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Proposals selected for US advanced air mobility pilot
Eight pilot projects announced by Federal Aviation Administration will create one of the largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft.
At a glance
Who: US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); US Department of Transportation (US DoT).
What: FAA and US DoT has named eight proposals that were selected as part of the brand-new Advanced Air Mobility and Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Programme (eIPP).
Why: To accelerate the safe integration of next-generation advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft into the national airspace and ensuring the US leads the way in aviation innovation.
Where: The tool is being trialled over the next twelve months.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and US Department of Transportation has named eight proposals that were selected as part of the brand-new Advanced Air Mobility and Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Programme (eIPP).
This first-of-its-kind programme, which was outlined in the US administration’s Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order, aims to accelerate the safe integration of next-generation advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft into the national airspace and ensuring the US leads the way in aviation innovation.
Futuristic technology at scale
Together, the FAA claims the pilot projects will create one of the largest real-world testing environments for next-generation aircraft in the world. Data from the pilot projects will be used by the FAA to develop new regulations that safely enable this futuristic technology at scale. The American public will start to see operations begin under this programme by summer 2026.
The eight selected projects span 26 states and involve leading aircraft manufacturers, operators, and state partners. They include a range of operational concepts, including:
- 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.
“These partnerships will help us better understand how to safely and efficiently integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System,” said FAA deputy administrator Chris Rocheleau. “The programme will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe advanced air mobility operations. We appreciate the strong interest reflected in the many proposals we received.”
“These partnerships will help us better understand how to safely and efficiently integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System”
The following projects were selected to participate in the eVTOL Integration Pilot programme:
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
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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 revitalise regional flights across the country, including routes similar to those supported through the Essential Air Service programme.
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.
“The programme will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe advanced air mobility operations”
The Advanced Air Mobility and eVTOL Integration Pilot Programme (e-IPP) received more than 30 proposals from across the country. Submissions were evaluated by a technical review team from DoT and FAA.
Proposals were assessed based on their ability to accelerate the integration of advanced air mobility aircraft, the breadth of operational concepts proposed, potential regulatory and policy insights, experience in aircraft development or manufacturing, and the strength of industry, academic, and government partnerships.
Following this review process, the eight projects listed above were selected to advance the next phase of the programme.
Why not try these links to see what our SmartCitiesWorld AI can tell you.
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How will FAA use pilot data to update AAM safety regulations?How can eVTOL operations integrate with existing air traffic control systems?How will urban air taxi services ensure equitable access across communities?How will autonomous flight technologies maintain cybersecurity and operational safety?How will regional cargo networks demonstrate economic viability and scalability?AAMAir traveleconomic developmenteVTOLGovernance and CitizenHealth & Social CareinclusivitylogisticsmobilityPeople and SkillsPublic-private partnershipsregulationUAM
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