News & Insights
Salas O’Brien experts explore the infrastructure powering advanced air mobility
Jim Sutton and Phillip Sutherland discuss the charging, electrification, and engineering systems needed to support the next generation of air transportation at the Project Alta Summit.
Advanced air mobility is rapidly moving from concept to reality, bringing new opportunities and infrastructure challenges to the aviation industry. Including technologies such as electric air taxis and drone delivery systems, this emerging transportation model depends on reliable power, charging, and resilient facility infrastructure to operate at scale.
At the Project Alta Summit in Salt Lake City, Utah, Salas O’Brien’s Jim Sutton, executive consultant, and Phillip Sutherland, PE, Principal, join industry leaders to discuss what it takes to support the next generation of advanced air mobility systems. Their session, The Charging, Electrification, and Engineering to Power AAM (Advanced Air Mobility), takes place on May 27 at 2:30 p.m. MST, with Sutton serving as moderator and Sutherland speaking on the infrastructure and electrification challenges shaping the future of the market.
As advanced air mobility continues to evolve, infrastructure planning is becoming a critical part of the conversation. Electrical capacity, charging strategies, grid coordination, resiliency, and facility integration all play a role in preparing airports, cities, and operators for emerging aircraft technologies and changing energy demands.
Phillip brings a forward-looking perspective through his experience helping clients prepare for the next generation of infrastructure across the aviation sector. His work focuses on electrification, EV charging, power distribution, and resilient facility design, helping clients navigate emerging technologies and practical implementation challenges.
Jim focuses on helping federal, state, and local governments optimize built infrastructure and create new capabilities efficiently, affordably, and with minimal impact on taxpayers. After retiring from the US Air Force as a Colonel, he continued his career as an Air Force senior civilian. Jim now serves Salas O’Brien’s federal business and consults with past partners on far-ranging projects.
About Project Alta Summit
The Project Alta Summit convenes the leaders building and enabling Advanced Air Mobility in a working summit focused on scaling aircraft production and activating the infrastructure required for deployment. Industry, public-sector, and ecosystem partners will align strategy, strengthen the industrial base, and accelerate real-world progress. Learn more here.
About Salas O’Brien
Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact®, helping clients solve complex engineering challenges with a focus on efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability, while advancing our team members through growth and opportunity. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.