SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — [MAY 28, 2026] — As the Federal Aviation Administration continues advancing the regulatory framework for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE) is expanding the real-world test environment companies need to move from promising technology to operational reality.
Located in Springfield, Ohio, NAAMCE is the only facility in the United States offering an end-to-end build-test-fly ecosystem, combining National Airspace System (NAS) access at altitudes up to 18,000 feet, BVLOS operations without chase planes, and a fully integrated ground infrastructure under one coordinated partner network.
This singular combination eliminates the fragmented, multi-vendor approach that has historically slowed AAM innovators from moving ideas to certification. Speed to commercialization matters even more as the path toward routine BVLOS operations, certification readiness and commercial scale comes into sharper focus.
For companies developing next-generation aircraft and supporting systems, the challenge is no longer simply proving that technology can fly. The challenge is proving that it can perform reliably, safely and repeatedly in the environments where commercial operations will actually happen. With growing demand from UAS manufacturers, eVTOL developers, and aerospace R&D teams, NAAMCE is focused on giving innovators a more complete environment for development, validation and operational readiness.
“Advanced air mobility is moving into a more operational phase,” said NAAMCE Executive Director Ted Angel. “The industry needs more than vision and prototypes. It needs places where companies can test in real conditions, generate meaningful data, and prepare for the regulatory and operational demands of scale. That is the role NAAMCE is built to serve.”
NAAMCE’s integrated infrastructure supports every stage of AAM development. Innovators on-site gain access to aircraft component and system validation, vertiport and charging infrastructure, hangar and office space, sensor arrays, system integration environments, and ground-based detect-and-avoid infrastructure. Coordinated agency approvals and a trusted partner network spanning government, academia, original equipment manufacturers, and research institutions further reduce the time and cost to reach certification readiness.
Backed by more than a decade of proven BVLOS operations and rooted in Ohio’s deep aviation legacy, NAAMCE draws on statewide and federal collaboration to support the full commercialization pipeline, from early-stage validation through NAS-ready flight operations. The facility’s high-altitude testing capability offers levels of operational realism unavailable in any other civilian-accessible environment in the country.
Ohio has emerged as one of the country’s most active states in advanced air mobility, and NAAMCE is an important part of that momentum. By bringing together public and private partners in one operating environment, NAAMCE gives innovators a practical place to answer the questions that determine whether a technology is ready for broader adoption. The center also connects companies to economic development resources, workforce development pipelines and research partnerships.
“Ohio’s aviation roots run deep, and NAAMCE is the next chapter,” said Angel. “We are operational, proven, and ready to support the companies shaping the future of flight.”
AAM innovators and prospective partners are invited to schedule a Discovery Call or Strategic Briefing to explore how NAAMCE’s build-test-fly ecosystem can accelerate their path to market. Learn more at naamce.com.