VAI supports California’s efforts to expand GA airport grants

VAI supports California’s efforts to expand GA airport grants

Urges more funding and supports the state’s inclusion of emerging aviation technologies and infrastructure improvements.

Vertical Aviation International (VAI), a leading global trade association representing the vertical aviation industry, has submitted comments on proposed updates to Title 21 regulations by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). These updates focus on new categories of airport projects eligible for grant funding under the Caltrans Acquisition and Development (A&D) Program.

The update specifically targets the Caltrans’ Acquisition and Development (A&D) Program and proposes adding four additional project categories eligible for funding:

• Charging Stations: Procurement and installation of airport charging stations for zero-emission vehicles or aircraft and any capital improvements necessary for their installation or operation.

• Renewable Energy Microgrid System: Procurement and installation of an airport electric grid system, or its components, that operates on renewable energy and any capital improvements necessary for its installation or operation.

• Educational Facilities and Equipment: Capital improvements necessary to provide facilities for community outreach, aviation education programs, and procurement of aviation training equipment such as small-unmanned aircraft systems, flight simulators, and similar devices, to be used for community outreach and educational purposes.

• Fueling Facilities and Equipment: Conversion, upgrade, or replacement of existing fueling facilities and equipment necessary to provide unleaded aviation gasoline, sustainable aviation fuels, or to comply with regulatory requirements.

• Helipads. Construction or reconstruction of helipads for helicopters or other vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and associated grading and drainage improvements.

• Airport improvements and equipment for emergency services: Airport improvements or equipment purchases, not listed elsewhere in regulations, that are necessary for an airport to provide emergency support for the community, including, but not limited to, supporting wildfire suppression, natural disaster response and recovery, and medical transport.

In a letter to Caltrans’ Office of Technical Services, VAI director of regulatory affairs Amber Harrison praised the state’s efforts to support climate, energy, and sustainability goals through this program. VAI, representing over 1,000 aviation businesses and 15,000 professionals across 75 countries, voiced strong support for funding initiatives for emerging technologies such as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and eVTOLs, as well as infrastructure improvements, emergency services helipads, and workforce education facilities to address the pilot and mechanic/engineer shortage facing the industry.

While commending the proposed updates, VAI also urged California to increase funding for the Aeronautics Account in the State Transportation Fund to ensure General Aviation airports can fully benefit from the grant expansion.

VAI remains committed to collaborating with industry and government to safely integrate new technologies into airspace.

To learn more about the proposed grant updates and VAI’s efforts in this area, visit here.