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Health, Science & Environment

Springfield, already a hub for flying car research, breaks ground on Advanced Air Mobility Center

 Former F-19 pilot Chuck "Harley" Simones sits in a simulator for Beta Technologies' ALIA eVTOL aircraft.
Ann Thompson
/
WVXU
Former F-19 pilot Chuck "Harley" Simones sits in a simulator for Beta Technologies' ALIA eVTOL aircraft.

The $6 million government infrastructure grant the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport got for the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence is expected to propel it into the future.

On Tuesday, lawmakers, the Air Force, and the State of Ohio will break ground on the building which will support the expanding work of eVTOL researchers, manufacturers and operators. Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) is a type of aircraft that uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically.

The 30,000 square foot building will house administrative, laboratory, and meeting and collaboration rooms with 25,000 square feet of hangar space.

This project is a partnership between Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Agility Prime, the Dayton Development Coalition, the City of Springfield, JobsOhio and eVTOL companies.

The groundbreaking will take place on the second day of the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum, featuring Hoxworth on Blood Delivery Use, Rural Healthcare with Genesis Health Systems, Urban Hospital Use with the Cleveland Clinic and Medical Package Delivery with Workhorse Group, based in Loveland.

The last time WVXU traveled to the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in August, 2021, three eVTOL businesses were ramping up and building their own test hubs. Now more companies are on board.

Copyright 2022 91.7 WVXU. To see more, visit 91.7 WVXU.

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Health, Science & Environment SpringfieldAviationeVTOL
With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.