Ohio lawmakers tout leadership in advanced air mobility after passage of House Resolution 304
March 06, 2026 | Economic and Workforce Development, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Ohio
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
State Representative Bernie Willis and State Representative Adam Holmes said House Resolution 304 is intended to signal Ohio s full support for Federal Aviation Administration pilot projects to integrate advanced air mobility technologies into the national airspace.
On the "Message from the House" podcast, Willis said Ohio has built a decade-long foundation in unmanned aircraft systems and related research, including a statewide center that has grown into a national advanced air mobility center of excellence at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. "We re going to fund it ourselves," Willis said of early state investments that later attracted Air Force and research-lab partnerships.
The representatives described a four-state regional proposal — Ohio partnered with Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky — that they say would make the region a demonstration focal point for cargo and passenger use cases, from prescriptions and groceries to urgent medical transfers. "Those technologies are not just coming. They re already here," Willis said, adding that the FAA is now looking for areas to prove integration of larger unmanned devices and new aircraft.
Holmes highlighted local assets that he said make Ohio a logical choice for demonstrations, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA research, and pointed to manufacturing activity such as Joby s facilities in the Dayton area and other companies testing aircraft and charging networks. "It s an economic driver for this state," Holmes said.
The lawmakers explained technical and regulatory challenges the FAA must address, especially authorizations for operations beyond visual line of sight. Willis described a range of aircraft sizes and control modes that must be coordinated safely: "Think of all the different sizes from ones you can hold in your hands to ones as big as airplanes," he said. The podcast discussion also referenced existing regulatory thresholds and consumer-facing possibilities for small privately owned aircraft.
Speakers credited state leadership and budget decisions that placed aviation and aerospace work inside the Ohio Department of Transportation as a program of record, naming Bob Tanner as the ODOT lead who has FAA expertise. They also pointed to research and training capacity at Ohio State, Bowling Green and Kent State and to local airports in most Ohio counties as infrastructure assets that support testing and manufacturing.
Willis characterized House Resolution 304 as a unanimous expression of support meant to strengthen Ohio s relationship with the FAA and to demonstrate unified state advocacy for selection as a test region. He emphasized that the resolution expresses support rather than changing federal rules.
The podcast concluded with the representatives reiterating Ohio s historical and present aviation role and encouraging listener follow-up on the Ohio House social channels. No FAA selection decision timeline was announced on the program.
On the "Message from the House" podcast, Willis said Ohio has built a decade-long foundation in unmanned aircraft systems and related research, including a statewide center that has grown into a national advanced air mobility center of excellence at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport. "We re going to fund it ourselves," Willis said of early state investments that later attracted Air Force and research-lab partnerships.
The representatives described a four-state regional proposal — Ohio partnered with Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky — that they say would make the region a demonstration focal point for cargo and passenger use cases, from prescriptions and groceries to urgent medical transfers. "Those technologies are not just coming. They re already here," Willis said, adding that the FAA is now looking for areas to prove integration of larger unmanned devices and new aircraft.
Holmes highlighted local assets that he said make Ohio a logical choice for demonstrations, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA research, and pointed to manufacturing activity such as Joby s facilities in the Dayton area and other companies testing aircraft and charging networks. "It s an economic driver for this state," Holmes said.
The lawmakers explained technical and regulatory challenges the FAA must address, especially authorizations for operations beyond visual line of sight. Willis described a range of aircraft sizes and control modes that must be coordinated safely: "Think of all the different sizes from ones you can hold in your hands to ones as big as airplanes," he said. The podcast discussion also referenced existing regulatory thresholds and consumer-facing possibilities for small privately owned aircraft.
Speakers credited state leadership and budget decisions that placed aviation and aerospace work inside the Ohio Department of Transportation as a program of record, naming Bob Tanner as the ODOT lead who has FAA expertise. They also pointed to research and training capacity at Ohio State, Bowling Green and Kent State and to local airports in most Ohio counties as infrastructure assets that support testing and manufacturing.
Willis characterized House Resolution 304 as a unanimous expression of support meant to strengthen Ohio s relationship with the FAA and to demonstrate unified state advocacy for selection as a test region. He emphasized that the resolution expresses support rather than changing federal rules.
The podcast concluded with the representatives reiterating Ohio s historical and present aviation role and encouraging listener follow-up on the Ohio House social channels. No FAA selection decision timeline was announced on the program.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
