SANTA CRUZ, CA — The draft California Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Readiness and Three-Year Implementation Work Plan, issued by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is open for public comment until Friday, January 16th, providing a critical window for industry stakeholders and community members to shape the future of flight in the state.

The comprehensive work plan was developed under guidance from the advisory panel, established through Senator Anna Caballero’s Senate Bill (SB) 800. The legislation required Caltrans to assess the state’s existing infrastructure and identify the pathways necessary to support a robust, equitable vertiport network. DART has remained a steadfast advocate for the legislative and regulatory frameworks needed to transition AAM from concept to reality, including through its active support of SB 800.

“The release of this work plan is a significant step forward in our mission to support AAM growth in California,” said Josh Metz, Executive Director of DART. “By supporting Senator Caballero’s SB 800 and collaborating with state agencies like Caltrans and CalSTA, we are ensuring that California remains at the forefront of aviation innovation while prioritizing environmental sustainability and community resilience.”

Key highlights of the Three-Year Implementation Work Plan include:

• Regulatory Modernization: Reviewing and recommending updates to the State Aeronautics Act to include AAM-specific definitions and permitting processes for vertiports.
• Infrastructure Readiness: Identifying energy needs and funding opportunities to help California’s airports, particularly general aviation facilities, prepare for electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
• Accessibility: Establishing pathways to ensure AAM infrastructure is accessible to all Californians and preventing the monopolization of ownership and operations.
• Community Engagement: Developing best practices for local agencies to conduct public outreach and education regarding the benefits and impacts of AAM.

DART encourages all interested parties to review the draft report and submit their feedback during the public comment period to ensure the final implementation plan reflects the diverse needs of the state’s innovation economy and its residents. The work plan can be accessed at dot.ca.gov/programs/aeronautics.

For more information on DART’s advocacy and other efforts, visit mbdart.org.