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Scott Carraro is an associate project manager and Hanson’s advanced air mobility (AAM) lead. With a background in aviation and civil engineering, he specializes in AAM, airfield design, airspace analysis, stormwater management, grant coordination and federal regulations. He can be reached at acarraro@hanson-inc.com. |
Advanced air mobility is no longer a distant concept but it is becoming a real planning, infrastructure and operational challenge for airports and communities across the country. Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft are proving their viability in tests and real-world use all over the world. From airport planning and engineering to electrification strategy, stakeholder coordination and implementation support, Hanson is helping clients prepare for the technologies, partnerships and investments that will define the next era of aviation. As the AAM momentum builds, the market is underscoring exactly why experienced, forward-thinking partners matter.
From demonstration to deployment
The recent BETA, Republic Airways and Signature Aviation activity at Orlando International Airport sent a clear message: AAM is moving toward real-world deployment. With up to nine legs per day, 36-minute turn times, an estimated energy cost of $16.80 per leg and 100% dispatch reliability reported during Florida operations, the sector proves that performance milestones are aligning with commercial ambition. For Hanson, moments like this reinforce the importance of helping airports and public agencies move beyond curiosity and into action. That includes supporting the planning, engineering, operational coordination and infrastructure strategy needed to translate early demonstrations into practical, scalable programs.
Building the ecosystem for what comes next
In September 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) to accelerate the safe deployment of AAM vehicles in the National Airspace System. In the ongoing eIPP application and selection process, more than 30 states are fully involved in AAM preparations, increasing the need for experienced advisory and implementation partners. Hanson brings a powerful combination of aviation planning, engineering, smart airport strategy, electrification insight and infrastructure delivery support to help clients navigate emerging opportunities with confidence. Whether the challenge involves evaluating vertiport opportunities, preparing airport layouts, coordinating with agencies, structuring future phases of development or accessing nontraditional multi-modal grant funding, the Hanson team is helping turn industry momentum into achievable progress.
The inaugural Florida Advanced Air Mobility Symposium in May 2026 highlighted just how much coordination is required to move this industry forward. With participation from The Florida Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, FAA representatives, original equipment manufacturers, operators, vertiport developers, fixed-base operators, airports, consultants, utility providers and other industry voices, the event reflected a rapidly evolving market. Hanson is well-positioned for exactly this kind of environment and partners with top-quality firms like UrbanV, Signature, Electra Aero, Regent, BETA and others. Our team helps clients navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, align planning with regulatory realities and create practical pathways from strategy to delivery in fast-evolving aviation markets.
Preparing airports for the future of mobility
Airports such as Orlando International, Tampa International, Tallahassee International and others already signal how the future of mobility could evolve through concepts like integrated air mobility hubs and stronger multimodal connections. But realizing that vision will take more than eVTOL aircraft readiness. It will require thoughtful infrastructure planning, electrification, energy resilience, public-private coordination and a clear path from vision to execution. With the combination otechnical expertise and innovation-minded strategy, Hanson helps our clients prepare for more than the next project by shaping the next era of aviation.
