NBAA Joins DOT Secretary, Federal Officials at Texas Airport for Launch of Project Nexus AAM Initiative
Why It MattersThe launch signals accelerating federal and state coordination to build regulatory and infrastructure pathways for advanced air mobility to scale commercially across the United States.
Transportation leaders, federal officials, aviation innovators and industry partners gathered on September 10, 2026, at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) in Texas for the official launch of Project Nexus, a multi-state advanced air mobility initiative that is part of the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. NBAA was prominently represented at the event, which also featured Texas's first public AAM demonstration, with BETA Technologies, Joby, Lift and Merlin conducting eVTOL demonstration flights.
Rocheleau called the occasion a pivotal moment in aviation history, saying it would transform how people and products move and how communities connect, and stressed that building a national regulatory framework was as important as the technology itself. DOT Secretary Duffy highlighted AAM's potential for life-saving missions and cargo transport and said the administration wants the technology developed with American workers and innovation. Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee and authored legislation establishing the Center for Advanced Aviation Technology, pointed to Texas's workforce and geographic advantages as an AAM hub.
The launch follows a series of policy milestones, including the DOT's Advanced Air Mobility National Strategy unveiled last December, the FAA's launch of the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program after a presidential executive order, and the FAA's Special Federal Aviation Regulation for AAM aircraft integration unveiled at NBAA-BACE in October 2024. NBAA's AAM Roundtable, which includes Archer, BETA Technologies, Eve Air Mobility, Hillwood Aviation, Joby Aviation and Wisk, has supported AAM development for many years.
