Utah's aerospace and defense association, 47G, in partnership with the Utah Governor's Office, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), the Utah Inland Port Authority and industry stakeholders have launched a game-changing initiative called "Project Alta." The Air Logistics Transportation Alliance (ALTA) is a collaborative partnership with a mission to establish an advanced air mobility (AAM) system for Utah. AAM is a new form of transportation that uses electric aircraft to safely and seamlessly move people and packages.

Project Alta seeks to create a well-functioning transportation system in the air that connects seamlessly with Utah's transportation system on the ground. The alliance aims to expand existing drone package delivery to more Utah communities, utilize drones for cargo transport, and establish regional air taxi service that move people by 2034. With Utah slated to host the world for the Winter Olympic Games in 2034, efficiently moving people and goods will be critically important.

Utah stands out as the one of the only states in the country undertaking a comprehensive, statewide approach supported at the highest levels of state and local government, industry and academia. Utah legislators have enacted forward-thinking policies to create a regulatory framework in which advanced air mobility technologies can flourish. They have passed laws enabling the creation of air mobility systems and directed UDOT to create an "AAM sandbox" that will accelerate these technologies in a safe testing environment. To date, state legislators have appropriated over $3 million for AAM initiatives.

Dozens of Utah-based companies play an active and integral role in the global AAM market:

• Zipline - Partnered with Intermountain Health to deliver medicine to homes via drone
• Hexcel - Supplies carbon fiber for air taxis made by Archer Aviation
  Electric Power Systems - Provides cutting-edge batteries to various electric aircraft manufacturers
• Albany Engineered Composites - Develops structural components for air taxis made by Beta Technologies
• Intergalactic - Manufactures thermal management systems for Embraer's Eve aircraft

Nation-leading work requires the right companies and the right people. To that end, 47G recently announced the strategic hiring of a former senior ranking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official to oversee Project Alta. Chris Metts has held numerous positions during his 31 years at the FAA, including time overseeing AAM activities nationally. Metts has authored AAM research studies for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and brings a wealth of experience to Utah.