state has been supportive of electric aviation testing and the Lansing airport installed one of the first BETA Technologies Charge Cubes for electric aircraft.
Virginia: Electra (the leading eSTOL manufacturer) is headquartered here, and the state has a strong drone testing ecosystem through the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership.
North Dakota: The VANTIS network – a state-funded ground-based surveillance system for BVLOS drone operations – is the most advanced drone infrastructure in the country and a model for other rural states.
Alaska: With its extreme dependence on aviation for rural connectivity, Alaska is a natural market for both eSTOL and autonomous cargo drones. The state’s existing Part 135 operators are watching AAM developments closely.
Kansas: Already seeing agricultural drone adoption at scale (we covered this in our Kansas Ag Drones report). The state’s flat terrain and large-scale farming operations make it ideal for BVLOS agricultural drones under the coming Part 108 rule.
The Federal Framework: eIPP and the National Strategy
All of this state activity sits within a federal framework that’s becoming clearer. The FAA’s Emerging and Innovative Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) is the primary mechanism for public-private AAM partnerships. The FAA has been evaluating candidate proposals since late 2025 and expects to select at least five pilot projects – with early operational activity anticipated throughout 2026 and 2027.
The DOT’s AAM National Strategy (2026-2036) establishes four action phases under the acronym LIFT: Lay the foundation, Integrate across modes, Foster adoption, and Transform transportation. For rural communities, the “Lay the foundation” phase is happening right now – and it’s the window to get involved.
What Rural Communities Should Do
- Find your state’s AAM contact. Check whether your state DOT has an AAM coordinator, UAS program manager, or aviation planning office. Many are actively seeking rural community partners.
- Respond to public engagement. If your state is running surveys, holding public meetings, or accepting comments on AAM plans, participate. These processes shape where funding and pilot projects go.
- Identify local assets. Airports, airstrips, hospitals, distribution centers, agricultural operations – inventory what you have that could support AAM operations.
- Build coalitions. The most successful eIPP proposals involve multi-stakeholder partnerships. Connect with neighboring communities, your regional planning commission, healthcare systems, and agricultural cooperatives.
- Update your zoning. Make sure your local land-use code can accommodate vertiports and drone operations (see our vertiport zoning guide for specifics).
The states that are moving on AAM are doing so because they see competitive advantage. The same logic applies at the community level. The towns and counties that engage now will be first to capture the jobs, services, and connectivity that advanced air mobility promises.
