The AAM Readiness Index Is Expanding Nationwide
- Aaron Thelenwood
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
The Airport AAM Readiness Index started with a simple goal:
To bring clarity to a space that was generating a lot of interest—but not always clear
direction.
In its initial phase, the Index focused on Michigan. That was intentional. It provided a defined environment, in a state where AAM is actively expanding, to test a framework, refine the questions, and understand how airports were thinking about AAM in practice—not just in theory.
What it revealed went beyond individual results. It revealed a pattern.
What We Learned
Across participating airports, the same themes surfaced consistently:
Airports are paying attention. They understand AAM is coming. They see potential.
But many are still asking the same questions:
What does this actually look like here?
What should we be doing now?
Where are the real opportunities?
How do we get involved in a meaningful way?
The gap wasn’t a lack of awareness.
It was a lack of alignment.
Between:
Infrastructure and use cases
Policy and implementation
Funding and execution
Interest and action
That insight shaped everything that followed.
Learn more here: https://www.aamradar.com/AAMReadinessIndex
Why Expand Now
The conditions that drove the Index in Michigan are no longer localized.
They’re national.
Across the country:
Federal programs like eIPP are beginning to define structure
State-level funding is expanding
Infrastructure conversations are becoming more tangible
Use cases are moving from concept to early deployment
At the same time, airports in every region are facing the same challenge:
Understanding where AAM fits—and what to do next. That’s why the Index is expanding.
What’s Changing — And What’s Not
The expansion of the AAM Readiness Index is not about scaling a static survey.
It’s about strengthening a framework.
The core remains the same:
Establishing a baseline of AAM engagement and readiness
Capturing both quantitative and qualitative signals
Providing a structured way to assess maturity
But the next phase goes further.
The Index is being refined to:
Remove region-specific assumptions
Reflect broader national conditions
Align more directly with emerging federal and state frameworks
Strengthen how readiness translates into action
This is not about comparison. It's about context.
What Participating Airports Receive
Airports that complete the AAM Readiness Index Survey receive a custom AAM Readiness Summary Report.
That report provides:
A clear snapshot of current readiness
Context behind the score
Identification of strengths and gaps
Insight into where AAM may fit operationally
More importantly, it provides a starting point. A way to move from general interest into informed decision-making.
Connecting to What Comes Next
Understanding readiness is one piece. Understanding what to do with that readiness is the next. That’s where tools like AAMRadar come in—building on the Index to connect readiness with real-world deployment opportunities.
The Bigger Picture
AAM is not lacking momentum—it’s gaining structure. But that structure is forming unevenly. Some regions are moving toward deployment, while others are still working to understand where to begin. The AAM Readiness Index is designed to close that gap, not by predicting the future, but by clarifying the present.
The Bottom Line
AAM will not scale through isolated efforts. It will scale through alignment.
Alignment between:
Airports and operators
Infrastructure and use cases
Policy and execution
Local conditions and broader systems
The AAM Readiness Index provides a starting point for that alignment.
Now, it’s expanding to support that effort nationwide.
Get Involved
If you’re an airport looking to understand where AAM fits in your environment, the AAM Readiness Index is the first step.