More than 300 researchers, policymakers, and aviation leaders convened at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for the inaugural Florida Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium, a two-day event focused on the future of next-generation aircraft and their potential to reshape passenger and cargo transportation while driving economic growth.

Held May 11-12 at the university’s Daytona Beach campus, the symposium was organized by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in partnership with Embry-Riddle. The gathering united experts from government, academia, and industry to discuss the safe integration, development, and economic opportunities associated with AAM technologies in Florida and across the United States. The event concluded with a live flight demonstration from BETA Technologies, an electric aerospace manufacturer.

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue described the symposium as a major step toward Florida’s goal of becoming the nation’s first state to support commercial AAM operations. He emphasized that collaboration among industry stakeholders will be essential in accelerating the adoption of these emerging technologies and bringing them into Florida’s airspace.

Advanced Air Mobility encompasses a wide range of innovative aircraft, including autonomous drones and passenger air taxis. The sector is expected to expand rapidly, creating substantial economic opportunities and high-skilled jobs. With companies actively testing aircraft and federal agencies working on airspace integration, discussions at the symposium focused on technology, infrastructure, communications, air traffic management, safety, policy, workforce development, and security challenges surrounding AAM.

Participants also examined how AAM could generate economic value, aligning closely with the mission of Embry-Riddle’s David B. O'Maley College of Business to advance aviation and aerospace business education.

P. Barry Butler, president of Embry-Riddle, highlighted the university’s commitment to supporting collaborative efforts that will shape the future of aviation. He noted that the institution’s research capabilities and partnerships with industry and government strengthen Florida’s position as a leading center for AAM innovation.

Experts at the symposium explored the use of AAM technologies in emergency response, firefighting, rescue missions, and medical transportation. Discussions also covered various aircraft categories, including vertical- and short-takeoff systems, along with propulsion methods such as electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered technologies.

Panel sessions addressed practical aspects of implementing AAM, including the development of electrified infrastructure, construction of vertiports, integration into complex airspace systems, workforce training for pilots and maintenance crews, and public acceptance of new forms of air transportation. Additional discussions focused on operational strategies, economic development opportunities, infrastructure planning, and security considerations.

Government officials and aviation executives agreed that safety must remain the top priority as AAM operations move closer to commercialization. They also noted that the industry has the potential to modernize aviation by lowering noise levels, improving air traffic systems, advancing automation, and expanding air travel access in urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Speakers credited Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers for fostering a supportive environment for AAM advancement. Florida has already updated legislation to allow vertiports and electric charging systems to qualify for transportation funding and is home to key AAM infrastructure projects such as FDOT’s SunTrax Air facility, which includes the country’s first dedicated AAM test track.

Attendees also witnessed a live demonstration from BETA Technologies, which showcased its fully electric fixed-wing aircraft, the ALIA CTOL, at Embry-Riddle’s Flight Line near Daytona Beach International Airport. Participants additionally experienced an immersive electric vertical takeoff and landing simulator from Joby Aviation, a developer of electric passenger air taxis.

Jeremy Ernst, vice president for Research and Doctoral Programs at Embry-Riddle, said the symposium offered attendees a unique opportunity to explore strategies for integrating AAM technologies into existing transportation systems. He added that participants were able to engage directly with emerging technologies, learn about current research efforts, and connect with government and industry leaders to identify future opportunities for AAM expansion.

Embry-Riddle, FDOT, and the state of Florida plan to continue working alongside industry partners to accelerate the integration of Advanced Air Mobility through technological innovation, infrastructure development, policy planning, and workforce training initiatives aimed at shaping the future of aviation in the United States.

United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund SM, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating research, production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel, was launched in an effort to rally businesses and consumers (SAF).

United and its inaugural partners Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell have invested more than $100 million in the fund. These and possibly other corporate participants will invest alongside United in SAF technology and production start-ups identified by United through the fund.

United Airlines Ventures has invested in start-ups such as Cemvita, Dimensional Energy, and NEXT Renewable Fuels in the last two years alone.

In a first for a U.S. airline, anyone purchasing a ticket on the United website or app can now contribute to supplement United's investment in the fund. As a thank you, the first 10,000 people who contribute will each receive 500 MileagePlus Miles.

SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that, when compared to conventional jet fuel alone, reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with air travel. SAF, which is currently blended with conventional jet fuel to meet regulatory requirements for use in aircraft, is made from used cooking oil and agricultural waste and could be made from other feedstocks in the future, such as household trash or forest waste. United has invested the most in the future production of SAF (over three billion gallons) of any airline in the world. 

"Solving climate change is doable but it requires hard work and real leadership," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "This fund is unique. It's not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we're creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch. That's the only way we can actually decarbonize aviation."

Sustainable Flight Fund  
The UAV Sustainable Flight Fund is open to investment from corporations across industries, and it will prioritize investment in new technology, advanced fuel sources, and proven producers in order to scale SAF supply. The fund's partners may also gain preferential access to environmental attributes associated with United's supply of SAF.

Companies interested in joining the fund can visit united.com/ventures.

Consumer Education
United is also educating customers about their carbon footprint from air travel and giving them the option to take action.

United is the first U.S. airline to show customers an estimate of each flight's carbon footprint in their search, beginning today on United.com and the United app. Green shading will indicate a lower-carbon option in a customer's chosen itinerary per economy seat passenger. The carbon footprint of a flight is measured in kilograms CO2e (kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent), and United's estimates, which may differ from actual flight emissions, are based on aircraft type, flight time, seat capacity, and the number of passengers and cargo on a given flight.

And, before checking out, customers who book flights within or from the United States will see an option to contribute to United's investment in the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund. Customers can make a contribution of $1, $3.50, or $7.00.

To demonstrate the potential impact of customer action at scale, the default option for customer contributions is set at $3.50: if each of the 152 million people who flew on United in 2022 contributed just $3.50 to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, that would be enough to design and build a SAF refinery capable of producing up to 40 million gallons of alternative fuel annually.

The Importance of SAF
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act includes the largest governmental climate change investments in U.S. history, including a new blender's tax credit specifically for SAF, as well as other critical clean energy and carbon capture incentives, which will help spur an increase in SAF infrastructure and supply while lowering SAF consumer costs.

The United States military currently uses nearly five billion gallons of jet fuel per year, and the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense to use a jet fuel blend containing at least 10% SAF by 2028.

And, according to the US Department of Energy, the country's vast feedstock resources are sufficient to meet the entire US aviation industry's projected SAF demand.

United's Goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050

United aims to be completely green by reducing its GHG emissions by 100% by 2050, without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In addition to the UAV Sustainable Flight Fund, United has launched a SAF purchasing program called the Eco-Skies Alliance and established a venture fund - United Airlines Ventures - to identify and invest in companies and technologies that can decarbonize air travel. Carbon capture, hydrogen-electric engines, electric regional aircraft, and air taxis are among the strategic investments.