About Shore to Soar

Cape May County’s Emerging Aviation Forum

Cape May County’s Emerging Aviation Forum

A Unique Aviation Environment

Located at the southern tip of New Jersey, Cape May County offers rare access to some of the most diverse and flexible airspace in the Northeast. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Delaware Bay to the west, and drone-friendly counties to the north, the region supports coastal, rural, maritime, agricultural, and transportation-focused aviation operations within a single geography.

This unique mix of environments creates real-world conditions for testing, collaboration, and deployment, making Cape May County an ideal setting for emerging aviation technologies.

From UAS to Emerging Aviation

Shore to Soar is the evolution of the long-running Cape May UAS Forum. What began as a small gathering of innovators has grown into a regional platform engaging participants from across New Jersey and neighboring states.

The refreshed forum reflects a broader focus beyond traditional UAS, encompassing autonomy, advanced air mobility, and the future of aviation. Shore to Soar remains grounded in practical application, convening stakeholders who are shaping how these technologies move from concept to operation.

A Strong Regional Ecosystem

Cape May County benefits from proximity to the Cape Atlantic FAA Test Range and strong partnerships with academic, research, and workforce institutions across the state. These relationships support applied research and cross-sector collaboration.

The County also maintains active coordination with federal, state, and local agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, New Jersey State Police, and NJDOT. As a designated Coast Guard Community, Cape May County plays a unique role in maritime aviation and coastal operations.

Forum Programming

Shore to Soar is a facilitated aviation forum that brings together industry leaders, innovators, public agencies, and operators to advance real-world use cases and operational readiness. Forum programming focuses on:

• Regulatory and policy pathways for BVLOS and NAS integration
• Public safety, maritime, and coastal operations
• Airspace management, corridor architecture, and operational infrastructure
• Industry use case validation and operator onboarding
• Applied research, data capture, and FAA engagement
• Moderated roundtable discussions to align stakeholders on priorities, challenges, and next steps

Looking Ahead

Shore to Soar reflects Cape May County’s continued commitment to collaboration, innovation, and responsible aviation growth. From shoreline to sky, the forum serves as a convening point for ideas, partnerships, and technologies shaping the next chapter of aviation in the region and beyond.