Iowa(IA)

Iowa is adopting a "Community-Centric" AAM strategy, viewing electric aviation as a vital tool for rural healthcare and agricultural efficiency. As of January 2026, the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) is implementing the findings of its 2025 AAM Economic Impact and Safety Study, which identifies medical delivery as the state's most immediate use case.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

Iowa’s strategy is integrated into the FY 2026-2030 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program.

• Aviation Program Funding: The Iowa Transportation Commission recently approved $9.6 million for the FY 2026 State Aviation Program, with specific allocations for vertical infrastructure and safety enhancements at 25 regional airports.
• Land-Use Planning: Iowa DOT is providing technical assistance to rural airport sponsors to help them mitigate obstruction hazards and secure "AAM-ready" land-use permits for future vertiport pads.
• Inter-Modal Integration: The state is focusing on "multimodal stewardship," ensuring that new AAM landing zones are co-located with existing rail and trucking hubs to create seamless cargo transfer points.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Iowa is utilizing its "First-in-the-Nation" spirit to pilot AAM in the agricultural and medical sectors.

• Rural Medical Delivery: A 2026 pilot program aims to connect rural clinics to major trauma centers in Des Moines and Iowa City, testing the use of small eVTOLs for the rapid transport of blood products and emergency prescriptions.
• Ag-Tech Synergies: The state is facilitating the use of heavy-lift autonomous drones for precision agriculture, providing the flight-hour data needed to eventually certify larger passenger-carrying AAM aircraft in rural airspace.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• Iowa DOT Aviation Bureau: iowadot.gov/aviation
• Iowa 2026-2030 Transportation Program: iowadot.gov/program_management