In this special episode of Aerospace Unplugged, our host Adam Kress reports on location from the inaugural American Aviation Leadership Summit hosted by Honeywell Aerospace in Washington, D.C.

The event gathered hundreds of aviation professionals, including regulators and lawmakers, for a series of panels that cover what’s needed to ensure America remains the global leader in aviation.

Throughout the day, discussions focused on major industry topics such as safety, smarter airspace management, innovation, and more—all of which are spotlighted in this episode.  

Episode Highlights:

• Modernization as the Cornerstone of American Aviation: Explore how lawmakers and industry leaders emphasized the urgent need to modernize aviation infrastructure and airspace, highlighting government and industry collaboration as essential for progress.
• Integrating New Technologies for Safety and Efficiency: Understand the critical role of airspace integration and air traffic control modernization, as discussed by expert panels, in ensuring safety and operational efficiency as advanced technologies enter the market.
• Advancing Public Acceptance and State-Level Innovation: Learn how state initiatives, such as those in Florida, are driving modernization in advanced air mobility, drones, and ATC systems, with a focus on public acceptance and regulatory adaptation.
• Regulatory Pathways and the Future of Aviation Autonomy: Dive into the evolving landscape of aviation certification, autonomy, and artificial intelligence, including insights from industry CEOs and policymakers on the regulatory needs and future trends shaping national airspace and safety.
• Here insights from: James Currier, President and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace; Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX), U.S. House Transportation Committee, Aviation Subcommittee; Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), U.S. House Transportation Committee, Aviation Subcommittee; Sharon Pinkerton, Senior Vice President, Legislative & Regulatory Policy, Airlines 4 America (A4A); Brandon Lint, Regulatory Affairs and Certification Specialist, Skygrid; David Murphy, Chief Architect and Product Manager, ANRA Technologies; Kevin Cox, CEO, Atlantic Vertiports; Justin Barkowski, Legislative and Regulatory Counsel, American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE); Clint Harper, Advanced Air Mobility Community Advocate; Jared Perdue, Secretary of Transportation, Florida Department of Transportation; Todd Sigler, Senior Director, Global Safety & Regulatory Affairs, Boeing; Eric Holmberg, Chief Developmental Test Pilot, Gulfstream; Captain Steve Jangelis, Air Safety Chair, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA); Bryan Bedford, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); Cindy Comer, Vice President, SMS, Certification & Quality, Wisk; Scott O'Brien, Vice President, Legislative Affairs, Reliable Robotics; Dómhnal Slattery, Chairman of the Board, Vertical Aerospace; Eloa Guillotin, Co-Founder & CEO, Beyond Aero; Marc Allen, CEO, Electra; Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Co-Chair, Artificial Intelligence Task Force, U.S. House of Representatives.