Our partnership with the Advanced Air Mobility Institute (AAMI) connects today’s drone students to tomorrow’s most exciting aviation careers. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)—a new era of electric air taxis, autonomous cargo drones, and urban air mobility—is no longer science fiction. With commercial operations targeted to launch as early as 2026, the future of flight is arriving now. The AAM Institute is the international nonprofit research organization ensuring this transformation is safe, equitable, and benefits everyone. This partnership provides a direct pathway from the classroom to the cockpit of next-generation aircraft.
What is Advanced Air Mobility?
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) represents a fundamental shift in transportation. It involves a new class of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to move people and cargo between places more efficiently. Think of quiet, electric air taxis operating in urban areas, regional air mobility connecting smaller communities, and large-scale drone delivery networks. Key industry players like Joby Aviation, Archer, and Beta Technologies are already deep into development and testing. Because these aircraft are electric and don’t require traditional runways, AAM promises to make aviation cleaner, quieter, and more accessible. The timeline is accelerating, with initial commercial services expected by 2026 and scaled operations by 2028.
About the AAM Institute
The Advanced Air Mobility Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research center, not an industry trade group. Its mission is to guide the ethical deployment of AAM technology for the public good. The institute is led by a credible board of industry CEOs and a research council featuring top-tier universities like Embry-Riddle and Purdue. This global organization advocates for AAM to benefit all communities, not just wealthy early adopters. With over 400 attendees from 76 nations at its global forum, AAMI is a respected leader in shaping the future of aviation careers.
The Drone-to-Air-Taxi Career Pathway
The journey to an AAM workforce development role begins today, and the foundational skills are learned in drone programs. A student starting our [Part 107 Course] now will have the aeronautical knowledge and a federal credential before they even graduate high school. The screen-based piloting skills, regulatory compliance, and safety culture developed through drone operations are directly transferable to the drone to eVTOL career pipeline.
The cockpit of an air taxi looks more like a drone ground station than a traditional aircraft. While the FAA’s final requirements for an eVTOL pilot will likely include a commercial certificate and a powered-lift rating, the journey starts with the Part 107. Students who begin their training now gain a significant timeline advantage, positioning them to be job-ready precisely when the industry begins to scale and hire aggressively.
Careers in the Future of Flight
The demand for skilled professionals in this emerging sector is projected to be massive. Industry forecasts estimate a need for 19,000 to 60,000 eVTOL pilots by 2028, with salaries ranging from $100,000 to $190,000. Beyond piloting, this revolution will create thousands of new jobs in maintenance, software engineering, vertiport operations, and air traffic management. Companies like Joby, Archer, and Wisk are hiring now to build their teams. For students with a solid aviation foundation from programs like our [School Programs] and [Drone Racing Programs], this creates a first-mover advantage for an air taxi pilot pathway.
Closing
Our partnership with the Advanced Air Mobility Institute provides a complete pathway from classroom curiosity to a career in advanced aviation. Students aren’t just learning about the future—they are actively preparing to build and lead it. The industry that will define aviation for the next 50 years is being created right now, and we are giving your students the launchpad they need to be a part of it.