[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6193495,"mediaKeyId","3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b","parentId",3867047,"title","DOTD seeks consultant for statewide Advanced Air Mobility strategic plan; committee to pursue 'Future of Aviation Day' and workforce partnerships","audioSeconds",606,"startMs",4413000,"endMs",5019000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b&start=4413&end=5019","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b/thumbnail_4413000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193495/Louisiana/DOTD-seeks-consultant-for-statewide-Advanced-Air-Mobility-strategic-plan-committee-to-pursue-Future-of-Aviation-Day-and-workforce-partnerships","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193495-49bbea2556cdf9e727fc549ee15cb60a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442804&Signature=hIv-LiISGJ4-KEAQg8gGstHGmWLfcHxhUqAKcT95t9oOyIjwIAyrOkmHQBqDXRoXqfagBAhvOTODiwLm2vN1bQXRX1c3kBY6ak0PmRAbWSr-gYtGihO7ygSwb45klC279jchCwbcptTjRZaHbuyJSXHCeqp3wA03YLqsa5vrLCTNAgi2eCMgpwLVdtmCX-8-7yg7MqW1LJjv3OYnC1YWY1mL3-xoSgDpvuN~EUaQX~Cwp1Ji0py5r2xyFxtHfogAEzPMhujpU6K2s61xo9R6bkY1mx9cTK6UlZ6XTL7fjFmD-zrLHDpN4kSuIMkmyyJ0ndLlrwaEdujPKTO-Hq721Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","DOTD staff told the Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee the department has advertised a contract to develop a statewide Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) strategic plan and will include economic impact analysis, corridor identification, public engagement and a webinar series. Committee members also discussed organizing a public “Future of Aviation Day” to educate legislators, students and the public about emerging aviation technologies and workforce opportunities.

A DOTD representative said the strategic plan will begin with a SWOT analysis for the state, examine heliport and airport infrastructure needs, consider possible air‑route corridors, and include social media and public‑education elements. The request will also include grant‑writing support to pursue federal funding for infrastructure projects.

Committee members suggested the Future of Aviation Day should be co‑hosted with industry and education partners, include demonstrations (aircraft and chargers), and provide pathways information for high‑school and community‑college students. Several members cited existing programs to build on, including the VAI rotor pathway program and AOPA high‑school curricula that other states have used to create aviation pipelines.

Public commenters urged the committee to track parallel federal rulemaking. Travis Moran of CERC Reliability Corporation alerted members to an anticipated FAA notice of proposed rulemaking under the FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act (section 2209 referenced in public comment), which could include permanent unmanned aircraft flight restriction (UAFR) mechanisms for critical infrastructure and will have a public comment period. Moran urged the committee to review and respond when the NPRM appears.

The committee also heard support remarks from airport planners and operators who said AAM infrastructure and workforce planning could produce long‑term economic benefits. Chris Grow, an airport planner with Cutchens & Grow, told the panel the state should use a Future of Aviation Day to take the case to the Capitol and to other agencies (agriculture, energy) that intersect with aviation.

Quorum and next steps: Committee leadership said the meeting lost a quorum late in the session, so members agreed to continue planning by email and bring any formal motions to the next meeting for a vote. Chair DePree said DOTD will keep the consultant procurement and the Future of Aviation Day on the committee’s agenda and invited members to respond to an upcoming planning email.

Ending: The committee concluded with a pledge to coordinate DOTD strategic planning, industry demonstrations, and workforce partnerships; a formal vote to adopt specific event plans or to allocate resources was deferred until a future meeting where quorum is present.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Drone Advisory Jun 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","DOTD announced a planned statewide Advanced Air Mobility strategic plan procurement and the committee agreed to pursue a public 'Future of Aviation Day' and stronger links to workforce pathways (high‑school and community college programs); a quorum was lost so no official committee vote was taken.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193500,"Beta Technologies, Metro Aviation seek Louisiana support for electric aircraft network; operators highlight patient-transport benefits",891,2721000,3612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b&start=2721&end=3612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b/thumbnail_2721000.jpg","/articles/6193500/Louisiana/Beta-Technologies-Metro-Aviation-seek-Louisiana-support-for-electric-aircraft-network-operators-highlight-patient-transport-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193500-effcb3b8199dca723db6dce1a7f9448c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442804&Signature=dgwHRvLwRrZwLrCmA6Eg8TvL0rhffN3uCxarC2rwM7-5rIVIrDLcDz9pF5q0YVRxf8BFN-bBhHeL2FS5Af5nLs4tV8m2TTMDUUlZV19U35uBVfrz8ZYnRQQXluUimsNEKi0HEE-ZNBE-1G8CSgJHVq5rTuDB8gdUmGBXzH2aCEqKrhHeJVKVQdRJm0ZRPCWbEP96PtiyUBoLQt30WzNcz3fRuiA8dGKB1X8xL2ChBUUOSnnGIfCXXpC3b06kY-3d64IUU5mJhIgvZRlkq8FRj8IBW4yjoIp5vv-cADxlHcw-dw5s5MLfIzjl0i9FiMmW4daVn1CQT2WliaeLN7a2qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beta Technologies and Metro Aviation told the Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee they are operating electric aircraft and a compatible charging network and asked for state investment in charging infrastructure and workforce training to expand emergency medical and regional transport services in Louisiana.

