Kansas(KS)

Kansas is positioning itself as an "Emerging Technology Powerhouse," leveraging its deep-rooted aviation heritage in Wichita to lead the nation in AAM manufacturing and regional logistics. As of January 2026, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Division of Aviation is actively implementing the Kansas AAM Roadmap, unveiled in late 2025 to harmonize the state’s 146 public airports into a cohesive mobility network.

Infrastructure and Regulatory Framework

The Kansas strategy is built on the results of the 2025 AAM Economic Impact Study, which projects the sector will contribute over $10 billion to the state's GDP by 2050.

• Network Nodes: Initial operations are slated to leverage Kansas’ eight Part 139 airports, including Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National (ICT) and Topeka Regional (FOE), as primary charging and maintenance hubs.
• Emerging Aviation Technology Working Group: This collaborative body, consisting of government, academia, and industry leaders, meets monthly to refine state-level regulations on vertiport siting and local airspace management.
• Manufacturing & MRO: Kansas is specifically targeting the AAM Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market, utilizing its existing specialized workforce to support the next generation of electric aircraft.

Pilot Programs and Manufacturer Support

Kansas’ strategy focuses on "Mission-Critical" use cases that provide immediate value to its vast rural landscape.

• Precision Agriculture: KDOT is facilitating large-scale pilot programs for drone-based crop spraying and infrastructure inspection, serving as a data foundation for larger eVTOL platforms.
• Rural Medical Access: In 2026, the state is prioritizing "Hospitals of the Future" initiatives, exploring the use of AAM to transport medical staff and critical supplies to underserved western Kansas communities.
• Research Leadership: K-State Salina and Wichita State University continue to lead FAA-funded research into Simplified Vehicle Operations (SVO) to lower the barriers to entry for new AAM pilots.

Strategic Initiatives and Resources

• Kansas AAM Roadmap & Strategy: aviation.ks.gov/aam.html
• KDOT Division of Aviation: ksdot.gov/aviation