Board hears report on eVTOL pilot program and potential local economic opportunities

A board member briefed the Hurricane Airport Board on an advanced air mobility summit he attended in Salt Lake, saying the FAA has approved eight locations for an eVTOL integrated pilot program and Utah is one of them. The member described a strong statewide push—with governor and DOT coordination—to develop infrastructure, routes and standards ahead of the 2035 Olympics and to attract manufacturers and grant funding.

The presenter said manufacturers discussed both vertical and horizontal electric aircraft, some using hybrid designs, and emphasized that the technology is already flying in other countries and parts of the U.S. “The FAA approved 8 places, Utah being one of those 8 in the United States,” he said, adding that companies are interested in southern Utah for manufacturing because of sunshine, available land and regional testing space.

Board members flagged workforce and training as a central constraint: local colleges and technical schools will need to create programs in electronics, fabrication and maintenance to supply a skilled labor pool. One member urged outreach to city council and local economic-development partners to position Hurricane to compete for grant and grant-linked manufacturing opportunities. Members also discussed Joby Aviation by name as a leading company in the space and noted existing regional ties through training providers.

Discussion touched on potential local uses—tourism flights, firefighting, medical and search-and-rescue missions—and on practical concerns including noise, insurance and FAA integration of air traffic. The presenter suggested the city would need to signal interest to secure grant funding and to add the airport to pilot-program conversations.

Next steps: board members said staff or interested board members could present to city council and invite state and industry stakeholders for a follow-up briefing to explore grants, workforce partnerships and potential site requirements.