The presentations outlined two parts: Beta Technologies described aircraft and its charging “cube” network, and Todd Stanberry of Metro Aviation explained how lower acquisition and operating costs could enable expanded emergency medical services. The companies said they already operate chargers and aircraft in other states and have two chargers active in Louisiana, including one at Baton Rouge’s BTR airport.

Christopher Miller, network development at Beta Technologies, said the company has deployed about 50 charging stations nationwide and emphasized a non‑proprietary approach: “This is completely multimodal and interoperable. It’s non proprietary. What’s good for all is good for all.” Miller showed photos and routes Beta has flown to demonstrate aircraft and charger operations and said the company manufactures its charger hardware in the United States.

Todd Stanberry, who identified himself as an owner of Metro Aviation, described the company’s operational case for electric aircraft in EMS. Stanberry said Metro operates 175 aircraft and that “309 of them are in the state of Louisiana” (referring to employees in‑state), and argued the electric systems could halve acquisition costs and reduce operating expenses. He said plans include buying 20 aircraft and completing medical interiors in Louisiana, which would create local manufacturing and training jobs.

Panel members and DOTD staff focused on infrastructure and regulatory integration. Committee members asked whether existing heliports and airport helipads could host vertiport chargers; Miller said the FAA is developing guidance and Beta’s chargers are designed to work at airports and heliports. Miller outlined aircraft capabilities discussed during Q&A: conventional electric aircraft range “about 250 to 300 nautical miles” and the VTOL configuration “about 100 to 200 nautical miles,” and passenger capacity for the discussed aircraft is five passengers plus a pilot. Miller and Stanberry emphasized flight‑planning discipline and FAA reserve requirements remain part of operations.

Metro Aviation asked the state to help accelerate charger deployment, proposing an initial, “crawl‑walk‑run” investment in chargers at major city hubs (New Orleans, Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette) and at Acadian Ambulance bases. Stanberry said some chargers already exist and that airports or operators can apply typical fuel‑flow or access fees to recover costs, but the up‑front charger capital is a barrier for rapid scaling. He also noted local completions (medical interiors), simulator training and maintenance facilities would create jobs in Louisiana.

Officials from DOTD said the agency’s aviation section is working on heliport registration, airport system planning and would be engaged in vertiport infrastructure efforts. Committee members suggested linking workforce initiatives (high‑school and community college pathways) with industry programs such as the VAI rotor pathway and AOPA curricula to develop pilots, mechanics and technicians needed for an expanding AAM sector.

Ending: The committee thanked the companies and signaled continued engagement with DOTD, Metro Aviation and Beta on charger siting, funding models and workforce training; several members accepted invitations to visit Beta and Metro facilities for follow‑up.","Beta Technologies and Metro Aviation described electric vertical and conventional aircraft, charging infrastructure already deployed and a plan for EMS operations; operators asked the state to help fund additional charging stations and training capacity.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6193505,"Louisiana reports 135 drone violations at Super Bowl; new state law gives local authorities mitigation authority",1817,304000,2121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b&start=304&end=2121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867047-021980124b0fa3de43a74e81c0221f8b/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6193505/Louisiana/Louisiana-reports-135-drone-violations-at-Super-Bowl-new-state-law-gives-local-authorities-mitigation-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193505-a8c19b64300789bf0cb273c532710f1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442804&Signature=ffUFMkyZWJdPte3-QKW6S23zCPTYj2l3wpOfnt4O2LUndb6lrHk3Pgek6IaIppBbNJrNJaqTCh65qxV3XwL6evAQQi76A7yvWwMHvmwa57xDRqaarUy7lpkQ3z4584XaERkrNL4Fv5V6p6Dsbo7NXrKsnmVjcGSoAQMJX8zrSKhhlCepuJ-Cw7XjNGF9nBVZLLe-cHzDYTJWYXhWCDTRell5BFpTYx-d2VQW69ctS5CDPWvbFAiZ1Y~tL~Xvax2cZiBOrb6LJq~n-1b~R6gzjbmYLGUeVwohLflkUFmQG0aE58Fas8bawBcIaxc3wkXE5DU1KQsL7rBriF5qVfCKcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Louisiana State Police and GOSEP officials told the Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee that counter-unmanned aircraft system (counter‑UAS) operations during this year’s Super Bowl and Mardi Gras detected hundreds of airspace violations and helped federal partners produce forensic evidence for some drones.

