The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) is holding its 7th Workshop on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Infrastructure on Sept. 26-28, 2023, in Cape May, New Jersey.

AAM is an air transport system concept that integrates new, transformational aircraft designs and flight technologies into existing and modified airspace operations. Typically highly automated, AAM aircraft may be powered by batteries, hybrid electric systems or hydrogen fuel cells. AAM aircraft now in development and pressing towards certification include both electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and those needing runways for short or conventional (eSTOL or eCTOL) takeoffs.

VFS has been a leader in vertical flight and electric flight for more than a decade, working to support the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies to support the integration of eVTOL and AAM aircraft into the national airspace system. This workshop is being held at the Cape May Convention Hall, about 45 minutes south of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey (near Atlantic City).

Tuesday morning, Sept. 26 will begin with AAM 101 — led by the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) — followed by a deep dive into important and timely AAM infrastructure topics through noon on Thursday, Sept. 28. Attendees also have the opportunity to sign up for a tour of the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center on Thursday afternoon.

The event includes keynotes from Paula Nouragas, Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor, Office of Science and Technology Integration, FAA Tech Center; and Haddon Antonucci, Policy Director, office of local Congressman Jeff Van Drew, a staunch advocate for the FAA Tech Center and AAM.

Workshop sessions cover the following topics: infrastructure data integrity; performance-based infrastructure; performance-based fire protection in AAM; FAA AAM infrastructure update; AAM infrastructure and insurance; AAM operations at airports; AAM digital infrastructure; drone and droneport integration; and micro grids for AAM. Moderators include representatives of eVTOL developers, architecture and engineering firms, infrastructure companies, AAM thought leaders and FAA officials.

As with past workshops, VFS will be providing a one-of-a-kind forum to stakeholders and interested parties from industry and government to discuss the latest efforts, advancements and challenges as it relates to AAM infrastructure. While many are talking about infrastructure for eVTOL and other types of AAM aircraft, VFS has been actively developing consensus-based solutions through its highly successful workshop series to shape the future.

Who should attend: eVTOL manufacturers, federal and state department of transportation (DOT) officials, FAA officials, municipality leaders, Department of Defense (DOD) leaders, infrastructure designers, architecture and engineering firms, insurance companies, FAA Part 135 certificate holders, building and fire code professionals, land-use professionals, and everyone else interested in learning more about Advanced Air Mobility.