UTAH – Exciting developments in advanced air mobility are on the horizon, with experiments set to begin within the next year on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including what could be described as “flying cars.” The announcement was made at Governor Spencer Cox’s One Utah Summit at Southern Utah University, where Aaron Starks, CEO of aerospace and defense association 47G, outlined ambitious plans for this innovative technology.
“We can’t keep building horizontally. We have to think vertically. We’re proud Gov. Cox has given us the mandate to put this in place ahead of the Olympics,” Starks remarked, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking solutions in urban transportation. He showcased a promotional video for “Midnight,” an all-electric VTOL aircraft developed by Archer, and announced that within the next six to eight months, 47G plans to select 10 sites across Utah for initial experiments involving cargo and passenger aircraft.
“The timing is right over the next year to lay a foundation for development so we can go vertical,” Starks told FOX 13 News in an interview following his presentation. “Once that happens, we’ll bring a certified aircraft into the state and then work with the FAA for a certified flight.”
47G is collaborating with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the governor’s office, and the Utah Inland Port Authority on these pioneering experiments. Starks highlighted that these electric aircraft emit a noise level of about 40 decibels, making them environmentally friendly. “Better on the environment,” he noted.
Utah has been gearing up for a future that includes air taxis and delivery drones. The state legislature’s Transportation Committee has been proactive, passing bills to regulate airspace and delegate oversight to UDOT. Earlier this year, UDOT conducted its own experiments on vertical takeoff and landing, including a test in a Layton parking lot.
Intermountain Healthcare and Walmart have already participated in delivery drone experiments, with Intermountain using Zipline to deliver prescriptions to select households since 2022.
According to Chris Metts, a former FAA official overseeing 47G’s “Project Alta” (Air Logistics Transportation Alliance), initial plans include utilizing existing airports as “vertiport” sites. “There are 49 airports in Utah,” Metts told FOX 13 News. “Airports can be modified to support these vertical aircraft operations. We’ll likely start in that area, and in concert with UDOT, we’ll identify those sites.”
While the goal is to have operational air taxis by the 2034 Olympics, Metts acknowledged that several critical questions must be addressed through these experiments. “It needs to be safe, secure — a lot of people worry about the security of these things as well — and financially viable,” he stated, adding that collaboration with UDOT and local communities will be essential in addressing airspace restrictions and other concerns.
Starks envisions integrating advanced aircraft into existing mass transit systems for Utahns. “We want to bring the everyday commuter and consumer into this market. Our goal is to provide a consumer-friendly operation that incorporates these aircraft into transit authority operations,” he said.
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