The update matters because the legislature this year enacted House Bill 261 (now Act 170) and Senate Bill 9 (now Act 23), measures speakers said expand the state’s ability to protect critical infrastructure and allow mitigation by state and local law enforcement.

Sergeant Scott Gregg of the Louisiana State Police, deputy director of LA SAFE and state coordinator for drone and counter‑drone operations, summarized operational results from the Super Bowl: “For the Super Bowl, we had 135 detected violations. Of those, we only went after … 82 times. Of those 82 times we put a ground team on them, we got 66 pilots, and then when we say flight mitigated, that was our federal partners.” Gregg said the combined ground‑intercept effort produced an interception rate of about 59 percent for detections they pursued.

Cleve Franklin, deputy statewide interoperability coordinator at GOSEP, described the technical and multi‑agency approach that supported those results: multiple detection layers (remote ID, RF sensing, radar, and vendor products) were deployed and integrated with federal partners and local ground teams. Gregg described the layered approach and said, “remote ID’s one layer, RF’s another layer, radar’s another layer” and that no single system was relied upon.

Officials said the Super Bowl operation informed the Mardi Gras posture. Gregg gave numbers for the later operation: “We only deployed 126 times. Out of the 274, we got 80 of those pilots and 28 of them were mitigated.” He said mitigation in many cases was performed by federal partners (FBI, Coast Guard) and that Customs and Border Protection’s forensic lab has examined recovered drones to extract evidence.

Committee member Thomas Mule, who briefed the panel on legislative developments, said stakeholders worked with Representative Gallay and others to pass House Bill 261, now Act 170, and he noted Senator Bass’s Senate Bill 9 has become Act 23; Mule said the latter “amends the definition of critical infrastructure to include military facilities.” Mule said Act 170 “makes Louisiana the first state in the country to allow for mitigation by state and local law enforcement.”

Officials stressed limits and practicalities. Gregg said the mitigation tools used by federal partners are expensive and require careful planning: “You could knock out other things, depending on what they’re at. So, it’s a huge responsibility.” He also said arrests during the operations were zero and most contacts resulted in civil or administrative follow‑up: “When we contact the people, they’d fill out all the information, send us pictures of the various drones, and then send them on their way because that’s about all we could do at the time.”

Public‑facing outreach was also a key lesson. Officials printed flyers, distributed signs along parade routes and used social media, concluding that many pilots who violated temporary flight restrictions were “ignorant and ill informed” rather than malicious. Gregg and Franklin urged early planning, cross‑agency communications, redundant detection systems and public education for future large events.

The committee discussed next steps and policy implications. Members and presenters agreed the new state laws will add capabilities but will also require agencies to refine rules of engagement, acquire and train on mitigation equipment, and coordinate with federal partners on tactics and forensics. The committee did not take a formal vote on operational policy at this meeting; presenters said federal partners still performed many of the electronic mitigations during the events and that state agencies were building organic capabilities.

Ending: Committee members thanked presenters for the operational briefing and discussed follow‑up items: better data sharing with port and airport stakeholders, clearer public outreach strategies for large events, and continuing multi‑agency training to integrate detection, ground intercept and forensic exploitation.","State and federal partners described detection, interception and forensics from Super Bowl and Mardi Gras operations and credited recent laws — House Bill 261 (Act 170) and Senate Bill 9 (Act 23) — with expanding legal tools for protecting critical infrastructure and events.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DOTD seeks consultant for statewide Advanced Air Mobility strategic plan; committee to pursue 'Future of Aviation Day' and workforce partnerships

Beta Technologies, Metro Aviation seek Louisiana support for electric aircraft network; operators highlight patient-transport benefits

Louisiana reports 135 drone violations at Super Bowl; new state law gives local authorities mitigation authority