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US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has announced the selection of eight proposals as part of the new Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
The programme, which is the first of its kind, will seek to accelerate the integration of next-generation Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the national airspace.
In total, the eight selected projects span 26 states and involve aircraft manufacturers, operators, and state partners, all including a range of operational concepts, such as:
- Urban air taxi services
- Regional passenger transportation (including short Takeoff and Landing aircraft)
- Cargo and logistics networks
- Emergency medical response operations
- Autonomous flight technologies
- Offshore and energy-sector transportation
All eight pilot projects are planned to come together to create one of the largest international testing environments for next-generation aircraft, with all data set to be used by the FAA to develop new regulations that safety enable the technology at scale.
Operations under the programme are set to begin by summer 2026.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:
Congratulations to the great American innovators behind each of these exciting pilot programs. Working together, we will ensure America leads the way in safely leveraging next-gen aircraft to radically redefine personal travel, regional transportation, cargo logistics, emergency medicine, and so much more.
The projects chosen to participate in the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program are as follows:
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Multiple industry partners will collaborate on 12 different operational concepts across New England, including eVTOL passenger operations at the Manhattan heliport.
Partners: Archer, BETA, Electra, Joby
Texas Department of Transportation
Industry partners will support regional flights connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and eventually Houston, with air taxi networks expanding from each city to extend regional reach.
Partners: Archer, BETA, Joby, Wisk
Utah Department of Transportation
Four states spanning the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Plains of Oklahoma will test a wide range of next-generation aircraft and operational concepts.
Partners: Ampaire, BETA, Joby, Other
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The NASAO AAM Multistate Collaborative will work across 13 states to revitalize regional flights across the country, including routes similar to those supported through the Essential Air Service program.
Partners: BETA, Electra, Other
Louisiana
Operations will test cargo and personnel transportation capabilities to enable flights over the high seas into the Gulf of America and to energy industry locations in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
Partners: BETA, Elroy Air, Other
Florida Department of Transportation
A statewide effort featuring multiple industry partners will include three phases of operations focused on cargo delivery, passenger transportation, automation, and medical response, supported by significant public and private investment.
Partners: Archer, BETA, Electra, Joby, Other
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Working with industry partners to establish piloted medical and regional operations across the state while also developing an autonomous flight operation extending into Virginia.
Partners: BETA, Joby, Other
City of Albuquerque
A focused project designed to achieve early advances in autonomous operations through an existing partnership with an advanced autonomy developer already operating in the region and coordinating with the FAA
