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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
advanced air mobility infrastructure
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to develop or upgrade a statewide aviation plan for advanced air mobility infrastructure. Outlines the circumstances when a political subdivision of Arizona may enact regulations regarding advanced air mobility.
Background
ADOT has exclusive control and jurisdiction over state highways, state routes, state-owned airports and all state-owned transportation systems or modes are vested in the department. Statute requires ADOT to cooperate with all state, local and federal organizations to encourage and advance the safe and orderly development of aviation in Arizona and allows the: 1) assembly and distribution of public information relating to aviation, landing fields, navigational aids and other matters pertaining to aviation; 2) accepting federal monies made available for the advancement of aviation, the acquisition, construction, enlargement, improvement, maintenance, equipment or operation of airports and other air navigation facilities and sites for air navigation facilities or for any other purpose authorized; 3) representing Arizona on issues of routing structures and rate schedules concerning commercial airline traffic; and 4) facilitating of development of a regional airport (A.R.S. §§ 28-332 and 28-8242).
An aircraft operating in Arizona must conform to design, construction and airworthiness standards prescribed by the United States or the appropriate federal agency for the navigation of aircraft subject to its jurisdiction. The governing body of a city or town or the board of supervisors of a county may acquire, establish, construct, own, control, lease, equip, improve, maintain, operate and regulate airports for the use of aircraft within or outside the limits of the city, town or county. A board of directors must operate and govern the airport authority. The board of directors is composed of persons appointed by the governing body of the cities, towns, Indian tribes or counties that are members of the airport authority (A.R.S. §§ 28-8272; 28-8411; and 28-8521).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires ADOT to:
a) develop or upgrade a statewide aviation plan to include vertiports and electric aircraft charging stations and the infrastructure needs of advances in aviation technology;
b) designate a person who has expertise in advanced air mobility within the department as a resource for local and regional jurisdictions that are developing or implementing advances in aviation technology, including an electric powered lift aircraft and electric aircraft;
c) provide educational materials to local and regional decision-makers on the benefits of electric powered lift aircrafts and the advancements in aviation technology; and
d) provide local and regional jurisdictions with a guidebook and technical resources to support uniform planning and zoning requirements across Arizona related to powered lift aircraft, electric aircrafts and advances in aviation technology.
2. Preempts a political subdivision of Arizona or an entity within a political subdivision of Arizona from enacting any ordinance, regulation or rule relating to advanced air mobility, the ownership of an advanced air mobility aircraft or the aerial operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft.
3. Allows a political subdivision of Arizona that controls or owns an airport to enact ordinances, regulations or rules to govern actions that occur within the geographic boundaries of the airport in which the political subdivision controls including:
a) the operation of an advanced air mobility aircraft; and
b) the takeoff or landing of an advanced air mobility aircraft.
4. States that the advanced air mobility requirements apply only to electric aircrafts, including an eCTOL, eVTOL, and a powered lift aircraft, that have both:
a) a gross takeoff weight of 300 pounds or more; and
b) the capability of carrying passengers or cargo.
5. Defines advanced air mobility as an air transportation system that primarily uses an electric aircraft, including eCTOL, eVTOL and powered lift aircrafts, to carry passengers or cargo in an urban or a regional area.
6. Defines eCTOL as an electric conventional takeoff and landing aircraft.
7. Defines eVTOL as an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
8. Defines powered lift aircraft as a heavier-than-air aircraft that is capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing and low-speed flight and that primarily uses engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lifting the aircraft during a takeoff and at least one nonrotating airfoil for lifting the aircraft during horizontal flight.
9. Defines vertiport as an area of land or water or a structure that is primarily used for the takeoff or landing of a powered lift aircraft, including associated buildings or facilities.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 31, 2025
JT/JRM/ci