New Era Awaits for Advanced Air Mobility

AAM poised to shape future of aviation over the next decade.

Jack Daleo

Monday, August 24, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Advanced air mobility covers novel propulsion systems, airframes, and other tech. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is a broad category covering novel aircraft, airframes, and propulsion technologies like eVTOL air taxis, cargo drones, and flying cars, with the FAA actively developing regulations and overseeing integration pilot programs.
AAM is expected to expand aviation services across various sectors, including urban commuting, regional travel, personal recreation, and military applications, rather than predominantly replacing existing aviation.
While recreational and military uses are seeing early adoption, large-scale commercial services like air taxis face significant hurdles such as battery limitations, manufacturing complexity, and a projected 5-10 year timeline for meaningful market penetration.
Beyond new propulsion, AAM also involves radical airframe redesigns, like blended-wing bodies, which promise substantial efficiency gains but present significant certification and production challenges for developers.

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Advanced air mobility (AAM) has become a popular buzzword in aviation circles. The FAA is developing regulations for it. Airports and airlines are preparing for it. But what exactly is AAM, and what will it mean for pilots?

AAM broadly covers any novel aircraft, airframe, or propulsion technology. That includes electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVOTL) air taxis, small cargo drones, and aircraft that fly with little to no pilot input, using complex arrays of cameras and sensors.