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Utah’s aerospace and defense association, 47G, in collaboration with the Utah Governor’s Office, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the Utah Inland Port Authority, and industry stakeholders, has launched an innovative initiative called “Project Alta.” This initiative, known as the Air Logistics Transportation Alliance (ALTA), aims to establish an advanced air mobility (AAM) system across Utah. AAM represents a new form of transportation using electric aircraft to safely and seamlessly move people and packages.
Project Alta’s mission is to create an efficient aerial transportation system that integrates seamlessly with Utah’s existing ground transportation network. The alliance plans to expand drone package delivery to more communities, utilize drones for cargo transport, and establish regional air taxi services by 2034. With Utah set to host the Winter Olympic Games in 2034, the efficient movement of people and goods will be crucial.
“Utah has unique assets—growth, tourism, business, beautiful national parks—47G’s work to establish statewide air mobility solutions will allow visitors from around the world to access everything Utah has to offer,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “Aerospace, defense and cyber companies make up 20% of Utah’s economy. 47G Project Alta has a mandate from the state to lead our advanced air mobility strategy, positioning Utah to become a global leader in this fast-growing industry.”
Utah is one of the few states undertaking a comprehensive, statewide approach supported by state and local government, industry, and academia. Forward-thinking policies have been enacted by Utah legislators to create a regulatory framework conducive to the growth of AAM technologies. Laws have been passed to enable the creation of air mobility systems and direct UDOT to establish an “AAM sandbox” for safe testing. So far, over $3 million has been appropriated for AAM initiatives.
“Project Alta represents a collaborative, public-private partnership of industry and government stakeholders seeking to establish the first nationally recognized multi-modal transportation system with air mobility as a core tenet,” said Aaron Starks, 47G president and CEO. “By leveraging our entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge technologies, we will attract investment, accelerate the development of critical infrastructure, and enable the deployment of aircraft that make our transportation system truly multimodal.”
Numerous Utah-based companies are playing key roles in the global AAM market:
Zipline: Partnered with Intermountain Health to deliver medicine to homes via drone.
Hexcel: Supplies carbon fiber for air taxis made by Archer Aviation.
Electric Power Systems: Provides cutting-edge batteries to various electric aircraft manufacturers.
Albany Engineered Composites: Develops structural components for air taxis made by Beta Technologies.
Intergalactic: Manufactures thermal management systems for Embraer’s Eve aircraft.
“During my decade in Congress, I had the privilege of serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence where I played a key role enacting legislation that protected our national security,” said former Congressman Chris Stewart, chair of 47G. “47G Project Alta’s ground-breaking work will not only improve Utahns’ mobility but also protect our national security by creating a national model for air mobility collaboration that can be replicated around the country.”
Nation-leading work requires the right companies and the right people. To this end, 47G has strategically hired a former senior-ranking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official to oversee Project Alta. Chris Metts, who spent 31 years at the FAA and oversaw national AAM activities, brings a wealth of experience to Utah, having authored AAM research studies for NASA.
“I have known Chris Metts for decades and have found him to be an innovative and collaborative leader who understands the issues, seeks consensus and can hit the ground running,” said former FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Project Alta Chair. “Chris is an exceptional leader who will prioritize safety and security above all else. We are lucky to have him leading this generational initiative.”
The post Utah Introduces Pioneering Air Mobility System with Project Alta appeared first on Travel And Tour World.”}]] [[{“value”:”Reading Time: 3 minutes Utah’s aerospace and defense association, 47G, in collaboration with the Utah Governor’s Office, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the Utah Inland Port Authority, and industry stakeholders, has launched an innovative initiative called “Project Alta.”
The post Utah Introduces Pioneering Air Mobility System with Project Alta appeared first on Travel And Tour World.”}]] Read More Travel And Tour World AIRLINE NEWS, AAM, Advanced Air Mobility, Air Taxis, air transportation, drone delivery, electric aircraft, innovation, Project Alta, Transportation Revolution, Utah