Advanced Air Mobility has no shortage of attention. Over the past several years, the space has attracted significant investment, ambitious timelines, and a growing chorus of voices offering predictions about where the industry is headed.
That attention has helped accelerate momentum, but it has also made it harder to separate real progress from speculation.
AAM is advancing. Aircraft designs are maturing, certification pathways are clearer than they once were, and regulators and manufacturers are more aligned than they were even a few years ago. At the same time, this remains a long-cycle industry. Certification, production readiness, infrastructure development, and public acceptance all move far more slowly than software-style timelines often suggest.
Understanding where AAM truly stands requires more than headlines or optimism. It requires a grounded view of execution.
A More Realistic Lens on Progress
One perspective we’ve consistently found valuable comes from SMG Consulting, led by Sergio Cecutta. Rather than focusing on bold timelines or hype, SMG approaches AAM through a pragmatic, aerospace-driven lens.
A key output of that work is the AAM Reality Index.
The index evaluates AAM OEMs across factors that actually matter in aviation, including funding stability, leadership experience, technology maturity, certification progress, and production readiness. Each company is assessed using a consistent framework, making it easier to understand who is progressing toward viable operations and who still has significant gaps to close.
What stands out about the AAM Reality Index isn’t the ranking itself, but the structure behind it. The framework reflects a reality many in aviation already understand: success in this industry comes from steady execution across multiple fronts, not from a single breakthrough or announcement.
Why This Matters Right Now
As AAM moves from concept toward execution, realistic assessments become increasingly important. The question is no longer who has the boldest vision, but who is positioned to deliver safely, reliably, and at scale.
Frameworks like the AAM Reality Index help bring clarity to that conversation. They offer a way to discuss progress without overstating timelines or underestimating complexity.
Today, the AAM industry sits somewhere between promise and deployment. Foundational work is underway, but the most challenging phase lies ahead. The next few years will be defined by certification milestones, manufacturing maturity, operational readiness, and integration into existing transportation systems.
Clear, data-driven perspectives will play an important role in shaping expectations and guiding decisions. That’s why we continue to follow work like the AAM Reality Index as we track how this industry evolves.
