VAI Northeastern US Regional Representative Josh Rousseau visits the US Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, located inside a World War II hangar, in Cape May, New Jersey. Shore to Soar spotlights NY–NJ region’s efforts in AAM–UAS integration Shore to Soar, an emerging-aviation forum in Cape May County, New Jersey, welcomed local and regional panel experts and presenters to the Cape May Convention Hall Apr. 21–23 to discuss regulatory and policy pathways, counter–unmanned aircraft system (CUAS) operations, airspace integration, and more. VAI Northeastern US Regional Representative Josh Rousseau joined fellow industry members at the event, which featured sessions such as “CUAS in the New Regulatory Paradigm” and “EIPP: Expanding AAM in the Region.” The Cape May area has become a focal point for FAA-led drone detection and airspace safety testing, reflecting its strategic value in the national effort to integrate UAS safely and responsibly. The early results on local efforts in this space are in, with the selection of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s application to the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The Port Authority didn’t just seek to participate in the eIPP but instead offered a plug-and-play environment in which innovation, safety, and operational realism converge. With partners including the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park and the FAA-authorized Cape-Atlantic UAS Test Range, the New York–New Jersey region offers high‑value insights that are helping to accelerate AAM and UAS integration nationwide. By aligning eIPP innovation with responsible drone operations and collaborative airspace management, we’re showing the future of vertical aviation will be built on trust, transparency, and shared vision. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and safety-first thinking, VAI’s leadership continues to help shape an airspace ecosystem that works for everyone.
