ReConnecTN (pronounced “reconnectin’”) is a multi-entity, cross-disciplinary coalition committed to bringing multimodal sustainable regional transportation to Tennessee. ReConnecTN partners are working together to pull passenger and cargo transportation into the third dimension by leveraging the use of regional airports, distributed electric propulsion, battery technology and automation. Together, they believe these efforts can position the Volunteer State at the forefront of innovation in the mobility, aviation, and energy sectors. The coalition will provide Tennessee residents fast, affordable, hassle-free travel with new access to economic opportunities, statewide connectivity, and energy resilience.

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Until now, Tennessee has been recognized as a state of bustling cities and rural retreats, with only traditional transportation methods to connect them all. For a state that spans a length of 440 miles, traveling across TN can be time consuming, and very few air routes currently exist to efficiently and affordably connect the state. Regional Air Mobility is increasingly seen as a potential solution to this challenge, but those within Tennessee have sought a united path forward. Today, the ReConnecTN coalition is going public at the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo, an event taking place at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN on December 5-6, 2023. 

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Hosted by TennSMART, in partnership with the State and Tennessee Clean Fuels, the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo is the premier event showcasing the latest transportation research, technologies and solutions being developed, built and deployed in the state. The event brings together transportation leaders, automotive OEMs, and industry-leading mobility and technology companies to the heart of downtown Nashville. 

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The ReConnecTN coalition has been formed to tackle five focus areas critical to the success of Regional Air Mobility: Aviation Innovations, Existing Airports, More Mobility, Economic Growth, and Energy Resilience. In June, coalition partner Whisper Aero detailed specifics of these enablement areas in its paper, “The Business Case for Regional Air Mobility at Scale.” Through careful review of this paper and a review of approaches in the Urban Air Mobility Space, it’s clear that no organization exists today that can tackle the challenge of Regional Air Mobility alone. Coalition members believe that a focused public-partnership team can take meaningful steps towards realizing the vision together.

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Aviation Innovations

Emerging aviation technologies such as distributed electric propulsion, battery technology, and automation enable quick, quiet, affordable, and safe air travel.

• Whisper Aero is developing ultra-quiet, ultra-efficient propulsion that can be integrated into next-generation regional aircraft. They have published white papers guiding an economically viable and community considerate vision for Regional Air Mobility. They have built and tested larger thrusters for regional air mobility missions.
• Reliable Robotics is building certifiable autonomy that can enable regional cargo and passenger flights over time. They are continuing to refine their core technology with proof points to drastically improve the unit economics of RAM.

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Existing Airports

There are 76 public airports in the state of TN, with capacity to service more passengers within the state. Smaller regional and municipal airports can be used to serve their communities through frequent + affordable flights, renewable energy generation, and even EV charging. 

• AvPorts is the leader in the development, operation and investment of small and mid-sized airports and military bases coast to coast. They are completing work in Connecticut (with New Haven Airport) and Virginia (in Manassas), developing regional airports to serve traditionally underserved areas or areas where access to infrastructure has historically been uneconomic for any legacy carriers.
• HOK is a design and architecture firm looking to reimagine how people view their local regional airport, from simple connection points or underutilized plots of land to prolific mobility hubs that bring economic growth to the towns and cities they serve and provide passengers with seamless, enjoyable experiences. They’ve refined regional airport concepts with Whisper Aero for high-throughput operation.
• Crossville Municipal Airport (CSV) is a regional airport located in Middle Tennessee that will have the first in-state electric charger for regional air mobility flights. They are one of three launch locations for Azure Flight Support’s Tennessee-based Part 135 charter services and is building out a flight test facility with Whisper Aero.

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More Mobility

With access to frequent, affordable, and convenient air travel, Tennessee residents will be able to more freely choose where to live, work, and play. Bringing Regional Air Mobility to Tennessee will enable increased connectivity between East, Middle, and West regions.

• TDOT is Tennessee’s Department of Transportation. JP Saalwaechter and Christopher Starr of the Aeronautics division have been convening public-private meetings to catalyze advanced air mobility in Tennessee.
• JSX is a hop-on jet service that's faster on the ground and more comfortable in the air. They have one of the largest regional air charter services in the US and are interested in how new aviation innovations can enable future regional air mobility with an emphasis on passenger experience.
• Azure Flight Support is an airport management company based in TN. In September they acquired a Part 135 charter company to start charter operations initially out of Greeneville (GCY), Crossville (CSV) and Smyrna (MQY) aboard 8-14 passenger corporate turboprop and jet aircraft.

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Economic Growth

Through academic, industrial, and government efforts to make Regional Air Mobility a reality in Tennessee, there is potential for the creation of tens of thousands of jobs across the state over the next decade.

• Tennessee Tech produces practical, ready-to-work graduates from a broad range of academic disciplines prepared to compete in a technologically driven world. They are collaborating with Whisper on a 123,000 sqft Electric Vehicle incubation center in Crossville, TN that used to be the former Trade-A-Plane Building.
• Crossville Economic Chamber of Commerce focuses on existing industry success, recruitment of new industrial and business opportunities, workforce development, tourism promotion and new resident recruitment for Crossville-Cumberland County. They are working together with Whisper Aero, TNTech, and the state to help coordinate state and local efforts.  
• TN Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) helps attract investment and expansions to make TN #1 in the Southeast for high quality jobs. In September 2023, they announced the rollout of the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity Initiative, focused on making Tennessee the No. 1 destination in the Southeast for mobility R&D investment.

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Energy Resilience

Sustainable energy sources and access to charging enables future air and ground mobility to-and-from regional airports. 

• Oak Ridge National Labs is the world’s premier research institution, empowering leaders and teams to pursue breakthroughs in an environment marked by operational excellence and engagement with the communities where we live and work. They are continuing to advance charging and energy technologies for the American industrial base.
• PowerUp America is building an EV charging network in airports across TN to support mobility in the state, for both cars and aircraft. They are targeting 10 strategic locations for high powered charging infrastructure to make TN the first state-wide network catered to all mobility providers.