I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6270 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program to 
provide grants related to advanced air mobility infrastructure, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 14, 2021 
Mr. LARSEN of Washington (for himself, Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana, and Ms. 
TITUS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a 
pilot program to provide grants related to advanced air 
mobility infrastructure, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Advanced Aviation In-
frastructure Modernization Act’’ or the ‘‘AAIM Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall es-
tablish a pilot program to provide grants that— 
(1) assist an eligible entity to plan for the de-
velopment and deployment of infrastructure nec-
essary to facilitate AAM operations in the United 
States; and 
(2) make funding available for costs directly re-
lated to construction of public-use vertiports or asso-
ciated infrastructure. 
(b) PLANNING GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
grants to eligible entities to develop comprehensive 
plans under paragraph (2) related to AAM infra-
structure. 
(2) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after receiving a grant under this subsection, an 
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a 
comprehensive plan in a format that may be 
published on the website of the Department of 
Transportation. 
(B) 
PLAN
CONTENTS.—The 
Secretary 
shall establish content requirements for com-
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prehensive plans submitted under this sub-
section, which may include the following: 
(i) The identification of planned or 
potential public-use or private-use vertiport 
locations. 
(ii) A description of infrastructure 
necessary to support AAM operations. 
(iii) A description of types of planned 
or potential AAM operations. 
(iv) The identification of physical and 
digital infrastructure required to meet the 
standards for vertiport design and per-
formance characteristics established by the 
Federal Aviation Administration (as in ef-
fect on the date on which the Secretary 
issues a grant to an eligible entity), includ-
ing modifications to existing infrastructure 
and ground sensors, electric charging and 
other fueling requirements, electric utility 
requirements, wireless and cybersecurity 
requirements, and other necessary hard-
ware or software. 
(v) A description of potential environ-
mental effects of planned construction or 
siting of public-use vertiports, including ef-
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forts to reduce the adverse effects of po-
tential aviation noise. 
(vi) A description of how planned pub-
lic-use or private-use vertiport locations, 
including new or repurposed infrastruc-
ture, fit into existing State and local trans-
portation systems and networks, includ-
ing— 
(I) connectivity to existing public 
transportation hubs and intermodal 
and multimodal facilities; and 
(II) opportunities to create new 
service to areas underserved by air 
transportation, without compromising 
safety and efficiency of other facilities 
and airspace users. 
(vii) A description of how public-use 
vertiport planning will be incorporated in 
State or metropolitan planning documents. 
(viii) The identification of the process 
an eligible entity will undertake to ensure 
an adequate level of community engage-
ment for planned public-use vertiport loca-
tions and planned or anticipated AAM op-
erations, including engagement with under-
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served communities, individuals with dis-
abilities, and racial and ethnic minorities, 
to address equity of access and other prior-
ities. 
(ix) The identification of the actions 
necessary for an eligible entity to under-
take 
the 
construction 
of 
public-use 
vertiports, such as planning studies to as-
sess existing infrastructure, environmental 
studies, studies of projected economic ben-
efit to the community, lease or acquisition 
of an easement or land for new infrastruc-
ture, and activities related to other capital 
costs. 
(x) The identification of State, local, 
or private sources of funding an eligible 
entity may use to assist with the construc-
tion or operation of a public-use vertiport. 
(3) APPLICATION.—To apply for a grant under 
this subsection, an eligible entity shall provide to the 
Secretary an application in such form, at such time, 
and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require. 
(4) SELECTION.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—In awarding grants 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall con-
sider the following: 
(i) Geographic diversity. 
(ii) The need for comprehensive plans 
that— 
(I) facilitate the safe integration 
of AAM operations into the National 
Airspace System; 
(II) improve transportation safe-
ty, connectivity, access, and equity in 
both rural and urban regions in the 
United States; 
(III) 
leverage 
existing 
public 
transportation systems and intermodal 
and multimodal facilities; 
(IV) reduce surface congestion 
and the environmental impacts of 
transportation; 
(V) grow the economy and create 
jobs in the United States; and 
(VI) encourage community en-
gagement when planning for AAM re-
lated infrastructure. 
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(B) 
PRIORITY.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
prioritize awarding grants under this subsection 
to eligible entities that partner with commercial 
AAM entities, institutions of higher education, 
research institutions, or other relevant stake-
holders to develop and prepare a comprehensive 
plan. 
(5) GRANT AMOUNT.—Each grant made under 
this subsection shall be made in an amount that is 
not more than $1,000,000. 
(6) BRIEFING.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 
days after the first comprehensive plan is sub-
mitted under paragraph (2), and every 180 
days thereafter, the Secretary shall provide a 
briefing to the appropriate committees of Con-
gress on the comprehensive plans submitted to 
the Secretary under such paragraph. 
