08/18/2026
THE FUTURE OF AVIATION IS TAKING SHAPE IN LOUISIANA
A tremendous day at the Aviation Academy of Louisiana in New Iberia, bringing together government, aviation, education, and industry leaders to look at what comes next for Louisiana aviation.
DHE & Associates Aerospace Advisory Services, Aelius Exploitation Technologies, and Kent State University were proud to support the Aviation Academy of Louisiana as host for a discussion centered on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) — the emerging aviation ecosystem that combines next-generation aircraft, unmanned and autonomous systems, modern airspace integration, new infrastructure, workforce development, training, testing, and safe real-world operations.
We were honored to have Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, State Senator Blake Miguez, Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard, New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt, State Representative Beau Beaullieu, representatives from South Louisiana Community College, aviation industry partners, and other state and community leaders participate. (Facebook)
Walking through the Academy, seeing the aircraft and training facilities, and discussing Louisiana’s aviation workforce highlighted something important:
Louisiana does not have to watch the future of aviation happen somewhere else. Louisiana can help build it.
Acadiana has the aviation history, Gulf operating environment, workforce, airport infrastructure, education and training capabilities, and industry experience needed to become a meaningful location for Advanced Air Mobility development and operations.
The Aviation Academy of Louisiana can play an important role in connecting the traditional aviation community with the next generation — preparing pilots and technicians while also providing an operational environment for new aircraft, autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft, safety technologies, and future airspace concepts. The Academy’s developing AAM collaboration already identifies flight testing, workforce training, coastal operations, logistics, and emergency response as priority areas. (LaAviator.com)
A special thank you to the Aviation Academy of Louisiana team for hosting, and to Lieutenant Governor Nungesser and Louisiana’s state and local leaders for taking the time to listen, ask questions, see the capabilities firsthand, and discuss the opportunities ahead.
DHE & Associates, Aelius Exploitation Technologies, and Kent State University look forward to continuing to support this Louisiana effort.
Research. Test. Train. Operate.
That is how we turn Advanced Air Mobility from an idea into real capability — and create new opportunities for Louisiana’s communities and workforce.
The future of aviation has a home in Louisiana.
