The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have selected eight pilot projects to advance real-world testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, commonly dubbed "flying taxis." The initiative, part of the Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), aims to integrate next-generation aircraft into the national aviation system by 2026.
Spanning 26 states, the projects will explore urban air taxi services, cargo delivery, and emergency medical response. Key participants include the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which plans to test air taxi routes connecting Manhattan to regional airports, and Texas’ transportation department, which will develop flight corridors linking Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston. Beta Technologies, a Vermont-based manufacturer, will lead seven of the eight programs, prioritizing medical logistics and cargo before expanding to passenger services.
Federal authorities emphasized the program’s focus on safety and infrastructure, with trials evaluating vertiport design and wind management for aircraft exceeding 599 kg. Data collected over the three-year study period will inform permanent regulations for pilot certification and air traffic control. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that initial operations could begin as early as summer 2026, marking a pivotal step toward redefining urban mobility.