(B) CONTENTS.—The briefing required 
under subparagraph (A) shall include— 
(i) an evaluation of all planned or pro-
posed public-use vertiport locations in-
cluded in the comprehensive plans sub-
mitted under paragraph (2) and how such 
planned or proposed public-use vertiport 
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locations may fit into the overall United 
States transportation system and network; 
and 
(ii) a description of lessons or best 
practices learned through the review of 
comprehensive plans and how the Sec-
retary will incorporate any such lessons or 
best practices into Federal standards or 
guidance for the design and operation of 
AAM infrastructure and facilities. 
(c) CONSTRUCTION GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award 
grants to covered recipients to carry out construc-
tion activities described under paragraph (2). 
(2) ELIGIBLE USES.—A covered recipient may 
use grant funds awarded under this subsection for 
design, bidding, and environmental study activities, 
and other capital costs, as the Secretary determines 
appropriate, directly related to the construction of a 
public-use vertiport or associated infrastructure pur-
suant to the comprehensive plan submitted by such 
covered recipient. 
(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of sub-
sections (b) and (c) of section 47112 of title 49, 
United States Code, and subsections (a) and (b) of 
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section 50101 of such title, shall apply to a grant 
awarded under this subsection. 
(4) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not 
award a grant under this subsection— 
(A) for the acquisition, conversion, or ret-
rofitting of AAM aircraft; or 
(B) for the construction of private-use 
vertiports or associated infrastructure. 
(5) GRANT
TIMING.—The Secretary may not 
issue a grant under this subsection until— 
(A) the Administrator of the Federal Avia-
tion Administration has— 
(i) certified 2 or more models of air-
craft designed to provide AAM transpor-
tation under part 23, 25, 27, or 29 of title 
14, Code of Federal Regulations; and 
(ii) published an advisory circular con-
taining appropriate standards for vertiport 
design and performance characteristics; 
and 
(B) the Secretary has— 
(i) determined that 2 or more AAM 
operators hold certificates under part 119 
of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, 
for such operators to perform air carrier 
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operations covered under part 135 of such 
title; and 
(ii) issued, to 2 or more air carriers 
formed to provide AAM transportation, 
certificates under chapter 411 of title 49, 
United States Code. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
section $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 
and 2023, to remain available until expended. 
(2) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.—Of 
the 
amounts made available under paragraph (1), the 
Secretary may retain up to 1 percent for personnel, 
contracting, and other costs to establish and admin-
ister the pilot program under this section. 
(e) TERMINATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—No grant may be awarded 
under this section after September 30, 2023. 
(2) CONTINUED FUNDING.—Funds authorized 
to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (d) may 
be expended after September 30, 2023— 
(A) for grants awarded prior to September 
30, 2023; and 
(B) for administrative expenses. 
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(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: 
(1) ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY; AAM.—The terms 
‘‘advanced air mobility’’ and ‘‘AAM’’ mean an air 
transportation system that transports individuals 
and property between points in the United States 
using aircraft, such as remotely piloted, autonomous, 
or vertical take-off and landing aircraft, including 
those powered by electric or hybrid driven propul-
sion, in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace. 
(2) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate. 
(3) COMMERCIAL
AAM
ENTITIES.—The term 
‘‘commercial AAM entities’’ means— 
(A) manufacturers of aircraft, avionics, 
propulsion systems, and air traffic management 
systems related to AAM; and 
(B) intended commercial operators of AAM 
aircraft and systems. 
(4) COVERED RECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘covered 
recipient’’ means the recipient of a grant under sub-
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section (b) who has submitted a comprehensive 
plan— 
(A) that has been reviewed by the Sec-
retary pursuant to subsection (b); and 
(B) that the Secretary has determined con-
tains proposed projects that comply with the 
standards for vertiport design and performance 
characteristics described in a published advisory 
circular. 
(5) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a State, local, or Tribal government, 
including a political subdivision thereof; 
(B) an airport sponsor; 
(C) a transit agency; 
(D) a port authority; 
(E) a metropolitan planning organization; 
or 
(F) any combination or consortium of the 
entities described in subparagraphs (A) through 
(E). 
(6) 
METROPOLITAN
PLANNING
ORGANIZA-
TION.—The term ‘‘metropolitan planning organiza-
tion’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
5303(b) of title 49, United States Code. 
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(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Transportation. 
(8) PUBLIC-USE VERTIPORT.—The term ‘‘pub-
lic-use vertiport’’ means a designated location used 
or intended to be used for public purposes and to 
support AAM operations, including the landing, 
takeoff, loading, taxiing, parking, and storage of 
vertical take-off and landing aircraft. 
(9) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means a State 
of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puer-
to Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. 
(10) VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIR-
CRAFT.—The term ‘‘vertical take-off and landing 
aircraft’’ means an aircraft with lift/thrust units 
used to generate powered lift and control and with 
2 or more lift/thrust units used to provide lift during 
vertical take-off or landing. 
SEC. 3. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this Act may be construed as conferring 
upon any person, State, local, or Tribal government the 
authority to determine the safety of any AAM operation 
or the feasibility of simultaneous operations by AAM and 
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conventional aircraft within any given area of the National 
Airspace System. 
Æ 
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