On The Ways We Move podcast, guest Rex Alexander talks about how advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure is changing how we see and conceptualize urban air mobility (UAM) and regional air travel, challenges, regulatory updates. Most importantly, a strong, safe, and robust infrastructure will allow for a cleaner and more efficient future of air travel. Find out more about what the future of air travel looks like from Mr. Infrastructure himself!
Joby Aviation’s acquisition of Blade Air Mobility’s passenger business marks a major step in expanding urban air mobility infrastructure. This strategic move brings Joby closer to operational passenger hubs, accelerating the rollout of electric air taxis in key global markets.
The FAA’s MOSAIC modernizes the path for light sport and electric aircraft by removing outdated weight and speed limits and expanding eligible designs. This article explains how the new rule benefits advanced air mobility, supports pilot training, and prepares the industry for a new era of clean, affordable aviation.
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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From the moment I first connected with SkyDrive, I sensed they were onto something transformative. By forging deep partnerships with Japan’s leading rail operators, SkyDrive is maximizing the efficiency and reach of urban air mobility—creating seamless, short-hop connections that complement the country’s world-class public transit. Their strategy isn’t just smart; it’s a blueprint for how UAM can truly thrive in dense, transit-rich cities.
FlyNow Aviation, co-founded by Yvonne Winter, is transforming urban air mobility with its modular, cost-effective eCopter and a business model focused on making 3D mobility as affordable as a taxi ride. With a pragmatic approach to automation and a focus on real-world impact, FlyNow is poised to bring electric vertical flight to cities worldwide.
There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
As advanced air mobility (AAM) continues to connect cities, airports, and communities with electric and autonomous aircraft, the issue of cybersecurity takes center stage. In a recent episode of The Ways We Move podcast, I sat down with AJ Khan, CEO of Vehiqilla, to explore the critical challenges and solutions for securing every link in the mobility chain, from the individual user to the aircraft, airport, and beyond.
The aviation industry is in the midst of a digital transformation. From cloud-based flight planning to real-time passenger services and predictive maintenance, nearly every aspect of modern aviation now depends on interconnected digital systems. This connectivity brings efficiency and innovation, but also exposes new vulnerabilities. In 2025, cyberattacks on airlines and airports are at an all-time high, with incidents ranging from ransomware and data breaches to denial-of-service attacks that can disrupt operations and compromise safety.
AAM magnifies these risks. Unlike traditional aviation, AAM ecosystems are deeply integrated, blending cloud software, autonomy algorithms, aircraft hardware, and ground infrastructure. Every node—from user devices and mobile apps to vertiports and third-party service providers—represents a potential entry point for cyber threats.
AJ Khan emphasized that cybersecurity in AAM is not just about protecting the aircraft. “We have to secure the entire journey,” he explained. This means considering:
Airports and Vertiports: As critical infrastructure, airports are increasingly targeted by hackers seeking to disrupt operations or gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
Cloud and Third-Party Providers: Many AAM operations depend on cloud-based services for navigation, scheduling, and maintenance. A vulnerability in any provider can ripple across the ecosystem.
Recent years have seen a surge in aviation-related cyber incidents. From ransomware attacks that lock airport systems to GPS spoofing and communication interference, the risks are both diverse and growing. In 2024, for example, a cyberattack on Germany’s air traffic control agency disrupted IT infrastructure, while similar attacks have targeted airports across Asia and the Middle East.
The consequences are not limited to inconvenience. In AAM, where autonomy and safety intersect in dense urban environments, a single cyber failure can quickly become a safety-of-life event. A compromised scheduler could ground an entire fleet, while a spoofed GPS signal might steer an aircraft into restricted airspace.
Khan and I discussed the urgent need for a comprehensive, end-to-end approach to cybersecurity in AAM. This means:
Continuous Monitoring and Improvement: Regularly updating and patching software, monitoring for suspicious activity, and learning from incidents to strengthen defenses.
Industry Collaboration: Sharing threat intelligence and best practices across manufacturers, operators, airports, and regulators to stay ahead of evolving threats.
While regulatory bodies like the FAA, EASA, and ICAO have established cybersecurity standards for traditional aviation, these frameworks often fall short for AAM and autonomous operations. The complexity of distributed, highly automated systems requires new approaches—such as adopting the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and developing standards tailored to AAM’s unique needs.
Ultimately, the success of advanced air mobility depends on trust. Passengers, operators, and the public must have confidence that every part of the system—from user apps to aircraft and airports—is secure. As Khan noted, “Cybersecurity is not just an IT issue; it’s a safety and trust issue at the heart of the AAM revolution.”
As we look to a future where urban skies are filled with electric and autonomous aircraft, robust cybersecurity will be the foundation that enables safe, efficient, and resilient mobility for all.
Listen to the full conversation with AJ Khan of Vehiqilla on The Ways We Move podcast for deeper insights into the challenges and opportunities of cybersecurity in advanced air mobility.
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