Cork, a 5,000-year-old material, is emerging as a critical enabler for advanced air mobility. From NASA spacecraft to BMW EVs and the future of eVTOLs, this podcast episode reveals cork’s extraordinary performance, sustainability, and growing role in the world’s most innovative transportation solutions.
Sustainable aviation fuel offers a near-term solution to decarbonize aviation by replacing fossil jet fuel with renewable alternatives. Technologies like hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids and alcohol-to-jet are scaling up, supported by industry leaders and government policies aimed at net-zero emissions.
The AAM Master Class Rome 2025 launches this September at Rome Fiumicino Airport, offering a comprehensive training experience on electric vertical takeoff and landing, infrastructure, energy systems, and regulations. Designed for airport officials and aviation professionals, this 2.5-day master class provides practical insights, networking opportunities, and CPD certification.
While ElectricAirMobility.news began with a focus on advanced air mobility, the electric revolution extends across air, sea, and land. The Port of Los Angeles recently announced a landmark $160 million contract to deploy hybrid-electric tugboats, underscoring electrification’s expanding footprint. This milestone reflects the growing convergence of electric mobility modes, collectively shaping a cleaner, more efficient transportation future.
Big things are coming! ElectricAirMobility.news is migrating to a new domain and hosting platform to bring you an even better experience. We’ll be back by September 16–17 with expanded coverage—including electric maritime, railroads, and more. Stay tuned!
In part two of his conversation on reinventing airports, Clint Harper explores how aviation infrastructure can transform into multi-modal mobility hubs. By linking air taxis with rail, buses, and micromobility, airports can serve as true connectors in sustainable transport networks.
In advanced air mobility, communication and marketing are not the same — and the order matters. Electric Air Mobility, LLC explains why starting with a clear, authentic story builds trust and makes marketing work harder, and how our AAM Masterclass helps airport executives prepare for the future of flight.
On August 12, 2025, SolarStratos made history as pilot Raphaël Domjan soared to 9,521 meters using only solar energy. This landmark flight demonstrates the potential of electric and solar-powered aviation to reach airliner altitudes, pushing the boundaries of clean, silent, and sustainable air mobility. The milestone underscores a promising future for decarbonized flight inspired by renewable energy innovation.
In this episode of The Ways We Move podcast, Clint Harper, a military airport manager and urban planner, explores how airports can embrace advanced air mobility and evolve into multi-modal hubs. Learn how resilient infrastructure, community engagement, and smart economics can help airports lead the way in supporting electric aviation and regional connectivity.
There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
In this special episode of The Ways We Move, I have the privilege of sitting down with Rex Alexander, an old friend and one of the most respected professionals working in aviation infrastructure today, building the future of advanced air mobility (AAM). Rex is the founder of Five Alpha, also known as Mr. Infrastructure, a title that fits his great knowledge of the industry. With military aviation and helicopter, emergency, ambulance, and commercial aviation expertise, he has become the person industry leaders call when they need honest answers and trusted guidance on heliports, vertiports, and the rapidly growing world of multiport operations.
We reflect on how far the conversation around infrastructure has come since 2018, when the standards and policies governing heliport and vertiport operations truly began to evolve. Rex shares his first-hand perspective on the long series of meetings with the FAA and other agencies, collaborations that have helped push standards forward and align policies across not only the United States, but also Europe and global regulatory bodies such as EASA and ICAO. As regulations move forward, the need for common frameworks and mutual recognition becomes more urgent.
The discussion explores the practical realities behind the promise of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL), and finally, electric conventional take-off and landing (eCTOL). We highlight the difference between prototype and commercial certification, the integration of the various aircraft operations, and the harmonization of air traffic as great challenges, as well as the keys to real-world deployment. Rex explains why the United States faces particularly complex hurdles; land use and infrastructure oversight are split between federal, state, and municipal authorities, creating a patchwork of rules and requirements. In contrast, many other countries have much more centralized systems, which can streamline progress but also present new sets of questions.
Rex and I talk about the crucial roles regional airports play, especially as the industry looks beyond just vertiport sites and envisions multiport networks. These will enable not only eVTOLs but also eSTOL and eCTOL aircraft, paving the way for a more holistic and inclusive system of operations. Rex emphasizes that success in building AAM infrastructure is not just about engineering or policy, but about understanding what each community and operator truly needs.
Throughout our conversation, it becomes clear that municipal engagement is essential. The future of flight will depend on strong partnerships at every level, and cities must be included in the vision from day one. As Rex says, we need solutions that are practical, scalable, and shaped by the realities on the ground.
Rex’s journey began early, with his hands on flight controls before he turned fifteen, moving through fixed wing and rotorcraft, from military service to the offshore sector, and finally, to leading the charge on infrastructure best practices that have become industry standards. He is someone who brings not just technical expertise but a sense of stewardship for safety, reliability, and the broader mission of connecting people through aviation.
There is no shortcut to building trust in a field as safety-critical as aviation. Voices like Rex’s—honest, experienced, and deeply committed—are essential as we create infrastructure that will sustain the next generation of aviation. Our conversation is full of insight on where we are, how we got here, and what it will take to ensure AAM infrastructure serves everyone: operators, regulators, and the communities we all aim to connect.
We wrap up part one, looking forward to future episodes where we continue the discussion on global standards, community engagement, and what it means to build for longevity rather than hype. Rex, thank you for the work you do, for your guidance, and for always taking my calls when I need answers that cut through the noise.
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