Committee unanimously reports resolution backing Ohio's bid for FAA advanced air mobility pilot

Representative Willis told the Transportation Committee that House Resolution 304 reaffirms the Ohio House's support for the state's proposal to the Federal Aviation Administration to be chosen as a site for an electric vertical takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) and advanced air mobility integration pilot program.

"Ohio is the home of aviation and aerospace," Willis said in sponsored testimony, citing the state's history with early flight and ongoing aerospace manufacturing and research assets. He named companies and programs he said positioned Ohio to lead advanced air mobility, noting Joby, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Anduril, and referenced SkyVision, a low-altitude airspace management system developed through collaboration involving the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Willis framed the pilot program as focused on high-impact use cases such as cargo logistics, medical transport and improving rural access, and asked the committee for favorable consideration of HR 304.

Vice Chair Daniels moved the resolution be favorably reported and the committee called the roll. The clerk recorded "Yes" votes from Chair Willis; Vice Chair Daniels; Ranking Member Grama; Representative Klopfenstein; Representative McLean; Representative Kevin Miller; Representative Mohammed; Representative Newman; Representative Pizzoli; and Representative Rogers. The chair announced the resolution was reported out of committee with unanimous yes votes and the report will be left open until 5 p.m. for any absentees.

The committee adjourned at 04:12 p.m.